Spending July 4th in Washington D.C. -White House, Postal Museum, Union Station, and More
Overview
As a citizen of the United States of America, I wanted to celebrate America’s birthday in the capital at least once. It was wonderful and horrible at the same time. The summer heat was unbelievable and I understand why Congress goes home for the summer.
Washington D.C. is outstanding with free museums and I went to National Portrait Gallery and the National Postal Museum. But also walking into Union Station and around the President’s Park, Lafayette Square, the White House, and other areas around D.C. It was wonderful to be with so many people including our military for this celebration and the parade down Constitution Avenue.
The weather was the largest issue that I had but I generally go to DC in Spring or the Fall. The summer heat was nothing compared to the humidity but the worst was that there was no wind. The flag was straight up and down on the Castle. I was going to go and hear the President speak but a wonderful thunder storm appeared so I stayed at a museum.
But in the end, I was a wonderful day of drinking lots of water and celebrating America’s Birthday in the Capital!!!!!
4th of July Parade
The Parade was down Constitution Avenue passing directly in front of the White House. The opening band was wonderful. Playing an old old American song and dressed as if they were in the 1700 hundreds. It made my day.
Most of the parade was all about National Pride with local and military bands. A few big balloons, trucks, old cars, old bikes, a few floats, and everything in between.
But the heat was unbearable. I had to leave about half way through. I would love to go again but a bit less heat next time. I understand that this was one of the worst days with no breezes and high humidity.
What is great about Washington DC is that all the museums are free. Heated in the winter and air conditioned in the summer. So, when the weather is bad, I just move inside.
Fireworks in the Capital
The first firework grouping was wonderful but then with no wind…. It was just a big light show in smoke. It was like watching the smoke bombs going off but on a large area with the Washington Monument in the center of it.
It was very disappointing. But I don’t think that they could do anything about it because without any wind, the smoke just stayed in one place.
The greatest was the fly overs by aircraft just before the fireworks. It was great but it was impossible to get the camera out as they were time so far apart and they did not have a schedule listed.
National Portrait Gallery
The National Portrait Gallery is about a half mile from the National Mall. It covers early America history with portraits of some of our most famous people of our early history to a gallery of all of our Presidents to modern pop culture.
Former President Barack Obama and his wife are on display and have line for people to take pictures with the portrait.
The cafe is a bit pricey and over the top but they have water, sodas, and wine. This museum also has a great courtyard plus it covered and allows light in but not the weather.
On the second floor, they have a room that you can charge your cell phone in but you have to have your cord to plug in.
National Postal Museum
Located about a half a mile from the Capital Building and across the street from Union Station. The National Postal Museum has a collection of stamps from the US and around the world plus exhibits on the history of the post office.
So, this sounds like the nerdiest place you can be at but it turns out to be very captivating and absorbing. It holds one of the rarest stamp in the world. The ‘Inverted Jenny’ which only a hundred were printed in 1918. The printer had miss printed the Curtiss JN-4 airplane upside down.
It holds stamps from all over the world. As you start on the first floor in the William H Gross Stamp Gallery; it does not look much but the pull out a panels and you get to see both U.S. stamps and stamps from around the world.
It is a bit dark in here as stamps tend to lose their color with light. So they have the light down low and you have to pull out draws to see the stamp so they get even less direct light over the long term.
After the Stamp Gallery, head down to escalators and you can see the process of how the mail boxes came to be.
They have the mail box that was on the sidewalk near the Twin Towers on 9/11. The box is a bit beat up but it keep the mail safe.
They also have the history of how the mail progressed from Pony Express to our current delivery system with a stage coach, cars, planes, trains, and other motions of transportation on display.
The history of how the zip code came to be and how they became automated and the police side of the post office.
A statue of Benjamin Franklin who was the first Post Master General for the United States government.
It was very interesting but my favorite was sitting in a stage coach. I could have spent a lot more time in here but I want to get to the Parade.
Brief History
Owney was the Post Office mascot for years. Owney was a stray dog that hopped on a train one day and travel the rails with the mail until his death.
He would change trains as he pleased and the Post persons would fed him. He was considered good luck as none of the trains that he was on crashed or otherwise has issues.
Union Station
Union Station is located next to the National Postal Museum. Opened in 1907, it is Amtrak headquarters and serves just under 5 million travelers a year. During World War II, Union Station could have as many as 200,000 passengers per day.
Inside there is a great hall with seating and a second great hall with more seating. If you want lunch, then they have all your favorite fast food like Taco Bell, McDonald’s, Chipotle, Einsteins Bros Bagels, Haagen-Dazs, Starbucks, and other fast food and even some upper class foods.
They also have several retail outlets such as Sprint, Ann Taylor, Best Buy, the Body Shop, Jos A Bank, Verizon, Victoria’s Secrets, Walgreens, and a bunch of other places.
President’s Park
Located in front of the White House on Constitution Avenue. Just a nice place to sit and relax or watch the parade from.
Lafayette Square
In front of the White House. Lafayette Square has several statues and just a place to relax before walking around Washington D.C.
Brief History
During the War of 1812, both British and American solders were camped here at different times. Both the Capital Building and the White House were burned down by the British during this war.
The Lafayette Square was used for many things over the years. Lafayette Square held many political protests and celebrations as it is directly across from the White House.
The park also housed zoo animals at one point before the National Museum created the Living Animals Department and was used as a race track (horses not cars).
It may have also been used as part of the slave trade as auctions could have been done here. It is one of those things that is believe to have been done at some point in history but if it was then that history has been well buried.
White House
The White House is available to visit but you have to contact you Senator or Congressman. It can take about three weeks to get a tour. I have not done this but the tour can also be pulled at the last second, if need for government reasons.
The greatest thing about America is that protesters are right outside of the White House. They are allowed here to protest at anytime without being harassed as long as they are being peacefully. In most countries this would not be allowed.
Even if what the protesters are saying makes your blood boil, you have to realize that this is the greatest thing that can happen. The ability to debate and protest is what make America great because we can disagree but still live together in basically a peaceful existence.
Pictures of other Places around DC
Washington DC just has so much to see and do. Below are a few odds and ends that I have seen.
