Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History

 

Today’s agenda included a couple of Smithsonian Institution sites. The Smithsonian is the world’s largest museum, education, and research network, comprising 21 museums, research facilities, and the National Zoo. Washington, D.C. is home to many of these, including the National Museum of Natural History, which was our first stop for the day.

Although smaller than Chicago's Field Museum (especially the central hall), it is well designed and provides an exceptional platform for scientific education. Like many Smithsonian museums, admission is free, and it houses the world's largest natural history collection, over 148 million specimens, with only about 1% on public display.

The Hall of Geology, Gems, and Minerals is one of the more comprehensive exhibits at the National Museum of Natural History. It houses one of the world’s premier collections, featuring thousands of specimens, including the famous 45.52-carat Hope Diamond (below).

The collection also includes some massive crystals and explores the story of minerals and their role in the natural world.

The "Cellphone: Unseen Connections" exhibit explores how mobile technology impacts human society, ecology, and geology.

Featuring 750 objects, it highlights the 65 elements (like lithium and gold) used to make smartphones, their global supply chain, and the cultural shift to constant digital connectivity.

The Sant Ocean Hall contains 674 marine specimens and models, displaying the diversity of marine life from the surface to the deep sea. A major highlight is a real, female giant squid. The Hall is dominated by a life-size model of a 24-foot North Atlantic right whale named "Phoenix", suspended from the ceiling.

The Hall of Fossils – Deep Time at the National Museum of Natural History features more than 700 fossil specimens, including a 90-foot Diplodocus (above) and a dramatic Tyrannosaurus rex locked in a scene with a Triceratops (below). It’s a very well-presented exhibit, with engaging displays and plenty of detailed information that bring the prehistoric world to life.

Although smaller than Chicago's Field Museum, it is well presented and provides an exceptional platform for scientific education. Like many Smithsonian museums, admission is free, and it houses the world's largest natural history collection, over 148 million specimens, with only about 1% on public display.

The Metro

As soon as we stepped out of Ronald Reagan Airport, we relied on the Washington Metro to get around the capital. The network makes it easy and cost-effective to reach just about everything in Washington, D.C., invaluable for visitors like us.

The Foggy Bottom–GWU station, with its distinctive “waffle vault” ceiling, is our closest stop and serves as our gateway to the rest of Washington, D.C..

National Mall

 

Washington is best known for its historic monuments and iconic architecture, along with a collection of world-class museums. We have set aside two and a half days to explore the most notable highlights.

Lincoln Memorial

We made the most of the remaining part of this afternoon wandering the National Mall, starting at the Lincoln Memorial.

The sheer scale of the iconic statue of Lincoln only becomes clear when standing beside it.

Reflecting Pool

From within the memorial, Lincoln gazes across the Reflecting Pool toward the towering obelisk of the Washington Monument.

Korean War Memorial

The most striking element of the Korean War Memorial is the group of 19 stainless steel soldiers walkng through a field. Thoughtfully designed and meticulously maintained, the memorial leaves a powerful impression, especially the inscription "Freedom is not free".

John Paul Jones Memorial

This one seemed to be a bit of an outlier. The statue was of the wrong bloke. The plaque said 'John Paul Jones'. This didn't look anything like him. I was a little surprised not to at least see a base guitar in his hands. Seems odd for a Led Zeplin member to have a monument in the Washington National Mall.

Jefferson Memorial

We could see the Jefferson Memorial, which sits slightly apart from the other monuments, positioned across the Tidal Basin.

Miscellaneous

Ooh! Look, squirrel! The National Mall has a sizable population of eastern gray squirrels that take full advantage of the vast green space.

I’m not entirely sure of the significance of this “monument,” but the symmetry is certainly impressive, an understated masterpiece of public convenience tucked neatly into the National Mall.

The National Mall is flanked by a multitude of historic buildings serving a range of purposes. Some house museums, while others are government offices, such as the Eisenhower Executive Office Building (above), which provides office space for the Executive Office of the President, including the Office of the Vice President, the National Security Council, and the Office of Management and Budget.

Relection Pool

We found ourselves about 620 metres from the Lincoln Memorial at the far end of the Reflecting Pool.

World War II Memorial

At our back stood the World War II Memorial, with the Washington Monument rising beyond it. It honors the 16 million who served, 400,000 who died, and all who supported the war effort.

Washington Monument

The 169-metre Washington Monument is visible from almost everywhere across the National Mall. It feels almost out of place, more at home beside the Great Pyramids of Giza than among the grand neoclassical buildings of Washington.

The Capitol Building

We didn’t venture beyond the Washington Monument, but from its hill we could see the United States Capitol about a mile away. The view was almost obstructed by yet another “restroom memorial” (foreground), this time with slightly more fitting architecture.

The White House

We stopped by the White House as our final stop for the day. It was a bit of a disappointment, with two layers of 10-foot-high fencing making photos less than ideal. You can thank Trump for inciting an insurrection for the excessive security measures.

Foggy Bottom

We made our way back to our apartment in Foggy Bottom. It has been a long day, starting before dawn in Chicago, and we still have plenty to see and do tomorrow.