Social Activities

Halls of Justice
Thursday, March 15, 2007
9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Situated on Capitol Hill lies Washington's most spectacular structure, The U.S. Capitol. Today's visit will take you through this magnificent and important building. Here, the laws of the land have been decided and are still being created today. Your guide will introduce you to the history of the building's architecture from its earliest construction through its burning by the British and onto its current glory.

Next, visit the seat of our judicial system, the Supreme Court, the highest court in the land. This imposing structure, with its gleaming white marble, reflects the importance of its role within our nation. Passing through enormous bronze doors, visit the Great Hall and Court Chamber. These impressive spaces are outfitted in rich woods, velvets and marble. Your guide will relay history's most famous cases determined within these walls, as well as factual knowledge on the current justices. A stop will be made at Union Station for lunch on your own at one of the many restaurants or the food court.

Your next stop will be the Library of Congress' Jefferson Building. As you pass the Neptune fountain you will enter America's collection of documents. The building was created to house Thomas Jefferson's donation of his personal library to the nation. Visit the recently restored Great Hall with its fabulous murals, statuary, and impressive collections. See one of the three remaining copies of the Gutenberg Bible, the world's first press-printed document. From the Great Hall gaze upon the Main Reading Room, whose magnificent round room makes up part of the world's largest research library. From this collection of significant works, proceed to the home of some of the Nation's most important documents, The National Archives. Within the Archives, view the documents that our nation is based upon: The Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.

America's Leading Women
Friday, March 16, 2007
9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

This tour begins at the Sewall-Belmont House, reputedly one of the oldest buildings on Capitol Hill. This lovely house was built in 1800 by Robert Sewall around a preexisting structure that dates back to the late 17th century. Today, the house is owned and operated by the National Women's Party and houses a museum which glorifies the women, like Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Caddy Stanton, who fought for women's rights from woman's suffrage to the ERA.

Next stop is the National Museum of Women in the Arts, where guests will view over 1,500 works by women: paintings, sculptures, graphics arts, and photography from the 16th-century to the present.

Continue on to the DAR Museum (Daughters of the American Revolution) which provides a fascinating look into the culture and history of everyday life in the United States before 1830. Whole rooms from specific time periods have been recreated and you will see a private collection of historically significant clothing, jewelry and ceramics.

Finally, the tour stops at the Women In Military Service For America Memorial. Located at the Ceremonial Entrance to Arlington National Cemetery, across the Memorial Bridge, it is a memorial dedicated to all the women who have served in our nation's armed forces and those who have served in direct support of our armed forces, particularly during times of war or conflict. The Memorial was dedicated in 1997 after 11 years in the making, and includes permanent exhibits, including World War II and the Korean War.

Mount Vernon and Old Town Alexandria
Saturday, March 17, 2007
9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Today, you will travel back in time to the eighteenth century — to the life and times of The Father of our Country, George Washington. The tour will take you over the Potomac River to Mount Vernon, America's most visited historic house. The estate sits on a grassy, shaded slope overlooking the Potomac River. Upon arrival, you will make your way along the garden path to Washington's home, where you will be presented with an authentic look at the life of George and Martha Washington. Docents will describe the rich history and significant historical events that took place in each of the bright and colorful rooms in the mansion. From there, you will tour the outbuildings where much of the day-to-day domestic activity on the plantation took place - from the curing, spinning and laundry houses to the living quarters for overseers and slaves. The plantation gardens will demonstrate firsthand why Washington was considered the foremost horticulturist of his day. As you venture down the pathway, you will see the tombs where George and Martha Washington are buried along with other family members. Throughout your visit, you will observe the beautiful landscape that has been carefully and meticulously groomed for decades.

Following the tour of Mount Vernon, the tour continues to historic Old Town Alexandria, the famous port city along the Potomac that was home to many of our nation's founding fathers. The tour will pass Christ Church (where both George Washington and Robert E. Lee worshiped), the Lee Boyhood Home, the Lee-Fendell House, the Carlyle House and George Washington's townhouse and the Apothecary Shop.

Lunch will be served at Gadsby's Tavern - an authentic 18th century pub. Time is also built in to visit the city's numerous galleries and quaint shops along historic King Street.