Historical Buildings and Sites

Home and final resting place of America's 1st President, George Washington. During the time that Washington lived here (more than 45 years), Mount Vernon was an 8,000-acre plantation, which was divided into five farms; each was a complete unit. The farm where Washington and his family lived was called the "Mansion House Farm," and is the part of the plantation that we refer to today as "Mount Vernon." Washington inherited the property from his older half-brother, who named the property in honor of his commanding officer, Admiral Edward Vernon of the British navy.

Millions of documents are created in the course of government business, but less than three percent are so important for legal or historical reasons that they are kept forever.  It is in the National Archives that you will find some of those documents, including the Declaration of Independence and The Constitution, which are in display in the Exhibit Hall.  You can also make arrangements to visit the Research Room to conduct your own research in the textual and microfilm records kept at the National Archives. The Archives were collected starting in 1926. 

While no tickets are needed, the lines form early during spring and summer months.  To skip the long line, call ahead to (202) 357-5450 to make a reservation for a 9:45 a.m. tour Monday through Friday.

Union Station, a grand example of Beaux-Arts design, was completed in 1907.  Its name comes from its role in pulling together the depots of separate railroad companies, which had previously been located on the National Mall.  It was an important entry point to the city until air travel gained popularity.  The design is symbolic of a gateway, marking it as a gateway to Washington, DC.  Roman legionnaires stand watch on a ledge in the main entry hall of Union Station.

The building fell into disrepair and was in danger of being shut down and demolished, until the Department of Transportation undertook restoration efforts in 1984.  Now, more than 32 million people visit the building each year, an average of 90,000 per day.

I am happy to provide Idahoans who come to our nation's Capitol with a tour of the building. Staff members are available by reservation for tours starting at 10:30 a.m. Monday through Friday. The last tour begins at 2:30 p.m. Please make arrangements at least seven days in advance of your visit.

The U.S. Capitol Guide Service also offers tours. You must pick up free timed tickets (one per person present) at a kiosk located in the southwest corner of the Capitol Grounds, at 1st and Independence, SW, across from the U.S. Botanic Gardens. Tickets are handed out daily and cannot be reserved. Tours operate Monday through Saturday.

The Capitol Visitor Center is scheduled to open in the fall of 2008.  It will provide an interesting interactive experience for visitors to Capitol Hill, and I am looking forward to its opening.

The Cathedral Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul took 83 years to build. It has been the site of a number of Presidential funerals, with more than 150 people interred (including Helen Keller and Woodrow Wilson).

In 2007, the Cathedral is celebrating its Centennial and is hosting several special events, including Cathedral Day on September 29th and a Centennial Gala in November.

Every President since John Adams has lived at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, one of the most famous addresses in the world.  It is also the only private residence of a head of state that is open to the public.  President George Washington oversaw construction of the building, but never lived in it.  The White House survived a fire set by British troops in 1814 and another fire in the West Wing in 1929.  There are 132 rooms, 35 bathroom and six levels, with 412 doors, 147 windows, 28 fireplaces, eight staircases and three elevators.  While it’s now known as The White House (officially given by Theodore Roosevelt in 1901), it has also been known as the President’s Palace, the President’s House, and the Executive Mansion.  Self-guided tours include the East Room and the Blue Room.

A visit to the White House Visitors Center, located at the southeast corner of 15th and E Streets, is also a great stop and will greatly enhance your tour experience.