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Student Travel to Washington DC
Capitol Visitor Center
The newly constructed Capitol Visitor Center opened on December 2, 2008, the 145th anniversary of the raising of the statue that sets atop the Dome of the Capitol.The center is 580,000 square feet and stands 3 stories tall, all underground on the east side of the capitol. Two floors are open to the public and the 3rd is reserved for Congress use. Design elements include spiral staircases, sweeping balconies, fountains, columns and two massive skylights providing views of the Capitol dome above.
The CVC is intended to be a waiting area and information center for visitors waiting to take timed tours of the Capitol. It is certainly worth a visit even without the guided tour. In the Exhibition Hall on the Lower Level you can explore the only exhibition in the country dedicated to telling the story of Congress. Highlights include rarely seen historic documents for the National Archives and the Library of Congress as well as an 11-foot-tall touchable model of the Capitol dome. Numerous interactive stations allow you to discover more about Congress, its Members, and the Capitol.
The National Museum of American History
The Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History re-opened its doors in November, 2008 after a two-year, $85 million renovation. Visitors will enter a five-story sky-lit atrium, surrounded by artifact displays filled with more than 400 objects. The museum has a collection of three million objects representing cultural, social, technological and political history of the United States.
A must-see is the dramatic new display of the Star-Spangled Banner. The almost 200-year-old fragile wool and cotton flag will be protected in a state-of-the-art, climate-controlled chamber. An exhibition that includes multimedia displays and historic objects will tell the story of the flag and the National Anthem.
“For people of all ages, a visit to the National Museum of American History can be a defining event – providing a deep and fundamental understanding of what it has meant to be an American,” said Brent D. Glass, director of the museum.
Ford’s Theatre Museum Reopening
Scheduled to reopen in spring 2009, the newly renovated museum will use 21st-century technology to transport visitors to 19th-century Washington. The museum’s remarkable collection of historic artifacts will be supplemented with a variety of narrative devices.
Also beginning in spring 2009, visitors to Ford’s Theatre will be able to take tours of the theatre daily from 9am to 5pm. (except when the venue is closed for rehearsals and matinee performances). In an effort to assist with lines and wait time, Ford’s Theatre has instituted a timed entry system for visitors.
Newseum http://www.newseum.org/
The world’s most interactive museum, the Newseum is a 250,000-square-foot museum of news. Blending five centuries of news history with up-to-the-second technology in dozens of new exhibits, films and interactive experiences, the Newseum will be an unforgettable highlight of your group’s visit.
International Spy Museum
The International Spy Museum will introduce you to the world of espionage. Learn about the authentic tradecraft that has been used throughout time and around the world. Hear spies, in their own words; describe the challenges and the “game” of spying. Adopt a cover identity and learn why an operative needs one. Proceed directly to the Briefing Film where you’ll come face to face with the real world of spying.
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum http://www.ushmm.org/
Nearly 30 million people have visited this place that is both a memorial to the past and a reminder of our obligations to each other in todays world. You can explore Holocaust history and learn ways to confront hatred and to help prevent genocide.