A Weekend in DC

It's been years since I've been in DC over a weekend. I'd forgotten how much there is to see and do here.

My friend (and non-LJ'er) Aaron lives just one Metro stop away from the hotel so we started the Saturday excursion having lunch then heading to the National Archives. One of my instructors practically demanded the class go to see the Constitution, so that was our first stop. It was incredible to see Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and the Declaration of Independence at one time, it really brings a connection to the past. We saw many other archived documents too, including Edison's patent for the light bulb and the land deed to property for Charles Ingalls (of Little House on the Prairie stories).

After the Archives, we ventured to a new museum, the Newseum, which deals all about the news, the history of the news, including papers, the internet, reporters and photographers. It was a neat museum, very historic and modern at the same time. My favorite exhibits were the 4D movie (3D with a vibrating seat and air effects) about the more interesting side of historical reporting, and the Pulitzer Prize Photograph exhibit, which was eerie. The photographs were so powerful, very moving, and there was very little speaking in the area. It felt almost like church.

After the Newseum closed, we ventured to the Smithsonian American Art Museum and Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery to walk around. We saw a new arboretum in the museum, some really cool architecture, and cool modern art, as well as the portraits of course. I have to admit that I liked the modern art the best, including a very large sculpture of a jack and a modern light/video pieces of the United States, where each state had video representation. Of course, I had to check out Kentucky and I enjoyed the ones for Kansas and Idaho.

Sunday, Aaron and I head back downtown to see the The National Museum of Crime and Punishment, another new museum about the history of crime, crimefighting, and even the set of America's Most Wanted. Torture devices, forensic science and serial killers, oh my...

I took tons of photos and posted a set of them here.