Batts Go to Washington - Day 5

Today we checked out the Smithsonian Museum of American History! We spent three hours, and I think we saw *maybe* half - hopefully we'll go back on Friday to see the rest!

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What we did see was amazing! (please excuse the poor photo quality - the regular lens for my good nikon fell victim to the attack of a two year old - any pics not taken with my super zoom lens are taken with a low-quality regular old camera... and the lighting in most of the exhibits was VERY low!)

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This is the Gunboat Philadelphia - 'The Philadelphia was one of a fleet of Continental gunboats that stopped the advance of British forces on Lake Champlain during the Battle of Valcour Island in 1776. Sunk during the battle, it was discovered and raised in 1935'




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George Washington's dress uniform (the *actual* thing!) worn for formal events and official portraits



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Here, Hunter is discovering the various types of food that the continental army had to eat


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Hunter, trying to make fire using flint and steel


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George Washington's sword (again, the *actual* thing!) Also, the tea table on the left was Washington's, from his home in Mount Vernon




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This was a very cool section of the WWII exhibit, set up like a stage, with film clips of USO shows (we saw Bob Hope, Danny Kaye, and the Andrews Sisters)



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I found this item to be particularly amazing - it is the *actual* top hat that Lincoln wore on the night he was assassinated at the Ford Theatre in 1865



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A gravy boat from John and Abigail Adams' china set, which they personally purchased from France in 1780


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From the 'America on the Move' exhibit - an L train from Chicago in the 1950's

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One amazing thing we saw, that you aren't allowed to take pictures of, was the original 'Star Spangled Banner'! It is the 30' x 34' flag that flew over Fort McHenry during the battle of Baltimore in 1814, and inspired Francis Scott Key to write what would become our national anthem! The enormous flag is housed in an 'environmentally controlled', dimly lit chamber, so you can't take any pictures - you'll just have to trust me, it was awesome!

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On our way back to the car, we stopped to take some photos with the good camera, just for fun!

Smithsonian Castle:

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Handsome young man:

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Sweet little, uncooperative, Morgan :o)

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Playing around on the National Mall

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It was another great day here in our nation's capital! Tomorrow it's on to the National Zoo!