Chernick Miriam - A kids guide to Washington, D.C

A Kid's Guide to
WASHINGTON, D.C.

HARCOURT, INC.
ORLANDO AUSTIN NEW YORK SAN DIEGO LONDON

Copyright 2008, 1989 by Harcourt, Inc.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any
form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or any
information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

Requests for permission to make copies of any part of the work should be submitted online
at www.harcourt.com/contact or mailed to the following address: Permissions Department,
Harcourt, Inc., 6277 Sea Harbor Drive, Orlando, Florida 32887-6777.

www.HarcourtBooks.com

Written by Diane C. Clark
Revised and updated by Miriam Chernick
Illustrations and maps by Richard E. Brown

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Clark, Diane C.
A kid's guide to Washington, D.C./written by Diane C. Clark; illustrations and maps by
Richard E. BrownRev. and updated ed./by Miriam Chernick.
p. cm.
Includes index.
1. Washington (D.C.)GuidebooksJuvenile literature. 2. ChildrenTravelWashington
(D.C.)GuidebooksJuvenile literature. 3. GamesJuvenile literature. 4. PuzzlesJuvenile literature. I. Brown, Richard E. (Richard Eric), 1946 ill. II. Chernick, Miriam. III. Title.
F192.3.C53 2008
2007015509
ISBN 978-0-15-206125-8

Text set in Neutra Text Book
Designed by Kristine Brogno

H G F E D C

Manufactured in China

Contents

How to Use This Book 5

Welcome to Washington, D.C. 9

Packing for the Trip 13

Getting There 14

Getting Around 19

A Brief History 24

Way Back When 24

Colonial America 25

Revolutionary Times 26

The War of 1812 and Beyond 28

The Nation's Capital Today 31

The Government Today 33

The White House 33

The United States Capitol 37

The U.S. Supreme Court 41

The Library of Congress 43

The National Archives 45

The Bureau of Engraving and Printing 47

Glimpses of the Famous 50

George Washington 50

Thomas Jefferson 53

Abraham Lincoln 54

Franklin Delano Roosevelt 56

John F. Kennedy 57

Martin Luther King Jr. 58

Many Great AmericansKnown and Unknown 59

The Mall and Mr. Smithson 65

The Castle 65

National Museum of American History 66

National Museum of Natural History 68

National Gallery of Art 72

National Museum of the American Indian 74

National Air and Space Museum 76

Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden 78

National Museum of African Art 80

Freer Gallery of Art/Arthur M. Sackler Gallery 80

United States Holocaust Memorial Museum 82

Beyond the Mall 84

International Spy Museum 84

Smithsonian American Art Museum and the National Portrait Gallery 87

National Building Museum 88

National Postal Museum 89

National Museum of Women in the Arts 90

The Corcoran Gallery of Art 91

Frederick Douglass National Historic Site 91

Sewall-Belmont House and Museum 92

The National Air and Space Museum's
Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center 93

What Else Is There? 95

A Town Within a CityGeorgetown 95

Something Old, Something New 99

Science and You 100

Military Matters 101

The Great Outdoors 104

Stopping to Smell the Roses 105

Where Are All the Animals? 108

The National Zoological Park 108

More Zoos 111

The National Aquarium 112

Unusual Farms 113

For Nature Lovers 115

What's the Score? 116

Can I Have That? 119

Your Own Museum Collection 120

Markets, Malls, and Stalls 122

Is That All? 124

Glen Echo Park 125

Enjoy the Show 125

King's Dominion 126

Six Flags America 127

Got More Time? 129

Virginia 129

Maryland 132

West Virginia 133

Appendix 136

Car Games 144

Answers to Puzzles 147

Index 151

How to Use This Book

Are you planning a visit to Washington, D.C.? Read this book before you leave, then carry it with you while you're there. It will help you choose where you want to go each day. But don't just read this book! Use the maps: Try to figure out where you are and where you want to go. There are games and puzzles all through the book for you to do while riding in a car or plane, waiting to eat, or just hanging around waiting for the grown-ups to get going!

The introduction to the book tells you things like what the weather is like in Washington (so you'll know what kind of clothes to bring), the different ways to travel into the city, and how to get around once you're there.

Following this introduction are chapters about the history, government, people, and animals that make Washington, D.C., such an interesting place to visit There are descriptions of places to visit, tips on where to eat, and suggestions on where to get the most unusual souvenirs.

To make the most of your trip, before you leave, look at the addresses and websites in the appendix. For some places you have to line up early in the morning for tickets, especially during the busy summer months. To reserve special tours of the White House and Capitol, contact your senator or representative at his or her local office well in advance of your visit. Their staff should also be able to send you brochures of places in Washington that you might find interesting.

The web addresses in the appendix will also help you research details such as handicap accessibility admission fees, seasonal changes in hours, or closures for security reasons.

Following the appendix, you'll discover a number of games you can play in the car and answers to the puzzles in this book. In the very back is an index, where you can look up the page numbers for specific places you want to read about.

Security has been increased since 9/11, so once you're in Washington, be prepared to walk through metal detectors and have your bag searched. Be flexible in your planning as some locations close on short notice.

Be sure to stop by information desks to ask about programs for kids. Most of the museums and galleries have special brochures, tours, and activities that will make your visit more fun.

United States of America

Washington, D.C.

And pick up some of the publications that list special events while you're in town. The