McLean Gardens: From Hope Diamond Estate to WWII Worker Housing to Wisconsin Avenue Condos
Friendship was the McLean estate where Evalyn Walsh McLean kept the Hope Diamond. In 1942 it became apartments for 3,500 war workers.
World War II
The Strange Sight of World War II Tanks Parading Down Pennsylvania Avenue
In 1947 (or possibly during WWII), a strange sight occurred on Pennsylvania Avenue: A parade of tanks rolling from the Capitol Building to the White House. Read more to learn why this happened and the discussion on Reddit.
A Look Back at Southwest Washington, D.C. Before the War
Take a look back at Southwest Washington, D.C. before the war with this amazing photograph of two young boys. See how the area was before it was destroyed and rebuilt in the ugly, brutalist style that stands today.
Understanding America’s Complicated Relationship with France
Revisit the history of the complex relationship between America and France, from the American Revolution to WWII and beyond. Learn more about the shared history and how it has shaped our views of each other.
1942 Washington, in Color
Street scene in Washington, D.C., winter of 1941-42. 4×5 Kodachrome transparency by Louise Rosskam, probably taken near the N and Union intersection of her other shots. Clues are the Chung Wah laundry at 1264, the J. Marucci barbershop and the A. Peterman clothing store.
Schoolboys Collecting Scrap Paper for WW2 Salvage Drive in Mount Pleasant, D.C.
Check out this cool photo from WW2 of schoolboys going door to door collecting scrap paper for a salvage drive in Mount Pleasant, D.C. Learn more about this historic moment captured on Google Street View!
The Mystery of the Photo: Was this WWII Couple Staging a Picture for the War Effort?
Take a look at this WWII photo of a couple visiting the Capitol. Could this romantic image have been staged for the war effort? Explore the mystery of this photo and the soldiers milling about in the background.
A Moment Frozen in Time: A Soldier and a Woman in a Park in 1943
![1943. On maneuvers in wartime Washington. "A soldier and a woman in a park, with the Old [Russell] Senate Office Building behind them." 4x5 Kodachrome transparency, photographer unknown. Office of War Information.](https://ghostsofdc.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2012/09/1a35462u_0.jpg)
Take a look back in time with this amazing photograph from 1943. A soldier and a woman in a park, with the Old [Russell] Senate Office Building behind them. A moment frozen in time that will take your breath away.
Remembering Buddy Lewis: A Washington Senator and WWII Veteran
Remembering Buddy Lewis, the Washington Senator and World War II veteran who served 11 seasons in D.C. and flew 350 missions over Europe to fight Nazi Germany. Learn about this heroic player, who passed away at the age of 94.