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Further Distractions National Geographic Society The National Geographic Society was established in 1888, to fund expeditions to undiscovered parts of the world. Later, in order to bring geography to the masses, the society began to publish the National Geographic Magazine. The society displays exhibits in their Explorers Hall, which highlight the latest scientific developments through interactive props and artefacts. Earth Station One simulates an orbital flight and explores the evolution of the seas and the atmosphere as seen from outer space. 1145 17th Street and M Street, NW Tel: (202) 857 7588. Website: www.nationalgeographic.com/explorer Transport: Farragut North or Farragut West Metro stations. Opening hours: Mon-Sat 0900-1700, Sun 1000-1700. Admission: Free. Library of Congress Originally housed in the north wing of the US Capitol when Congress first moved there in 1800, the nation’s library, the Library of Congress, celebrated its bicentennial in 2000. The world’s largest library contains over 40 collections of rare American history materials and nearly 119 million items, including copies of the Gutenberg Bible and a copy of the musical score of the Star Spangled Banner. Exhibitions change regularly but the 19th-century Thomas Jefferson Building can only be visited on guided tours at 1030, 1130, 1330, 1430 and 1530 (last tour is 1430 on Saturday). A 12-minute video about the library is shown regularly in the visitors’ centre. 101 Independence Avenue, SE Tel: (202) 707 8000. Fax: (202) 707 0190. E-mail: vso@loc.gov Website: www.loc.gov Transport: Capitol South Metro station. Opening hours: Mon-Sat 1000-1730. Admission: Free. Newseum and Freedom Park The museum that goes behind the scenes to find out how news is made and allows visitors to be an investigative reporter or television newscaster is currently closed. However, its adjacent outdoor facility, Freedom Park, remains open to the public. Visitors can walk among such symbols of freedom as a fallen statue of Lenin, a bronze casting of Martin Luther King’s Birmingham Alabama jail cell door, a replica of the Goddess of Democracy from Tiananmen Square and sections of the Berlin Wall. Weather permitting, free daily 30-minute tours of the park are available on a first-come-first-served basis, at 1100, 1200, 1300, and 1400. In 2006, the museum’s new location will be on Pennsylvania Avenue and Sixth Street. 1101 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington VA Tel: (703) 284 3544. E-mail: newseum@freedomforum.org Website: www.newseum.org Transport: Rosslyn Metro station. Opening hours: Dawn to dusk. Admission: Free. |
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