Three DC "Must See's" Last week readers were offered advice on places to see and things to do on a visit to Washington, DC. Nothing was said, however, about the American capital's three most famous sites: the Capitol Building, where Congress meets, the White House, where the President lives and the Washington Monument, where memories of the nation's first president, George Washington, live on. Today we fill in those three most important missing pieces.
The Capitol One of the best-known and architecturally-impressive buildings in the world, the neoclassical United States Capitol in Washington, DC has been home to the House of Representatives and Senate for over two centuries. In that time it has been built, set on fire, rebuilt, restored and expanded. George Washington laid the cornerstone in September 1793 to great ceremony and fanfare. The houses of Congress first convened in what is today the Senate (north) wing in 1800. Construction proceeded slowly in the following years, and in 1814 invading British troops set fire to the Capitol, as well as to the White House and other major government buildings. Construction was finally completed in 1826. In 1850, future President of the Confederacy Jefferson Davis, a U.S. Senator at the time, introduced a bill authorizing the funding of a major expansion of the Capitol, including. construction of the cast-iron dome that dominates the building today. Work on the expansion continued through the Civil War years and was completed in 1868. The architecture and decoration of the Capital are derived from classic themes dating to ancient Greece, the birthplace of democracy, and to Rome, the source of myriad streams of history and culture that still influence us today.
U.S. Capitol Building Information
The U.S. Capitol has been called the "Nation's Stage," and with good reason. Plan ahead on your next visit to Washington and see for yourself why. Admission to the Capitol is free. Passes are required if you want to take a tour. You will need to reserve your tour in advance either through the Advance Reservation System or through the office of one of your Senators or your Representative.
Capitol Tour Booking Information
The White House George Washington selected the site for the White House in 1791, and the cornerstone was laid a year later. Washington insisted on a design that would impress foreign visitors with its magnificence. President John Adams and his wife, Abigail, became the first presidential occupants in 1800, although the house remained unfinished at the time. Every American president since Adams has lived in the White House for at least part of his administration. During the War of 1812, British troops ransacked and set fire to the White House, but not before Dolley Madison, wife of James Madison, saved a famous full-length portrait of George Washington while leaving the first couple's personal belongings behind. By 1817, the White House was restored, and President James Monroe moved in. Subsequent significant additions were made to the White House during the administrations of presidents Monroe, Andrew Jackson, Theodore Roosevelt and William Howard Taft. It was Taft who had constructed the famous Oval Office. Subsequent major renovations were undertaken during the administrations of Harry Truman and John Kennedy. If you can't make it to DC anytime soon and can't wait to visit the White House, you can take a virtual tour made possible by 360 Street View cameras that capture the rooms you would otherwise visit on a walking tour.
To take a walking tour in person, you must submit a tour request through your Member of Congress. Self-guided tours are available from 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Tuesday through Thursday, and 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Tours are scheduled on a first come, first served basis. Requests must be made no less than 21 days in advance and up to six months in advance. Space is limited, so it is suggested that you schedule your tour as far in advance as possible.
Washington Monument The 555-foot white marble obelisk known as the Washington Monument is universally recognized around the world. Built the honor America's first president, the Washington Monument provides an unparalleled bird's eye view of the nation's capital. A limited supply of free, same day tickets are available on a first come, first served basis at the Washington Monument Lodge on 15th Street adjacent to the Monument. You can also purchase advance tickets. A nonrefundable service fee applies. You can make advance reservations either by phone (877-444-6777) or online.
Washington Monument Tour Online Reservation