Washington, D.C. will play host to many momentous events. From the swearing in of our nation’s first African American president to the 200th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln’s birthday, Washington, DC will be an exciting place to be. Here are a few books about Washington, D.C.
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Dolley Madison Saves George Washington
Written and Illustrated by Don Brown
Dolley Madison played a role in the important history of the White House. Before she was a First Lady, Dolley was the hostess to many official White House functions while Thomas Jefferson was in office. (It should be noted that while Dolley lived there, the White House was called the President’s Mansion.) Dolley continued the role of hostess when her husband, James Madison, was elected to become the nation’s 4th president. Over the years Dolley became well known for making everyone feel welcomed at the White House. In an effort to make the White House more hospitable, Dolley also renovated the interior of the White House.
One of the items she used in the renovation was a full-length portrait of George Washington, also known as the Lansdowne portrait. The portrait was painted by Gilbert Stuart, as a gift from Senator and Mrs. William Bingham of Pennsylvania to the Marquis of Lansdowne, a well-known supporter of the American Revolution. When the War of 1812 brought British soldiers to the steps of the White House, Dolley had the portrait cut from the frame and removed for safekeeping. As was customary at the time, Stuart made copies of the Lansdowne portrait, where they were hung in official US government buildings. During the War of 1812, the original Lansdowne portrait was still in England. The portrait that Dolley Madison saved was one of those copies Stuart made. The original has since returned to the United States, and it is currently hanging in the National Portrait Gallery, at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C.
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Top 10 Washington, D.C. with Map (DK Eyewitness Top 10 Travel Guides)
Written by Ron Burke and Susan Burke
With top 10 lists for things such as Washington, D.C. highlights, Festivals and Cultural events, Library of Congress features, and Children’s Attractions, this book is full of lists for place to see and things to do. This is a good book to get an idea of what is in Washington, D.C. and in surrounding areas.
These lists are wonderful classroom tool because they allow teachers to have a list of museum along a theme at their fingertips. For instance, teachers doing a unit of important African American places in Washington, D.C. would find that in addition to the Lincoln Memorial (where Martin Luther King Jr. made his “I have a Dream” speech, and also where Marian Anderson held her concert when she wasn’t allow to sing at the Constitution Hall), there is the Mount Zion United Methodist church, which was an important stop on the underground railroad. These lists mix the highly popular sites with lesser-known sites.
Order Top 10 Washington, D.C. with Map (DK Eyewitness Top 10 Travel Guides) from Bookshop Santa Cruz
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Capital
Written by Lynn Curlee
Land for United States government was set aside by the US Constitution (Section 8, Clause 17). The main purpose for Washington, D.C. was for it to be the location of the US government. Now Washington, D.C. serves a mixture of purposes. There are monuments to important figures and events in American history. There are also many museums holding millions of artifacts that have significance to the United States. The original purpose of Washington, D.C. has not been lost. It is still the location from which the people, to whom we have charged to do so, govern the nation.
Capital by Lynn Curlee gives the history of the construction of 5 important buildings; the Capitol building, the White House, the Washington monument, the Lincoln Memorial, and the Jefferson memorial. Of these 5 buildings, more concentration is focused on the Capitol building. This is a fabulous book that compliments Top 10 Washington, D.C. There are fascinating stories of each building, such as what the White House looked like when Presidents John Adams, and Thomas Jefferson lived there. There are also great tidbits of facts, such as before the Eiffle Tower was built, the Washington Monument was the tallest man-made object in the world.
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The White House
Written by Catherine O’Neill Grace
One of the most recognizable buildings in the United States, the White House is enduring symbol for the American people. But what is it like to live or work in the White House? Who mows the lawns? Who makes sure that the historical items in the White House are taken care of? Did you know there is a person in charge of taking care of the White House Pets? There is a legion of dedicated men and women who have been there through many presidential administrations to make sure the President and his family have everything they need.
This book is a fascinating look at the White House and the people who have lived there. Interspersed are interviews of actual White House workers. The book takes the reader through many of the famous rooms, such as the China Room, and the Vermeil Room. But there are also inside looks into less famous rooms, such as the Family Quarters. There are also interesting bits of information such as how the staff prepares for inauguration day. This book is filled with numerous fabulous pictures of life, and work at the White House.