The recent gathering of Aramco annuitants in Washington, DC in celebration of visit of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman reminded us of what an enjoyable experience a visit to the nation's capital can be. There is so much to see and do, the biggest problem you will face as a visitor will be choosing what to do and what to leave out. In addition to countless museums and historical sites to visit, there are events of interest to match nearly anyone's taste going on year round.
In the days preceding the King's visit, an interest in genealogy took me to the National Archives and the Library of Congress, where the staff could not possibly have been more helpful and friendly pointing me in the right direction in my search for information about my forebears. If you're a dyed-in-the-wool bibliophile, the LOC has the largest collection of books in the world. It's said that if you can't find the volume you're looking for there, it likely doesn't exist. The building itself is a national treasure, and guided tours are available. On display are such items as an original Gutenberg Bible, dating from the 1450s and the first major work printed using movable type. For more information on the Library of Congress, visit:
For more information on the National Archives in Washington, DC, visit:
(Note: The National Archives operates Regional centers around the country; depending on what you're interested in, the materials you seek might be held in an archive in the related region.) If you're not a bookworm and want to explore the great outdoors, the DC area offers a variety of choices. Two of the most popular are the National Mall and Memorial Parks and the Arlington National Cemetery.
Major features found in the National Mall include the Washington Monument, the American History Museum, the Natural History Museum, the National Gallery, the original Smithsonian Castle, the Air and Space Museum, the American Indian Museum and much more. Among the many fascinating aircraft on display in the Air and Space Museum are the original Wright Flyer, the plane the Wright Brothers flew at Kitty Hawk, ushering in the Age of Flight, the "Spirit of St. Louis," flown by Charles Lindberg on the first trans-Atlantic non-stop flight, and an original Otto Lilienthal glider, the first mass-production aircraft. Arguably the most famous item in the Natural History Museum's vast collection is the fabled 45.52 carat Hope Diamond—the world's largest deep blue diamond. Legend holds that its previous owner, the noted New York jeweler Harry Winston, mailed the diamond to the Smithsonian via registered mail using the U.S. Postal Service. Three of the main attractions of the Memorial Park are the Lincoln Memorial, the Jefferson Memorial and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. For information on the National Mall and Memorial Parks and the 22 other parks operated by the National Park Service in the DC area, visit:
Developed on land originally donated by Confederate General Robert E. Lee, Arlington National Cemetery has a rich history as the final resting place for many of America's most famous soldiers and statesmen. The changing of the guard ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is a moving experience not to be missed. Guided tours are available. If you are there to visit a specific grave, a free shuttle service is offered from the main visitors center. For information on Arlington National Cemetery, visit:
In subsequent articles on visiting Washington, DC, we will be discussing visiting the White House and the National Capitol, as well as reviewing special events scheduled for the upcoming fall and winter months.