Historic Congressional Cemetery

Today's finding-something-to-do-while-I-wait-to-start-work took me to the southeastern part of D.C., to mill around the Historic Congressional Cemetery. As we have covered in many posts, I like old things. I like history. And for these reasons, I really like old cemeteries. No, I am not weirdly obsessed with death; I just find looking at markers from those who have gone before to be fascinating. I think it is really easy to think of history in the abstract: as something that you know conceptually happened, but it's hard to imagine it being actually "real." I find old cemeteries nice reminders that yes, these people were real, had lives just like our own, that all the things you read about in history books, was at one point the living experience of the people who are memorialized in stone. I also always like to look at the birth and death dates of the tombstones, and imagine or wonder what it would have been like to live during the period listed. I also think it is really cool to see the tombs of famous or notable people -- the historical figures who it is really easy to think about in the abstract, but seeing their final resting place also brings home the fact that they were not just names in a historical story, but real people. So yeah, I kind of geek out a little when I go to old cemeteries. And for me, the older the better.

The Historic Congressional Cemetery then was the perfect place to go. Dating back to 1807, it has been in D.C. almost as long as D.C. has been the Capital of the United States. And it was specifically commissioned as a place to bury congressmen who died in office (although it expanded beyond that pretty quickly), so there is a lot of history there.

What follows are some pictures I took of some of the more notable or interesting graves, with as much of the inscription as I could read (some inscriptions were sadly washed away by the elements, rending them impossible to read, or partially obscured).

First view of the cemetery

J. Edgar Hoover, of F.B.I. fame

"James Bright 1799-1863 his wife Elizabeth Bright 1806-1885"

"Departed this life April 2nd 1809 in the 27th year of her age after a lingering complaint, Mrs. Mary Perkins of Nottingham, Pennsylvania, comfort of Jeremiah Perkins, of this city"

Grave marker of a veteran from the War of 1812

"Revolutionary War[!] soldier John Kinny, Lieutenant, 3rd New Jersey regiment, born October 18, 1757 in Morristown, Morris County, New Jersey, died July 17, 1832 in Washington, D.C."

"Richard C. Rynek 1st LT CO F 23 REGT MO INF. Civil War. Dec 1837 - Jan 1921." I think that translates to "1st Lieutenant, Company F, Missouri Infantry," obviously from the Civil War

"Peter Lenox, born in Williamsburg, VA, March MDCCLXXI [1771], died in Washington, D.C. December MDCCCXXXII [1832]." Thanks to my boyfriend for providing the Roman numerals translation

"Benjamin Homans[?], born June 23 1765[?], died December 10, 1823." I am not entirely certain of the years, but the months and days are correct

Example of a smaller, more modest marker at the cemetery

From the cemetery's brochure: "Cenotaphs. Although the term cenotaph means empty tomb, about 80 congressmen are buried beneath the 165 unusual Aquia Creek sandstone memorials, which were erected to honor congressmen and senators who died in office. The practice ended about 1870 when Congressman Hoar claimed the sight of them gave new meaning to the horror of death. The average cost was about $125 each." There were two groups of these in the cemetery. This was the first group I found

Grave of Push-Ma-Ta-Ha (1764?-1824). "He died in Washington, on the 24th of December, 1824, of the croup, in the 60th year of his life. Among his last words were the following: 'When I am gone, let the big guns be fired over me.'" From the brochure: "Choctaw Indian Chief, warrior and diplomat, served with Andrew Jackson [really?] in the Battle of New Orleans during the War of 1812. While in Washington seeking payment of debts owed by the [U.S.] government to his nation, he died of croup in 1824 (the debts were unpaid until 1888). His military funeral, led by Senator Andrew Jackson [again, really?], stretched a full mile with thousands in the procession and others lining the way to his resting place. The guns from Capitol Hill thundered the tribute he had requested, 'that the big guns be fired over me.' This stone replaces the original, which was weatherworn." I will say one thing: this guy had the right idea about a final sendoff

"To the memory of Jane Summers Cook, consort of Peter W Cook, who departed this life April 19th, 1818, aged 21 years 8 months & 19 days. Also her infant son Orlando Bowling Cook, who departed this life August 8th, 1818, aged 10 months."

"William Gamble. Brig. Major N.J. Mil, Rev. War. January 15, 1833." I think that means Brigadier Major in the New Jersey militia of the Revolutionary War, died January 15, 1833

Memorial to a native American who served in the U.S. military

"Commander George L. Selden U.S.N., Born in Richmond, VA February 14th[?] 1813, died in Baltimore, MD February 14th 1864"

"The Honorable John Quincy Adams, a representative in the Congress of the United States, from the state of Massachusetts. Died Feb. 23, 1848. Aged 79 years." JQA! Only person to ever serve as a congressman after being the president of the United States

"In memory of General Peterson Goodwyn, a representative in the Congress of the United States, from the state of Virginia, who died February 23, 1818, aged 73 years." A plaque commemorating Peterson Goodwyn also read: "Commemorating the American Revolutionary service of General Peterson Goodwyn. General Peterson Goodwyn equipped his own company and was cited for gallantry at the battles of Smithfield and Great Bridge. Member of the Virginia House of Delegates 1789-1802. Selected as a Democrat to the Eighth and to seven succeeding congresses and served from March 4, 1803 until his death, February 21, 1818." Interesting to note the discrepancy between the two inscriptions regarding his death date

"Honorable Thaddeus Stevens, a representative in the Congress of the United States from the state of Pennsylvania, died August 11, 1868"

For those of you who need to refresh your recollection and saw Lincoln,

This guy

Image courtesy of bostonartsdiary.com

And what he actually looked like:

Image courtesy of biography.com

"The Honorable Henry Clay, a Senator in the Congress of the United States, from the state of Kentucky. Born[___], died 29th June 1852." Internet research says Henry Clay was born on April 12, 1777

"The Honorable John C. Calhoun, a Senator in the Congress of the United States. From the state of South Carolina. Born [__], died 31st March, 1850." Internet says Calhoun was born 18 March, 1782. I also seem to recall learning in A.P. U.S. History that Calhoun was a bit nuts, but I can't remember why

John J. Peabody. May 5, 1831. January 1[?], 1911. Mary J. Peabody. April 26, 1837. January 2, 1911. 'I am the resurrection and the life,' St. John 11-25.'" I photographed this memorial because I thought it was tragically romantic that the husband and wife apparently died within a day of each other

"Erected to the memory of our father and husband Joshua Gibson, who departed this life Oct 9th, 1861, aged 41 years. He was a kind friend, a devoted father, and a generous husband. May he rest in peace." Looking at the man's date, I wonder if he was a casualty of the Civil War

I found this marker odd; am not sure that I would want an overgrown bed of plants as my final memorial

Looking at the congressional markers, I was amazed as to how half of the people listed were serving in Congress (and dying) before they hit 40. It seems like everyone accomplished a lot more when they were a lot younger, than we tend to do today. I guess they kind of had to, though, since people were dying in their 40s and 50s. Kind of makes you feel inadequate, don't it?

One thing that was slightly odd about the cemetery, however, was the fact that it doubles as a for-members-only dog park, where people can go to take their pooches on a walk. Now, I love me some puppies as much as anyone, but it does seem weird to be having doggies do what doggies do on walks (if you know what I mean), in a cemetery. I'm not sure how I feel about that, given the respect one usually observes for the dead.

So yeah,cemeteries are cool. Particularly old and historical ones. And I do love the aesthetics and symbolism of a true stone memorial. I don't think (or at least I hope I don't) I have a terribly large ego, but one thing I have always been adamant about, is the fact that when it is finally my time to kick the bucket, I want to be buried with a stone marker. None of this cremation/ashes-to-ashes, scattered-to-the-wind BS. It doesn't have to be particularly big or flashy, like one of these huge pillars or mausoleums. But when I am gone, and when all the people who knew me and knew of me are gone, I at least want something (mostly) permanent to attest to the fact that I was here.

Historic Congressional Cemetery is located at 1801 E St SE, off of the Stadium-Armory stop on the Orange and Blue Metro lines. The cemetery proper is open to the public from sunrise to sunset. The cemetery also has a main building, and offers a variety of scheduled tours and events throughout the weeks and months. Check their website for specifics. Incidentally, they are apparently having a "spooky" tour on May 31, from 7:30PM-8:30PM. I might just take advantage of that, as I will admit, I do enjoy the spooky and macabre from time to time.

Antiquing

Another day not working. So I decided to scope out some more of D.C., and go "antiquing." "Antiquing" is apparently an actual hobby thing that people do, hence there being a name for it. Basically, it entails going to a bunch of antique shops in a day, and looking for good prices on cool finds.

Because I love old things (and pretty much anything historical. I am a total history nerd), I decided that going antiquing would be fun. I figured that D.C. would be a good a place as any to hunt for old antiques, since the whole area goes back to colonial time. There is bound to be some good stuff out there. So I went on the internet and looked up a few places that are supposedly good antique stores. I found three-- one of them is on U Street near Adams Morgan, the other two were in Georgetown (natch). So I started at the one on U Street (since U Street is the next stop after my metro stop, so it was on the way), and then went to Georgetown.

The first place I went was called Goodwood. It is located at 1428 U Street NW, about 2-3 blocks past the U Street Metro stop. It was your pretty standard antiques store: had a range on nick-nacky things; a lot of smaller items like jewelry or small home goods type stuff. They had furniture as well, which they used to display a lot of the other items, but that did not really seem to comprise the bulk of their stock. The items were tagged with prices, but did not come with dates or anything to indicate how old any item might be. So that was a little disappointing, but (as I came to find out), the upshot is, the store was very reasonably priced.

Sign in front of GoodWood

I appreciated that they had a Zelda Fitzgerald quote on an old schoolroom chalk board

Dresser setup with keepsake box. I ended up purchasing the box for $35

GoodWood is open Monday-Saturday 12:00PM-7:00PM, and Sunday 12:00PM-5:00PM.

The next stop was the two stores in Georgetown. Actually, that is slightly false: first, I made a detour into Foggy Bottom (Georgetown does not have its own metro stop, apparently. So I had to get off at the Foggy Bottom-GWU stop and walk about a mile to Georgetown. Whatever, walking is good for you) because the shoes I had been wearing were not so good for not getting blisters, and I knew getting to Georgetown would require walking. So I found a Nine West in Foggy Bottom and made a stop. On my way there, I found the European Union. Apparently, the EU gets its own embassy (actually, I think I knew that considering I just finished a semester on EU law). This has always struck me as a little strange: since the EU is a conglomerate of several countries, all of whom also have their own embassies and consulates, isn't that kind of like double representation?

The European Union. Sort of.

The first place I tried to go was called Susquehanna Antiques, which I had read online is like *the* place for antiques. But, naturally, while it was open for business, it had one of those "will be back in 15 minutes" notes on the door, so I had to kill time somehow. Luckily, there was an antiques store next to it! This store was called Cote Jardin Antiques, located at 3218 O Street NW. The store had a nice selection of goods, a lot of which was pretty "hardy;" like, if I had a nice backyard or something, it was a lot of the type of stuff that I would want to put in my back yard for decoration. Obviously, it also had indoor wares. Probably unsurprisingly given the store's name, the style of most of the things they carried was French/European. I actually quite liked their selection, although it was not an inexpensive place. I think the cheapest thing I found was priced at $120. Still, if you have the money and are in to rustic European type goods, this would be a excellent place to shop.

Entry to Cote Jardin Antiques

Large vase and table on display

Cote Jardin Antiques is open Monday-Saturday 11:00AM-5:00PM. Apparently, the store also has a location in Palm Beach, Florida.

After snooping in Cote Jardin, I found that the "back in 15" sign was still in place, so I had to find something else to do. I was determined to go to the Susquehanna Antiques, especially after walking all the way there. So to kill more time, I went to the next store on my list, which was only a couple blocks from Susquehanna. This place was called Random Harvest, located at 1313 Wisconsin Avenue. The store had a nice, classy selection of mostly furniture, that would look very nice in a contemporary home going for the rustic-New England-but-not-heavy-"old" look. As an antique store, however, I did not like it as much. It had antiques, but it was more of a combination between actual antiques, "vintage" wares, and newly-manufactured goods made to look old or rustic. So it was more of a speciality furniture store than a straight-up antiques store. If I had the cash, I would definitely think about purchasing some of their stuff, because it is very nice, but for antiquing, probably not as much.

Storefront of Random Harvest

Example of items on display

Interior of the second floor

Random Harvest is open Monday-Saturday 11:00AM-6:00PM, Sunday Noon-6:00PM. There are also locations in Old Town Alexandria, Alexandria proper, and Bethesda, Maryland.

After waiting around some more, I was finally able to go to Susquehanna Antiques, located at 3216 O Street NW. This place, for all you antiquers and lovers-of-old-things, is the real deal. It has apparently been in business for about 100 years, and its stock definitely bears testimony to that. Unlike the other antique stores I went to, this place had a much more warehouse feel to it: while the others tried to make some semblance of cohesive display, this place was just a depository of random old things everywhere, placed where room could be found. And random stuff did I find. There were a lot of canvases; in fact, canvasses and paintings fully decorated most of the walls, and room for some even had to be found on the floor. Seriously, 150-year-old canvasses were just stack together leaning next to tables. Some of the artwork was also tres cher; I am pretty sure I saw a $30,000 painting from the early 1800s in there. There was a wooden carousel horse from the 1920s, Polish silver Sabbath candlestick holders from the 19th century, and an old wooden dollhouse from I don't know when. There were Empire and Federal style gilded mirrors with their original glass, dating back to Revolutionary times (pretty much exactly like the mirrors and furniture I saw yesterday in the National Gallery). I even saw items dated back to the late 1500s. Basically, for a history geek, it was the greatest find, like, ever. Unfortunately, all of the items were pretty much out of my budget, which was super sad. Hopefully one day, when I in theory have a job and income, I can afford to go to places like this and just geek out totally. But again, if you have the money and are really into antiques, this is the place to go in D.C.

Entry to Susquehanna Antiques

Brochure from the store. About all I could afford to take with me

Interior of Susquehanna Antiques

Gorgeous shell-inlaid table. A good example of the beautiful stuff they carry

Susquehanna Antiques is open Monday-Saturday, 10:00AM-6:00PM.

So that was it for my day of antiquing. I could definitely see this becoming a hobby of mine, as I just find looking at old artifacts fascinating (and would love to have some of my own). I think, however, I will have to wait a bit to really "get into it," until I actually have an income that can support such a hobby.

On the way home I stopped at Pete's New Haven Style Pizza to grab a couple slices, since it is next to the Columbia Heights stop. It was pretty good thin crust pizza. One thing I have noticed about East Coast types: they are really intense about pizza. Apparently New Haven style is distinct from New York style pizza. And then there is the always-entertaining debate between East Coasters and Chicagoans, regarding thin crust versus deep dish. According to my Connecticut-raised boyfriend, Chicago-style deep dish pizza, while very good, "is not pizza." He is very insistent on this point. Maybe this is where the laid-back West Coast attitude comes in, but where I am from, flattened-out dough with some kind of cheese, sauce and toppings is pizza. Pizza is pizza, there aren't really any "styles" other than the distinction between take out quality and restaurant quality. Ah well. I like all pizza: I am an equal-opportunity muncher.

New Haven style pizza from Pete's

The Waiting Game

Still not working, still no word on the status of my security clearance. Just... waiting.

So instead of mope around for the day, after a leisurely morning and breakfast, I decided to go out and see stuff in D.C. And by see stuff, I mean go to the National Gallery of Art, because I am me.

I spent about 3 hours there, taking my time through the museum's West Building. It took me a while to figure it out, but it is on two floors. I started in the (basement? Not-main) floor. There was much colonial furniture from just prior to the Revolution, to about halfway through the 1800s. There was also much statuary and sculptures. One thing I did learn, was apparently Edgar Degas (of ballet dancer paintings fame) made a bunch of models for small sculptures, but never had them cast. After he died, the family found them, and had them cast. The National Gallery has the largest collection of these small statutes, and had many of them on display. So you learn something new every day.

I finally made my way to the main gallery on the main floor. And pretty much saw European paintings from the 1300s through about the 1600s or 1700s. This means: there were many portraits, ALL OF THE JESUS/MARY STUFF, and much representation from Italy and the Netherlands, with some French people thrown in for good measure. It was informative to look at, as I don't usually seek out this type of art; while I appreciate the insane skill it takes to paint like they did -- particularly in the 1500s and 1600s-- with exacting precision, I don't find Renaissance art particularly interesting, aesthetically or artistically. But it is good to see this stuff once in a while, if for no other reason to appreciate where modern (as opposed to art from antiquity) started, to then understand where it went and why.

Here are some of the works I came across. I took pictures of particularly famous works, because it was cool to see them in person.

Little Dancer by Edgar Degas

The Thinker by Rodin

If you are in D.C. and like art, here is the information for the National Gallery. Like so many things in D.C., admission to the Gallery is my favorite price: Free

Address: Between 3rd and 9th Streets, on Constitution Ave. NW

Hours: Monday-Saturday: 10:00AM-5:00PM, Sunday: 11:00AM-6:00PM

After I was done at the museum, I headed over to the DuPont Circle neighborhood. I went there looking for needle and some thread, which is kind of absurd, but I am glad I went. It is my new favorite neighborhood. I think it is somewhat arty and hipster-y, but I liked that because it means that there were a lot of funky, not-chain stores to check out. Like this one bookstore that was a combination bookstore, cafe, and grill. It was pretty awesome. There was another store that was like a walk-in, public art studio. Any person from the public could just go in, grab and canvas and some paint, and just create art. While I am definitely not that artistically-inclined, I definitely intend on going back and painting up a canvas some time while I am here. I love funky neighborhoods like that.

One thing I really love about the East Coast, is just how everything is old. I am a huge history buff, and find it fascinating that you can get things out here that date from the 1600s and the 1700s. Some of my most favorite "old" stuff, is definitely the architecture. You get styles that you just don't see much of out west, at least in ways that are authentic. In D.C., it is an interesting mix of the colonial and early-1800s style from New England, with some Antebellum Southern Plantation styles. And the resulting product is just so interesting, intricate, and often colorful. The pictures below will show what I mean. You just don't get that anywhere else.

Repurposed mansion in DuPont Circle

Row of houses in DuPont Circle. I particularly like the curvy, intricate form of the red house on the right

Row of houses on Monroe Street at 16th Street NW. Just love it

So it looks like I might be on my own for the next few days, trying to figure out what to do. I am going to try to explore D.C. some more, and find things to do that are not necessarily "typical." There are always the Smithsonians and the monuments, but I have been a tourist in D.C. three times before, and honestly, you can only go to the Lincoln Memorial so many times.

Until next time.

Maybe I should go here. Not going to lie, I want to know what makes this gallery "very special." Will have to go back to DuPont Circle to find out

Summer Adventure 2: Washington, DC

So, I realize I did not post much over spring break. I blame that on my boyfriend, who came to visit during the second week off. But you know what? Between blogging and spending time with the significant other, I am glad I spent more of my time doing the latter, and not the former. So no regrets.

Rather than blabber on about what we did, I will give you the sparknotes version, and post some pictures from spring break. For context: one day we went to Monterey, CA. The next day we went to San Francisco. The last day, we went to Napa, CA and Berkeley, CA. The pictures are assorted pictures from those trips. Here they are:

View of the Pacific from The Great Highway, San Francisco

View of ruins along the coast. They look ancient, but are only about 50 years old. Used to house pool complex of some sort

The Cliff House. Iconic and old San Francisco establishment, dating to before the 1906 earthquake. Used to be quite built up and fancy, back in the day

Awesome view of the sunlight setting over the Pacific

Wildlife chilling off the coast of Monterey, near the Monterey Bay Aquarium

Beach and ruins of an old dock at Cannery Row, Monterey, CA

Famous Chinese gate at the entrance to Chinatown in San Francisco

I did accomplish one nice thing over spring break: my ongoing quest to find a legit Chinese wok finally came to an end. The boyfriend and I finally found one in Chinatown in San Francisco. The nice lady even threw in a free pair of long Chinese cooking chopsticks. So you know, that only took looking in three different Chinatowns in three different cities over a 3000-mile span of the entire country.

Then spring break ended. And I came back to school. I arrived the day after Easter; I guess some people were getting in the spirit over break, because I found this on display in the library when I got back:

"Jury of your Peeps"

Not going to lie, seeing that was kind of awesome. Whoever made that is my new best friend.

So school started, went on for about five more weeks, and then reading week and finals. I am now done with another year; another one bites the dust, and only one more to go.

I finished on Thursday with my last final, and by Saturday I was on a plane to Washington, DC, to settle in and start my internship with the government. In theory I start on Monday, but some of my paperwork hasn't cleared as of Friday, so I may not be able to go in until later in the week. Kind of annoying, but if I can't go to work, I guess I will go to the National Gallery or something.

Haven't done much since arriving here. I got in later yesterday evening, so kind of just hung out. Today I unpacked and ventured to the nearby Target, to stock up on some supplies I didn't bother packing. Then I went on a reconnaissance mission to figure out how to get to work, so I do not end up lost and late for work on whatever day it is that ends up being my first day. I have been to DC before, but I always forget how epic some of the buildings are. They aren't very tall (due to a rule in place since the city's founding that no office building or anything, can stand higher than the Capitol Building. But what the buildings lack in height, they make up for in heavy stone architecture of imposingness, engraved quotes of weightyness, heavy quasi-Greek/Roman statutes of allegory, and intense-looking, huge doors.

The other thing I forgot, but then was reminded of, about DC is the absurd crosswalk timers. When the "walk" sign is on, it also helpfully counts down the time you have until the light is going to change. While most crosswalks I have seen counting down in other cities give like, 10-ish seconds, it is not unusual for the timers to give 30 second, 45 second, 60 seconds. And it is not just a few crosswalks. Like every crosswalk gives a ridiculous amount of time to cross what, 10 or 15 feet. I don't get it; are there a lot of really old, slow people in DC? I remember when I was last in DC, the spring break of my senior year in college, my boyfriend and I were endlessly amused by these crosswalks. Glad to see not much has changed.

Anyway, that's all the news that's fit to print. As I get around the city more I will post more pictures. So it all begins.