Michael Curtis - Classical Architecture and Monuments of Washington, D.C.: A History & Guide

Carl Paul Jenneweins The Spirit of Justice beneath the Capitol Dome. Spiritofamerica.

Published by The History Press

Charleston, SC

www.historypress.net

Copyright 2018 by Michael Curtis

All rights reserved

First published 2018

ISBN 978.1.43966.387.5

Library of Congress Control Number: 2017955903

print edition ISBN 978.1.62585.971.6

Notice: The information in this book is true and complete to the best of our knowledge. It is offered without guarantee on the part of the author or The History Press. The author and The History Press disclaim all liability in connection with the use of this book.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form whatsoever without prior written permission from the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

Never by dishonesty or cowardice shall we bring disgrace to this our city; we shall defend her constitution, her ideals and sacred ways, when alone or in rank; we shall with reverence obey her laws and inspire respect for her among our elders: Unceasingly we shall strive to quicken our sense of civic duty and we vow to transmit to our posterity a greater, stronger, prouder and more beautiful city than was granted to us. May the Gods be my witness.

Oath of the Athenian Youth

Translation, the Ephebic Oath as reported by Lycurgus

CONTENTS

PREFACE

OUR CLASSICAL HERITAGE

These tours are fashioned for those who wish a greater understanding of why and how the District of Columbia came to be a classically designed city. Whether you are a visitor to the District or a native, you will appreciate your nations capital in new ways. You will learn of the ancient antecedents of our political philosophies, of the stylistic precedents of our architectural forms, and of the Founders classical vision. Along the way, you will see well-considered plans realized, you will learn how accidents of history amend ideas, and you will understand how progressive modernism eagerly destroys tradition. Mostly, you will enjoy the grandeur and the beauty of Washington, the District of Columbia.

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of these tours is to teach the principles of art and political philosophy as these principles were understood by the nations founders. By teaching the principles, we might extend the life of our nation by preparing the future for new challenges to liberty. Each tour has an object of concentration:

WASHINGTON, THE CLASSICAL CITY

The ancient cause of liberty; the immediate reason for independence; the classical principle of our convictions; the aesthetic model of a civil society.

ANCIENT ROOTS OF CLASSICAL ORDER

American classicism; our Greco-Roman heritage of thought, language, government and art.

A REPUBLIC OF VIRTUE

Republics need virtuous citizens; forms of government, thought, art and actions that cause virtue.

NATIONAL, POLITICAL AND PERSONAL LIBERTY

The various aspects of liberty considered in exemplary statues.

FREEDOM AND SACRIFICE

A consideration of freedom, sacrifice and the architectural style best suited to remembrance.

SYMBOLS OF EMPIRE

Welcoming international responsibility; assuming the heritage of civilization; celebrating national character; extending liberty.

BRUTAL MISTAKES

Hubris and progressive misdirection; gradual abdication of citizen responsibility for morals and art; policy, an instrument to undermine traditional culture.

OF THE PEOPLE

The inspired creation of the Federal City; plans in design and accident; the life, service and sacrifice of residents local and national.

BRITISH AMERICA

We trace in Alexandria our growth from quaint colonial villagers to benevolent masters of the world.

These tours are likely to meander in and out of subjects as this or that question occurs. So, be prepared for challenges and delights.

PREPARATION

Because tours are limited in scope, supplementary reading is recommended to answer inevitable questions and to increase knowledge. A brief reading in preparation of each tour will prepare tourists to learn by seeing. An extensive bibliography is provided to those who would like a deeper understanding of ideas, events, and places. Because the Founders vision of our republic is prerequisite to understanding this city, a working knowledge of the Constitution (including the original Bill of Rights) is recommended. You will find it helpful to carry the Declaration of Independence for occasional reference to the purpose, plan, art and architecture of the capital city.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

These classical heritage tours were conceived for the National Civic Art Society to extend the Founders aesthetic vision and to teach founding principles. Erik Bootsma, AIA, first presented these NCAS tours for Hillsdale Colleges Kirby Center for Constitutional Studies and Citizenship. Justin Shubow provided observations to the text and leadership in organization. The Reverend Dr. Richard Allen Hyde lent the research and insight that formed Chapter V. Thanks to these men and to the many NCAS tour guides who have, through pleasant breezes, the icy slush of winter and sticky summer days, shared knowledge, pleasure and delight in this greatest of all world capitals, Washington, the District of Columbia.

INTRODUCTION

WASHINGTON: THE CLASSICAL CITY

Looking over the expanse of our National Mall, we see 250 years of 4,000 years of human habitation. We cannot know which tribes populated Potomacs shores when Achilles fought Hector on the plains of Troy, but we do know that the Potomack lowlands were occupied by the Piscataway Indians when, in 1608, Captain John Smith explored the territory in preparation for English settlement. After the area was made secure for settlement, George Washington surveyed Alexandria, Virginia (once a part of Washington, the District of Columbia), and helped to form the streets on a regular, right-angled, ten-acre planthe typical unit of Roman planning, which happens to be the area that a Roman citizen could plow in a day.

The local Algonquian speakers had anglicized or migrated when George Washington received an education in English civil society. Although of the middling rank, Washington inherited Western Civilization in the same manner that the typical Roman boy received education in public life and the family trade. Alike the Roman Cincinnatus, Washington was born into a family of planters who managed slaves, who were engaged in community leadership, and who provided military security. In addition to learning the arts of the farm, George studied history, sermons, surveying, building, Homer (in Latin) and other authors through tutors in the manner of young Cincinnatus. Likewise, others of the nations founders received an excellent classical education: Thomas Jefferson was entered in English school at five years, Latin school at nine years, he was taught some Greek by a correct classical scholar, and he then studied for seven years at the College of William and Mary. In his maturity, Thomas Jefferson was among the most educated of living men. Washington, Jefferson, Adams, Madison, Franklin, Hamilton, et alia guided the nation intellectually, shaped the nation politically, and formed the nation physically.