The 1840s brought the beginning of some of Washington’s most iconic institutions. The Smithsonian opened its first building on the Mall, work began on the Washington Monument, and the city grew steadily as the nation expanded westward and the slavery debate intensified. These posts explore mid-19th century Washington in all its ambition and conflict.
Before Texas was a state it was a country. Eight of its ambassadors worked Washington between 1836 and 1845 to negotiate annexation.
An incredible map of Washington well before the Civil War. Lovely details for you to study.
This amazing old photo of the General Post Office in Washington, DC, still stands today. Check out the beautiful image from 1846. The building is now the Washington Monaco Hotel.
Take a look into the past with this drawing of the U.S. Senate chamber during the Thirtieth Congress. Learn more about the history of the U.S. Senate with this drawing from Duke University.
In 1846, an open design competition could have given Washington a very different Smithsonian Castle. One rejected design became a church. The church became a parking lot.
How about the 460 acres of land for sale along Rock Creek? This is the part of the park up near the Maryland border.
David Levy Yulee, of Florida, was not only one of the first senators from that state, but he was also the first Jewish senator.
Russia’s ambassador Baron de Bodisco was nearly 60 when he married 16-year-old Georgetown schoolgirl Harriet Williams.
Here is an interesting video that we found, showing a collection of really old photos of D.C.
