Labor Day Weekend

September 4, 2010

It is Labor Day Weekend and the only plans I have are within walking distance of my apartment.  There is a lot within walking distance of where I live!   I heard the National Building Museum is beautiful inside but there is not a lot within the building; however, the gift shop is the best of all gift shops!  Both are true statements.  The building itself was built in 1887 and housed the US Pension Bureau.  The Great Hall, with its stunning columns, has held several Presidential Inaugural Balls over the past 100 years including the last three presidents.  The National Building Museum was established in 1980 by an act of Congress recognizing achievements in architecture, design, engineering, planning and construction.  One of the exhibits I wanted to see was that of Andrea Palladio.  He was a 16th century Italian Renaissance architect and his influence can be seen throughout the United States.  Thomas Jefferson's anonymous design for the White House (not selected) was based on one of Palladio's designs.  He wrote four books that according to the exhibit "...had more influence on the built world than any architectural treatise before or since."  The books were at the exhibit - how cool is that?  

I also went to the Old Post Office, which has the second best view in the city.  The Washington Memorial is the only other building taller than the Old Post Office.  The best part is that there are no lines at the Old Post Office.  Again, this a building with one or two attractions so there are not a lot of crowds.  Perfect for Labor Day Weekend!  The Post Office was originally built in 1899, it was the first government building to have its own electric power plant.  The  clock tower "houses the official United States Bells of Congress, a bicentennial gift from England celebrating the end of the Revolutionary War" and are rung every Thursday evening.    The best part is the view from the top of the tower.  Here are some of the pictures I took from up there:

CapitolWashington CathedralLincoln MemorialWashington Memorial

WWII Memorial (my personal favorite)