W A S H I N G T O N   D . C .   -   D A Y   # 1

Monday, October 25, 2004

After my little artifact tour, I make my way outside again and continue my counterclockwise jaunt around the National Mall. In the distance, to the west, I see the Washington Monument and to the east I see the U.S. Capitol. What on earth is going on over at the U.S. Capitol? What is the crane being used for?

In front of the Smithsonian Castle there's this impressive statue. My first thought is it's a memorial to James Smithson, but, upon closer inspection, the statue is actually that of Joseph Henry. Certainly not a household name of our times, he was quite an important and influential individual back in the day when the Smithsonian Institution was in its infancy.

The Institute's first Secretary, Henry was pivotal in ensuring the Institution's charter of embracing basic research was not sidetracked by outside influences intent on using the Institution for their own financial and/or political gain. If not for Joseph Henry, the Smithsonian Institution may very well have evolved into something completely different, which certainly would have been a shame.

I hear music. What's this? Am I in an amusement park? I wish I had more time, I'd like to ride the carousel. I wonder if the politicians ride on it? I can see it now, the Republicans only ride the elephants and the Democrats only ride the donkeys.

Here's the Smithsonian Arts and Industries Building. Completed in 1881, the building embraces a High Victorian style of architecture. Upon completion, the National Museum was promptly moved from the Smithsonian Institution Building to this building, providing a fully dedicated space needed for the ever-expanding museum.

Now this is fun. They've erected a simulation of the solar system, stretching across a portion of the National Mall. I'm currently at Neptune and am working my way towards the Sun. Did you know Neptune is the windiest planet in the solar system? How do they calculate that? Science is just amazing, eh?