DEL.ICIO.USFor the Journal-Constitution
Published on: 02/13/08
Washington — Where better to spend the long Presidents' Day weekend than in D.C., where those who served in the highest office have been memorialized? But this time, go beyond the basics and check out some of the sites that the typical tourist might overlook.
Of the landmarks that define Washington, some of the most notable and visible are those that honor past presidents. Some, like the Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial, have an overwhelming presence on the city's landscape and are easy to pick out from the backseat of a car or the window of an plane.
 T. Opdyke III / Special | ||
| This bronze statue of a cavalry charge is part of the U.S. Grant memorial in Washington, D.C. | ||
 T. Opdyke III / Special | ||
| Visitors can overlook the memorial to assassinated president James Garfield, although it's close to the U.S. Capitol. | ||
 T. Opdyke III / Staff | ||
| This granite monolith is the centerpiece of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Memorial Grove along the Potomac River. | ||
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Along with the structures dedicated to Washington and Lincoln, most visitors flock to the Jefferson Memorial and the site of John F. Kennedy's grave in Arlington Cemetery. The Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial, dedicated in 1997, is one of the newer additions to the Mall area. Its meandering paths lead visitors through outdoor "rooms" of pools, waterfalls and walls inscribed with Roosevelt's quotes. The main attraction is a 10-foot statue of Roosevelt in a wheeled chair. Especially on a hot afternoon, the FDR Memorial is a shady, quiet respite from the crowds at the Mall.
But after you've taken that elevator ride to the top of Washington's obelisk or climbed the stairs to the Lincoln pavilion, visit these sites that honor the memories of presidents past.
James Buchanan (1857-1861)
This president from Pennsylvania was never married, but his niece, Harriet Lane Johnston, left a bequest for a monument to her uncle that was dedicated in 1930.
It's tucked away in a corner of Meridian Hill Park, at 16th Street N.W. and Florida Avenue N.W. It shows Buchanan seated in a chair supported by eagles and is flanked by two toga-draped statues.
On the wall nearby is the inscription, "The incorruptible statesman whose walk was upon the mountain ranges of the law."
The location of the monument is probably happenstance. "They were probably working on that park when they designated a space for the statue," said Gary Scott, regional historian for the National Park Services' capital region.
James Garfield (1881)
A small landscaped island across the street from the Capitol holds the bronze statue of the 20th president. Its base is supported by three sandal-shod youths representing Garfield's career as soldier, statesman and scholar. He was the second president to be assassinated.
With cars whizzing around it on all sides, it's in a tough spot to walk to and a seemingly odd spot for a presidential memorial. But there's a reason it sits across from the U.S. Botanic Garden.
"It's near the train station where Garfield was shot," said historian Scott. "The station has since been torn down to make way for the National Mall, but the memorial is just up from where the train station used to be."
Ulysses S. Grant (1869-1877)
At the foot of Capitol Hill, separated from the Capitol by a busy street, is a massive bronze memorial to the Civil War general and president from Ohio.
It fills a small plaza with three distinct sections. The center is anchored by four lions around a marble base, lined with marching soldiers and topped with Grant astride his horse. To the left is another work, depicting a cavalry charge, with rearing horses, screaming soldiers and the battle flag. On Grant's right is a depiction of soldiers in a horse-drawn cart, hauling a cannon.
"This is really a memorial to General Grant, showing him in his military uniform," said Scott. "It's more a monument to the Civil War. It sits in a section that was called Union Square and was meant to compliment the Lincoln Memorial at the Mall's other end of the Mall."
Woodrow Wilson (1913 to 1921)
The 28th president and former head of Princeton University has a multifaceted memorial in the District.
Many of his possessions, clothes and presidential gifts are as he left them at his post-presidential residence, 2340 S St. N.W. An ailing Wilson moved into the four-story home in 1921 and lived there until his death three years later.
Wilson's second wife, Edith, worked with historians to detail how the house was decorated during the couple's years there. Inside, visitors will find a baseball signed by England's King George V; a grandfather clock built to resemble the one Wilson heard outside the Oval Office; and paintings by Wilson's first wife, Ellen. The house tour offers peeks into the elevator, kitchen, butler's pantry, bathrooms and Wilson's closet, with a collection of walking sticks and suits. A garage houses his Rolls Royce.
Lyndon B. Johnson (1963-1969)
Instead of a statue, this remembrance of the tall Texan president is part of a small nature center along the Potomac River, just off the George Washington Memorial Parkway.
Leave the car in the free parking area and walk across a bridge to the island, planted with white pines, azaleas and dogwoods. Follow the winding path to its end: a small flagstone plaza anchored by a 19-foot granite monolith, surrounded by three granite slabs inscribed with LBJ quotes. The site was selected by Lady Bird Johnson. The grounds also include a picnic grove and walking trails.
IF YOU GO
Getting there
Expect to pay about $200 round-trip airfare from Atlanta to Washington.
About the sites
Information about presidential monuments is on the National Park Service Web site, www.nps.gov. Details about the Wilson house, including opening hours and admission, are at www.woodrowwilsonhouse.org.
Where to stay
• The Churchill Hotel, 1914 Connecticut Ave. N.W., is a charming 1906 building close to the Dupont Circle Metro station. It's "D.C. Lights by Night" packages start at $169 and include a trolley tour of the city's memorials. 202-797-2000; www.thechurchillhotel.com.
• JW Marriott, 1331 Pennsylvania Ave., is close to the city's main monuments. Weekend packages include overnight parking or up to four Metro passes per day and start at $259. 1-888-236-2427; www.marriott.com.
• The Ritz-Carlton, 1150 22nd St. N.W., offers a Culture Kids package complete with treats and tour guides who will show children the highlights. Rates start at $339. 202-835-0500; www.ritzcarlton.com.
Where to eat
• Capitol City Brewing Company, 2 Massachusetts Ave. N.E., is a casual spot to grab a burger, plate of pasta or a platter of barbecue ($8 to $16.95). Don't miss the array of microbrews. 202-842-2337; www.capcitybrew.com.
• Ristorante Luigino, 1100 New York Ave. N.W., features a full menu of Italian favorites as well as a build-your-own pizza menu ($13.50-$17.75). 202-371-0595; www.luigino.com.
• District Chophouse & Brewery, 509 7th St. N.W., is a former bank building that now features a dining room devoted to seafood and steak at lunch and dinner. ($12-$32). 202-347-3434; www.chophouse.com.
Information
• Washington DC Convention and Visitors Association, 202-789-7000; www.washington.org.
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