September 16-23, 2019

Louise Cosca Regional Park

Clinton, MD

We parked at the Branch Avenue Metro Station and took the train into the city on the day we went to the Capitol Galleries. 

After going through the general security screening we made our way to the Senate security area where we had to check in our electronics and go through a second security screening before being shown to seats in the gallery.  We didn’t stay long because there wasn’t much going on. 

After going through the same screening procedure as mentioned above for the House gallery we were informed that they were in recess.  GEEZ.  (No photos are allowed in the gallery.)

After finding out that we would have hours until the House would be in session at 5Pm, we decided to walk the few blocks to Ford’s Theatre.

Just five days after General Lee’s surrender, President and Mrs. Lincoln attended a performance at Ford’s Theatre. 

 

 

 

 

 

 John Wilkes Booth, a famous actor, desperate to aid the dying Confederacy shot Lincoln, then jumped down to the stage and escaped through a rear door.

The museum in the basement of the theatre contains exhibits on Lincoln’s presidency, Civil War milestones and the assassination plot.

Once in the theatre we were able to sneak a peek into the Presidential Box. 

On the day of our visit stagehands were busy building the set for the upcoming production of the play, Fences.

 

 

Included in Ford’s Theatre National Historic Site is the Petersen House, located directly across the street from the theatre.

After Lincoln was shot, he was carried to the Petersen House and placed into the first-floor bedroom where he died the next morning.

The Center features three rooms in the house furnished in 1865 period pieces and two floors of exhibits addressing the immediate aftermath of Lincoln’s death and the evolution of Lincoln’s legacy. 

One of the best features of the museum space is the winding staircase and 34-foot tower of books about Abraham Lincoln. 

The “books” in the tower are made from aluminum

After walking back to the Capitol Building we went through the double security screening again before entering the House Gallery.  It was interesting to watch the voting procedure but the best part of the experience was to witness a new congressman being sworn in due to a special election that had been held in North Carolina.

In addition to the National Historic Sites within Washington D.C. there are several NHS near where we were camping in Maryland.  

 

The Thomas Stone National Historic Site was the property of one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. 

Stone purchased the property and constructed a new home in 1771 for his wife Margaret and their two daughters. 

 

 The original plan was to build a small, modest home but that changed when his father died and five of his younger brothers and sisters came to live with him.

 

 

From the time of Stone’s death in 1787 until 1936 when the land was sold the descendants of Thomas Stone continued to live in the home.

We also visited Port Tobacco Village, a short drive away from the Stone house.

Settled by the English in the 17^th century, the town became the second largest in Maryland.  It was a seaport with access to the Chesapeake Bay and Atlantic Ocean.  After river traffic was cut off by silting and the town was bypassed by the railroad, it fell into decline. 

Our final excursion, while staying at Louise Cosca Regional Park, was to Fort Washington Park that was for many decades the only defensive fort protecting Washington D.C.

We began our tour at the Visitor Center where I stamped my passport and then walked the path down to the entrance to the fort.

During our tour I “volunteered” to participate in a dance demonstration by the Arlington House Victorian Dance Society.

 

It was extremely hot during most of our stay at Louise Cosca Regional Park but we did have a couple of nights that were cool enough to enjoy a campfire.