The Historical Society of Washington, D.C.and City Museum:
801 K Street, NW
Washington, D.C. 20001
Phone: 202.383.1800
http://www.citymuseumdc.org

The entrance of City Museum of Washington, DC
The City Museum is just one block south of the Mt. Vernon Square/Convention Center Metro stop (yellow and green lines) and three blocks north of the Gallery Place Metro stop (red, yellow, and green lines) at 801 K Street, NW.

The President Abraham Lincoln welcomes YOU at the entrance of Washington Perspectives:

"Washington's people and neighborhoods, as well as the federal government, have shaped this unique place- the nationa's capital. Welcome to our city."

Aerial Views Map of Washington, DC on the floor:

"Here is where we are now"

How the Map was Made: The District Columbia Office of Planning produced this map from digital orthophotography of D.C., Arlington County, and the Cith of Alexandria. These digital orthophotographs are made from specially- corrected aerial photos that ensure accuracy regardless of changes in camera angles or ground elevations. Everthing on this map is exactly 3,000 times smaller than in "real life."

Displays of major historical events during 1790 - 1860

Dining table of Boarding House give you images and reproduce sounds of scenes at boarding houses during 1790 - 1860.

Very beautiful picture on the dining table of Boarding House

Displays of major historical events during 1861- 1900
A Modernizing City: The Civil War transformed Washington. After four years as Union headquaters, the entire city needed to be rebuilt to accomodate a population almost doubled in size due to a larger govenment workforce and thousands of recently freed African Americans.

On April 16, 1862 slavery ended in the District. In 1866, and for decades following, the African American community staged a grand parade to commemorate the annivesary. Thousands lined Pennsylvania Avenue in celebration. Parade officials sported colorful sashes and cannons roared on the White House grounds. Prominent speakers like Frederick Douglass addressed the jubilant crowds.

Illustration of Emancipation Day Parade, 1866 Figures by Anna Johnson

Displays of major historical events during 1901 - 1945
Progress, War, and Protest:
Washington emerged as the symbol of national power as the United States assumed a more prominent role in world affairs. COngress aspired to create a city whose grandeur could symbolize national strength in an age of America empire. As the nation waged war to protect democracy abroad in two World Wars, protesters directed attention to issues here at home.

A couple is looking into displays of the period 1901- 1945. "What's in here?"

Entertainment along U Street:
Washingtonians heard some of the city's best music in the theaters and clubs along U Street, an area known as the "black Broadway." Famous names like Washington Duke Ellington and Bessie Smith played at the Howard Theater on 7th and T St., N.W.
U Street played a significant role in the national literary, intellectual, and artistic movement of the 1920s and 1930s known as the Harlem Renaissance.
Figures by Anna Johnson

1963 March on Washington: On August 28, 1963, 250,000 people, including many Washingtonians, came to the capital to demand civil rights legislation in the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedam. It was at this historic event that Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered his "I Have A Dream Speech." A. Philip Randolph and others organized the march nationally. A strong local contingent led by Reverend Walter Fauntroy found housing for participants and courted local media.