Stories about famous people and places in Washington, D.C.
Governor Clinton Delivers 1980 Georgetown Commencement
Here’s a rare one. You’re looking at then-governor Clinton of Arkansas, and Georgetown graduate, delivering the commencement speech at Georgetown for the graduating class of 1980. Any of you readers graduate with that class?
Trump Hotel in 1919
Here is the lovely Old Post Office Pavilion, currently the Trump Hotel on Pennsylvania Ave.
1879 Smithsonian Construction
This great old photo shows the Arts and Industries Building on the Mall under construction in 1879. And below we found an interesting 1878 rendering of what the building should look like. And finally, here’s a...
Smithsonian Castle in 1856
What a lovely old photo of the Smithsonian Castle in 1856. Click on it for incredible details.
1939 National Airport Photo Survey
National Airport in Arlington was opened in the summer of 1941, several months before Pearl Harbor. Below is a fascinating old image showing the aerial view of what would eventually become National Airport.
Washington Monument Under Construction in 1883
Washington Monument under construction with U.S. Fish Commission hatching ponds in the foreground and Bureau of Engraving and Printing building in the background.
The Brand New West Wing
This lovely old photograph shows the West Wing of the White House shortly after it was completed. Source: Library of Congress
Arkansas Congressman and the Argentine Stripper
I watched The Front Runner this weekend, the story about Gary Hart’s implosion of a presidential campaign in 1988. What a fascinating movie and slightly prescient of the tabloid times we live in today. It got...
The White House Before Fences and Security
Can you even believe this photo. This dude is just sitting on what appears to be a low stone wall on the south side of the White House. This would be E St. today and if...
Skeleton of National Archives Building in 1933
This is what the National Archives building looked like before it took shape in the 1930s. What a fascinating old photo. Source: National Archives
The Kennedys at Camp David
This photo was taken on March 31st, 1963. It shows the whole Kennedy clan happily spending some time together at Camp David. Caroline is on top of the horse, while little John holds his mother’s hand....
Rare Photo of Frederick Douglass in Front of His Home
This amazing find was dug up courtesy of the National Park Service. You’re look at a grainy image of Frederick Douglass standing in front of his home on Capitol Hill at 320 A St. NE. The...
Unfinished Jefferson Memorial in 1940
This great photo shows the Jefferson Memorial back in 1940, before World War II. Source: National Park Service Here’s another cool one we dug up.
Best Photo of Unfinished Washington Monument in 1877
Many of you know that the Washington Monument sat unfinished for decades, an eye-sore of a stump on what would become the National Mall. Here is what it looked like in 1877, as seen from the...
Incredible 1904 Photo of the Willard Hotel
This is one of the best photos we’ve uncovered in quite a while. Click on it for more. This is the new Willard Hotel around this year 1904. What a beautiful building, which thankfully still stands....
Rare 1890s Photo of Old Executive Office Building
Better known back then as the State, War, and Navy Building… This is a lovely old image of the historic and beautiful building. Click on it for a larger version. Source: Library of Congress
Stunning 1880s Photo of the White House
You have to see this amazing old photo of the White House. This is a view of the President’s Mansion from the south. Source: Library of Congress
Where Did President Grover Cleveland’s Cabinet Live?
Now this is a unique post for you. We came across a fascinating directory from the 53rd Congress (i.e., from 1893 to 1895 during Grover Cleveland’s second term in the White House). We wanted to do...