Week 3 Reflection

The National Mall and Washington Memorial as seen from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial (Washington, D.C.)

Week 3 Reflection

            D.C., Mount Vernon, and Montecello…three names to anyone who’s ever studied American history would instantly raise an eyebrow to upon first mention. These locations, especially when traveling on the East Coast, are each legendary and wonderful in their own regard. To visit each location within the span of a week is both a challenge and a victory. The challenge is the simple fact that you could easily spend three weeks alone covering the gems of D.C., and a week for Mount Vernon and Montecello would be wonderful diversions. However, the scope of my fellowship carved out a week’s time to explore these treasures. To say the least, I ended my fellowship on a week of high notes.

            Washington, D.C. is an apropos place to visit for a grant titled “Finding the Founding Fathers.” The Federal district was named in George Washington’s honor and Washington himself chose D.C. as the site for the seat of the U.S. government as well as hand-selecting the individuals who would be the principal designers of the nation’s capital. Visiting D.C. is a journey that everyone should savor.

            D.C. is dripping with pride and is a cornerstone to the American psyche. In one federal district you can see the power centers of our government (Capitol Hill, The White House, and the Supreme Court building), tributes to the nation’s greatest Presidents (Washington, Lincoln, Jefferson), memorials to the nation’s greatest heroes and leaders (World War Two Memorial, Vietnam Memorial, Korean War Memorial, Martin Luther King Memorial), and visit any one of the many world-class museums that dot the surrounding area. I made it to the following: National Museum of the American Indian, National Air and Space Museum, the National Archives, the National Museum of American History, the National Gallery of Art Sculpture Gardens, and the National Museum of Natural History. Each of these buildings/properties is a repository of collections that I can only describe as the “best of the best.” A visit to Washington, D.C. will impress you and inspire you. A visit to Washington, D.C. will tell you that you need to plan a return trip for further study as soon as possible. D.C. is unlike any other city in our country and it left me speechless.

            Upon my departure from D.C. and after a wonderful stop at Elsie’s Magic Skillet in Alexandria, VA!, a visit to George Washington’s sublime Mount Vernon Estate is about the only destination that could keep up with the D.C. precedent. Mount Vernon is both grand and peaceful, a serene landscape that pleasantly haunted me with Washington’s efficient demeanor. While he was an accomplished General and our country’s first President, he was, in his heart, a farmer. When you visit Mount Vernon, you are home on the farm with Martha and George. The landscape features rolling hills and beautiful spaces and upon my arrival, I felt like I was walking into a living history book. There I was, walking in George Washington’s front yard, approaching his house, visiting its interior spaces, and feeling at peace as he must have felt when he was home. To me, visiting Mount Vernon was the end of a journey that began in my childhood. Washington is the “father of our country” so it is only fitting that I take the trip “home” to see where “Dad” lived. It was a great farm, and a great place. Two descriptions I bet Washington would be comfortable with today.

            Jefferson’ Montecello is an architectural gem in terms of structure and layout. His brilliant eye for design and function leaves you with an impressive specimen of a house. The impressive Jefferson greets you when you call for a visit…A ride up the winding road to his eponymous dwelling tells you you’re headed to higher ground…to a special place. When you walk up his front walk you gawk at the estate’s impressive, and famous, façade. Upon arrival in his front door you are welcomed in grand scale to an entry hall that showcases a Jefferson-designed clock and some of the trinkets of his life’s work, including a set of antlers sent to him from Lewis and Clark’s epic “road trip.” Just another day at the office.

            Visiting Thomas Jefferson’s home was another “welcome home” event as his house was a place that he intended to enjoy for his own pleasure and to share with others. Walking in his gardens, viewing his vistas, and touring his home brought me closer to Jefferson the American legend and Jefferson the individual. Montecello leaves its mark on you and you will remember this peaceful place long after your visit. His diligence for detail at Montecello will tell you that his love of the minutia of politics and the wrangling of statesmanship fit right into his skill set.

            Leaving Charlottesville, VA, reminded me that a return to my reality was imminent. For the last three weeks I went headlong into a broad study of American history. Suffice to say, three weeks later I come away with a new love and appreciation of our founding father’s hard work and sacrifices. Week three capped off a tremendous experience, as I spent the week visiting the “best of the best.”

            Please continue to monitor this blog as I intend to continue writing several Epilogues from the fellowship.

            Thanks for joining me today…~Mr. K.