Visit Washington's Treasures
A fascinating collection of historic sites and objects survive in the nation's capital thanks to grants from Save America's Treasures (SAT). The permanent project, launched by Hillary Rodham Clinton with the help of the National Trust for Historic Preservation and continued under the leadership of Honorary Chair Laura Bush, and has secured hundreds of millions of dollars in federal and private preservation grants to protect America's irreplaceable buildings and collections. If you need directions to any of these sites during your trip to Washington, use our special interactive map to find your way.
The Star Spangled Banner, Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of American History: On September 14, 1814, Major George Armistead hoisted an American flag above Ft. McHenry, signaling victory in the Battle of Baltimore during the War of 1812. Amateur poet Francis Scott Key witnessed the 25-hour bombardment and penned a poem in tribute to what he called the "Star-Spangled Banner." In 1998, the National Museum of American History launched the Star-Spangled Banner preservation project. SAT's signature project, the conservation of this flag was funded largely with SAT contributions, most-notably $13 million from Polo Ralph Lauren, $5 million from The Pew Charitable Trusts, and $3 million from the federal SAT program. Ten years and a major museum renovation later, the new National Museum of American History reopened this past November with the Star-Spangled Banner at its heart. It's a must-see on the Mall. Click here for more information.
The World Trade Center Model: This model of the World Trade Center – part of internationally-renowned Prints and Drawings Collection of the Octagon, the museum and headquarters of the American Architectural Foundation – is the last authentic three-dimensional record of the World Trade Center complex. Constructed by the office of project architect Minoru Yamasaki between 1969 and 1971, this model serves as a visual and emotional reminder of the iconic towers that once dominated Manhattan's skyline. In 2003, SAT funded the fragile model's conservation with a federal award and a private grant through Alcoa. It is on special exhibit at the National Building Museum through January 14, 2009. Click here for more information.
The Octagon Museum: The Octagon, headquarters of the American Architectural Foundation, was designed by Dr. William Thornton, architect of the U.S. Capitol, in 1799-1801. Because of its proximity to the White House, it has played important roles throughout history, including as a temporary residence for President Madison when the British burned the city during the War of 1812. The triangular plot of land on which the house stands determined the form of the six-sided building. It is considered one of the best examples of Federal period architecture, and the oldest museum in the United States devoted to architecture and design. In 2005, the Octagon received a prestigious $225,000 SAT federal grant for its restoration. Tours have been temporarily suspended during the restoration, but the foundation's ongoing exhibits are on display at the neighboring American Institute of Architects. Click here for more information.
Sewall-Belmont House and Museum: Constructed c. 1799, it was the home of Treasury Secretary Albert Gallatin from 1801 to 1813, and the only site in Washington to offer armed resistance when British troops invaded the city in August 1814. It later became a beacon of liberty for American women in the 20th century as the headquarters for the historic National Woman's Party and home of the suffragist leader, Alice Paul. Today, this National Historic Landmark, located across the street from the U.S. Supreme Court, is a unique public museum open five days a week with tours, films, educational programming honoring women's long struggle for suffrage and equal rights, and dynamic exhibits from an unparalleled collection of original suffrage banners, archives and artifacts. As a testament to its historic significance and its preservation needs, the Sewall-Belmont House was named as one of the four national projects in the legislation that created SAT –the other three were the Star-Spangled Banner flag, the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution. It also was awarded over $700,000 in public and private preservation funds through the program. Click here for more information.
Congressional Cemetery: Congressional Cemetery, established in 1807, is considered America's first "National Cemetery." It serves as the final resting place for 19 Senators, 71 Representatives and many other notables, including John Philip Sousa, Mathew Brady, J. Edgar Hoover and Dr. William Thornton. The cemetery holds 18,000 monuments which serve as significant examples of memorial art. It received an early $52,880 federal grant through SAT. Click here for more information.
Tudor Place Historic House and Garden: Tudor Place, completed in 1816 by Thomas Peter and his wife Martha Custis Peter, granddaughter of Martha Washington, was designed by Dr. William Thornton, the first architect of the U.S. Capitol. The elegant Neo-classical house was the home of six generations of the Peter family and is now a National Historic Landmark. SAT worked to preserve this Georgetown landmark and helped it win a $100,000 federal SAT grant plus in-kind support from the International Furnishings and Design Association. Click here for more information.
Charter of Freedom and Murals at the National Archives: Each year, more than 1.5 million visitors come to the National Archives Rotunda to see the nation's founding charters of freedom: the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. While waiting in line to experience the charters, visitors can appreciate two large murals, the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, which adorn the Rotunda walls. Since 1952, the charters of freedom have been on continuous display at the National Archives. Sealed in glass encasements, the charters are lowered into a steel and reinforced concrete vault each night. Before the Rotunda opens each morning, the documents are mechanically raised into the marble display cases. After many years on display, both the encasements and the murals were deteriorating. In his 1998 State of the Union address, President Clinton made the preservation of these enduring symbols of our democracy a national priority. Through SAT, public and private grants totaling $1.5 million funded preservation and protection so that they can be enjoyed by future generations. Click here for more information.
The Thurgood Marshall Center: The Thurgood Marshall Center for Service and Heritage is located in the historic Twelfth Street YMCA building, the first full-service African American Young Men's Christian Association. Designed in the early 1900s by W. Sidney Pittman, one of the country's first African-American architects and son-in-law of Booker T. Washington, it was built largely by African-American artisans – including the young attorney, Thurgood Marshall. Today, the center named in his honor is an innovative community project in the heart of historic Shaw that is dedicated to preserving the heritage of this landmark restored with help from SAT, while providing services for at-risk children, families and youth through the six non-profit organizations housed here. The museum of the Shaw Heritage Trust, located on the first floor of the center, offers a living history of African Americans in the Shaw community through exhibits and videos. For more information, see thurgoodmarshallcenter.org or read more about historic YMCA buildings in Preservation Magazine's "Fun to Stay at the YMCA" article.
Mary Church Terrell House: Built in 1907, this National Historic Landmark owned by Howard University was home to Mary Church Terrell and her husband Judge Robert Terrell. Today, it stands as a testament to her life and achievements in civil rights and voting rights, as well as her educational and humanitarian contributions that helped alter the nation's sociopolitical landscape. Ms. Church Terrell was the founding president of the National Association of Colored Women. She worked tirelessly for universal suffrage, equal opportunity and protections under the law for all individuals regardless of background. Her appointment to the D.C. Board of Education was a milestone for inclusiveness in the development of educational policy. The house stands within the LeDroit Park Historic District, once the hub for the city's black intelligentsia. Restoration of the building and the formation of the Robert and Mary Church Terrell House and LeDroit Park Museum and Cultural Center is a critical catalyst for the ongoing revitalization of the community. Thanks to a federal SAT challenge grant and critical matches from HUD, CarrAmerica, Clark Construction, the National Trust for Historic Preservation, and the D.C. Office of Historic Preservation, the critical first phase to restore and seal the building's exterior is complete. While the site is still under restoration and not currently open to the public, it is part of many area walking tours, including that of the Ledroit Park Historic District. Click here for more information.
Carnegie Library: Built in 1903, the historic Carnegie Library was the city's first public library and one of the largest and finest of the libraries built by Andrew Carnegie. Designed in the Beaux-Arts style and situated along busy Massachusetts Avenue across from the D.C. Convention Center, the building's distinctive verdigris roof makes it a familiar Washington landmark. Restored with the help of federal SAT funds, the Carnegie Library is now headquarters to the D.C. Historical Society, where visitors can learn about the city's history and view other locally-focused rotating exhibits. Click here for more information.
Comments
This story is closed to new comments.
Submitted by tiger at: January 12, 2009
This is a great project for the Trust to do and should be very helpful to those who travel to Washington, D.C. in the coming year. And, a good reminder to everyone as we review all the historic resources in the D.C. area. Thank You!