Jamie Engel
History Buffs in Washington, DC
By Jamie Engel
Spring 2015
As a lover of all things history, specifically American political history, spending a semester “away” in Washington, DC was a dream come true. There is an abundance of exciting, history-related activities to take advantage of while you are exploring the District, and I have compiled a list of things you must see before you head back to the Commonwealth.
1. Martins Tavern, Georgetown
For those of you who have never met me, you should be aware that I am an American history enthusiast and that I have a soft spot for President John F. Kennedy. That being said, it only makes sense that I would suggest taking a stroll through Georgetown and stopping in for a quick bite to eat at Martins Tavern. At this iconic watering hole, you have the opportunity to sit in booths named after the famous politicians that frequently visited the restaurant. You can sit in Harry Truman’s booth (booth 6), George W. Bush’s table (table 12), or enjoy your brunch in the one-person booth that John F. Kennedy used to frequent as a young Congressman. Martin’s Tavern is also where JFK proposed to Jackie—so naturally this landmark is quite significant for fellow JFK enthusiasts.
2. The Woodrow Wilson House, Dupont Circle
This is my favorite museum in DC, hands down. I visited as a young girl but recently realized the significance of this hidden treasure. This privately owned museum is located in the house that Woodrow Wilson moved into after his tenure in the White House and provides a fascinating look into the life of President Wilson. It’s a quick one-hour tour that’s jam-packed with interesting facts and anecdotes. A must see for anyone interested in presidential history. I love this tour so much, in fact, that I’ve visited it 5 times this past year. Obviously that’s a bit excessive, but I implore you to check this one out.
3. Ford’s Theatre/Lincoln Assassination Tour
The Lincoln assassination tour is another fascinating activity that brings the history of the District to life. The two-hour tour, led by a civil war historian, provides intriguing insight pertaining to the assassination. For those of you who aren’t history nerds, please don’t be deterred. This is probably to most interactive history lesson you will ever have—the guide will retrace the plot of Lincoln’s death from the White House to the National Theatre and the Willard Hotel. Who wouldn’t enjoy a nice evening stroll through history?
4. The National Archives
This one is a no-brainer. Are you patriotic? Do you love America? Me too! Go check out the original Declaration of Independence, U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights. There is a lot of information to be discovered, so set aside a few hours to explore.
5. The National Portrait Gallery
In my opinion, The National Portrait Gallery is one of the most underrated museums in the District. The gallery is home to the nation’s only complete collection of presidential portraits outside of the White House, so step right up and test your knowledge of the nations leaders.
Jamie is a junior studying Political Science and History. Immediately following her completion of the Washington D.C program, Jamie is moving to New Hampshire to work for Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign.
