NATIONAL ARCHIVES
Today, we started our day by going to the National Archives. This is where the original founding documents of the USA (known collectively as the Charters of Freedom) are located: the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights.
Before we went, we watched short documentaries about each of them so that the kids would understand the significance of these documents. And it honestly made it much more meaningful for us as well.
We had to go through a TSA-type security screening to enter the archives and then we were able to go upstairs to the Rotunda for the Charters of Freedom.
Unfortunately, no photography was allowed in the rotunda itself. Which, I completely understand. Here’s the rotunda from the outside.
It was amazing to see these documents in person. I was surprised to see that the Declaration of Independence was quite faded. There were many parts where the writing was nearly gone. Even John Hancock’s famous signature was hard to see.
It was really neat to see these documents. And maybe this is weird, but I just really appreciated how incredibly beautiful they are: a lot of care and attention went in to making sure that these important words were also beautifully presented.
In addition to the Charters themselves, there were also really interesting informational displays that talked about how these documents are being preserved, and about the who, what, where, when, why, and how of each one.
After we walked through the Rotunda, we moved on to the other public areas of the archives where there were displays talking about the importance of records, and how records of the US have previously been organized and preserved and how it is done now.
One of my favorite parts was the exhibit showing all the special features of the Charters of Freedom displays, how they are kept under extremely precise conditions so as to protect and preserve them.
We’re talking inert Argon gas, a narrow range of acceptable temperatures and humidity levels, very specific lighting conditions. It’s intense. Not gonna lie, it made me want to watch National Treasure again. 🙃🙃
We checked out the gift shop and then made our way outside.
By this point, certain hobbit-like members of the family were “So, so hungy.” So, we found a spot outside the museum, in the shade, because, dang it was already getting flipping hot.
NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART
After we had our snack, we decided to go check out the National Gallery of Art, which was right across the street, and which also had the allure of being indoors. (Flipping hot, remember?)
I will not bore you with everything we saw. I’ll just highlight a couple of favorites.
We started in the sculpture section. I really love sculptures! I never fail to be amazed by the details that are rendered in (what appears to me) such a difficult medium. I can do art in one dimension. (I mean, I don’t wanna brag, but I’m pretty skilled at straight lines.) But three dimensions? Incredible.
Logan found his favorite artworks in the bronze sculpture section. And of course, they are frog-related.
I also enjoyed the furniture section, which I guess is a kind of sculpture as well. Functional, (hopefully) comfortable sculpture.
After the furniture section, we passed through the cafe. So we stopped and got some light refreshments. We really are like hobbits.
Next we wandered through several sections with paintings.
By this point, some of the younger members of the family were getting tired of having to behave just so. And frankly, we were getting tired of policing behavior. And so, we called it a day.
I feel so cultured.
And so, we
