Historic Sites of The President's Neighborhood
Celebrate the History of Lafayette Square
Washington, DC (August 30) - Two hundred years ago, the nation's capital was
relocated from Philadelphia to Washington. This city became the new home to
the American government and blossomed from mostly farmland to a bustling
capital city. In the center of Washington's - and perhaps the nation's -
social and political life was the President's Park, which later became known
as Lafayette Square. Once the "front yard" of the White House, the square
became recognized as an influential neighborhood and later an historic area
worthy of preserving for future generations. On Saturday, October 6, ten
sites surrounding Lafayette Square will celebrate their two hundred years of
rich and vibrant history at the seventh annual Lafayette Square Day Open
House with museum and exhibit tours, gallery talks, National Park Service
ranger-led walking tours, family workshops, children's programs, artist
demonstrations and much more.
From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Lafayette Square Day Open House offers an exciting
schedule of special activities planned throughout the park and at
participating sites including the Corcorcan Gallery of Art, Daughters of the
American Revolution Museum, Decatur House Museum, The Hay-Adams Hotel, The
Octagon, Riggs Bank N.A., The Renwick Gallery of the National Museum of
American Art S.I., St. John's Episcopal Church, The White House Historical
Association and the White House Visitor Center.
Highlights in the schedule of events include a walking tour given by Anthony
Pitch, scholar and author of "The Burning of Washington," recounting the
early history of Lafayette Square. Other not-to-be-missed outdoor programs
include National Park Service ranger-led talks on the American colonies'
fight for independence and the Square's famous residents and their stories
from years past. Plus, Decatur House's neighborhood tour about the many
women who influenced our nation's history such as Abigail Adams, Dolly
Madison, Alice Paul, Jacqueline Kennedy and others.
Lafayette Square Day museum-goers will also enjoy special tours and programs
at the various participating sites - most offered free of charge or at
reduced prices. Bring the entire family to Decatur House for an interactive
"I Spy" tour searching for clues about the people who lived the prestigious
home since 1818 (children ages 12 and under receive special prizes for
participation) or take a workshop at the Daughters of the American
Revolution Museum (DAR) and learn how to cut freehand silhouette miniatures.
For more information on these and other Lafayette Square Day Open House
events, visit Decatur House Museum's web site at www.decaturhouse.org or
call (202) 842-0918.
Tours
11:00 am - 4:00 pm Guided Tours - Octagon:
Docents will lead guided tours of this recently restored 1801 home. Tours
every half-hour--last tour at 3:30. Half price admission
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM Self-Guided Tours - Decatur House:
Museum guides will direct visitors through the home on self-guided tours of
the Decatur House Museum.
11:00 am - 4:00 pm Videos and Question/Answer - The White House
Historical Association:
The videos "Within These Walls: A Visit To The White House"and "Upon These
Grounds: Exploring The White House Garden" will be shown continuously and
staff will be available to answer questions.
11:00 am - 3:00 pm Guided Tours - St. John's Church:
Guided tours of this historic building. Last tour at 2:30.
11:00 am - 3:00 pm Guided Tours - DAR:
Docents will lead free tours of the DAR Museum's period rooms. Tours every
half-hour--last tour at 2:30.
12 noon and 2:30 pm Guided Tours - Corcoran Gallery:
Corcoran docents will give drop-in tours of the museum's American and
European collection. Tours free with admission.
1:00 pm and 3:00 pm Guided Tours - Decatur House:
Guided tours of Decatur House Museum at 1:00pm and 3:00pm. Tours
depart from the home's formal entrance at 748 Jackson Place. (45 minutes)
Neighborhood Events
11:00 am I Spy Guided Tour for Families and Children -
Decatur House:
Meet at Decatur House, 748 Jackson Place, for families and children to
engage in an interactive guided "I Spy" tour of the house. All participating
children can redeem prizes from the Museum. (30 minutes)
11:30 am The World Turned Upside Down:
The English were shocked when the American colonies fought for and secured
their independence. The French, German and Polish people contribute to this
American effort. Meet at the Lafayette statue and join a Park Ranger to
discuss the four corner statures overlooking the White House. (45-minutes)
12 noon An Historic Look at the President's Neighborhood:
Join Anthony Pitch, scholar and author of The Burning of Washington in
front of the Renwick Gallery, 17th and Pennsylvania Avenue, for a walking
tour of Lafayette Square. (45 minutes)
12 noon Special Exhibition Tours - Renwick Gallery:
Renwick docents will lead a tour of the special exhibition "The Furniture of
Sam Maloof." Meet at the information desk.
1:00 pm Permanent Collection Tours - Renwick Gallery:
Renwick docents will lead a tour of highlights from the Renwick Gallery's
permanent collection. Meet at the information desk.
1:00 pm Workshop - DAR:
The Museum is hosting a Silhouette Cutting Workshop featuring a
demonstration by silhouette artist Ann Woodward. Participants will have the
opportunity to try their hand at cutting their own freehand silhouette
miniatures. (a fee of @10 per individual and $25 per family includes all
materials)
1:30 pm Special Tour - Chamber of Commerce:
Meet at the steps of the Chamber of Commerce for a special tour of the
building. See in particular the Daniel Webster Room, the Hall of Flags and
the Briefing Center.
2:00 pm I Spy GuidedTour for Families and Children - Decatur House:
Meet at Decatur House, 748 Jackson Place, for families and children to
engage in an interactive guided "I Spy" tour of the house. All participating
children can redeem prizes from the Museum. (30 minutes)
2:00 pm Follow the Steps of the President:
Meet at the Jackson Statue and join a National Park Service employee and
travel through time to see how this neighborhood, Lafayette Square was
shaped by its various occupants. (45-minutes)
2:30 pm Gallery Talk - Corcoran Gallery of Art:
Meet at the entrance to the In Response to Place: Photographs from the
Nature Conservancy'sLast Great Place exhibition and participate in a gallery
talk by Barbara Hurd, writer and Professor of English, Frostburg State
University. Barbara Hurd's talk will capture the spirit of the natural
world, beginning with a lively reading from her recent book of essays
entitled Stirring the Mud: On Swamps, Bogs and Human Imagination. Visitors
will enjoy her perspective as a writer, a naturalist and a Western Maryland
resident on this exhibition.(Gallery Talk is Free with Museum Admission)
2:30 pm Women Who Made History:
Meet at Decatur House, 748 Jackson Place, for a walking tour of the Square
to hear about the many women who influenced our history: Abigail Adams,
Dolly Madison, Alice Paul, Jacqueline Kennedy and others. (45 minutes)
Sheri J. Levinsky, MA
Director of Education & Programs
Decatur House Museum, NTHP
748 Jackson Place, NW
Washington, DC 20006
voice 202.842.0918 fax 202.842.0030
[log in to unmask]
www.decaturhouse.org
Sheri J. Levinsky, MA
Director of Education & Programs
Decatur House Museum, NTHP
748 Jackson Place, NW
Washington, DC 20006
voice 202.842.0918 fax 202.842.0030
[log in to unmask]
www.decaturhouse.org
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