Washington DC with My Cousin

My cousin Lea and her husband Don joined us for a trip to Washington DC in June. The timing was during DAR Continental Congress so we got dressed up one night.

A Lesser Known Memorial

I made it a point to visit the Original Patentees Memorial while in Washington DC. Compared to the famous and impressive Washington, Lincoln, Vietnam Veterans, etc. monuments and memorials it does not seem like much; however, it means something to me because one of my "assumed" ancestors' name is on it. I say assumed because I got the information from others and have not yet proven it myself.

The monument located on the ellipse and is a granite shaft next to the sidewalk on 15th street between Constitution and Avenue and E street across from the Department of Commerce. The monument was erected by the Daughters of the American Colonists in 1936 to commemorate the 18 owners of the 10 square miles donated to create the National District, a capital for a new country.

The wide base is covered on three sides with the patentees names and one side explains the reason for the monument. Each side of the upper shaft is decorated with something representing colonial bounty - a turkey, corn, fish, and tobacco.

Me posing by the monument

My relative is first one listed on this side

That's the commerce building you see across the street

United States Daughters of 1812

My mom and I spent April 3 - 9 in Washington DC to attend the national Associate's Council of the National Society United States Daughters 1812.
I am the Alaska state president so it's about time I went ;)  Here's some photos:

Me on day 1 of meetings - my first time to Associate Council.

Mom on day 1 in lobby of our hotel (Hamilton Crown Plaza)

My Alaska buddy Michelle giving her report as a National Committee chair.

 

 Dressed for first night banquet 

Michelle, me, and mom in our dress up clothes.

Day 2 of meetings. I had to give my state president report in front of everyone! I lived through it.

My mom day 2

Banquet day 2 - in our finery again.
Me and Michelle with the President National (notice the wide sash).

The three amigos at brunch on Sunday, last day.

The National headquarters building where we went to tea after attending a memorial service around the corner at Grace Reformed Church where Teddy Roosevelt attended. 

President National at her desk in headquarters signing the charter for a new chapter!

Getting the dining room set up for tea (above) and the ladies getting ready (below).

 

 The building next door also owned by the National society. It is used as a library and museum.

 

 First room in the library.

Me on the 2nd floor in the museum still wearing my gloves from the memorial service and tea.



National WWII Memorial

My first time to see the WWII memorial designed to "honor the 16 million who served in the armed forces of the U.S., the more than 400,000 who died, and all who supported the war effort from home".

Each state is represented by a granite pillar with a metal wreath. There are two pavilions comprised of these pillars - one is titled Atlantic, one Pacific.

 

 

Bronze plaque in floor of Pacific pavilion

Looking up at Baldacchino sculpture in Pacific pavilion

 The Atlantic pavilion

 

Field of stars - each represent 100 servicepersons killed. 

I liked how this shot turned out with the Washington monument & American flag by the Alaska pillar

Last photo: my mama standing by her homestate pillar

Cherry Blossoms in Washington DC

We took DC Cruises around mid-day yesterday, our last full day in the city, and we were lucky because two types of cherry blossoms had opened that morning.