Mall Times October 2007 The Funeral of George Washington Welcome from the Superintendent Jerry Hawn Park Ranger The National Mall & Memorial Parks is where In recent for the whole country. Lee, who day break in Philadelphia signaled America and the world come years, park was serving as a Virginia the beginning of funeral events on to reflect, honor, and rangers on Congressman, had been an officer the 26th, and volleys repeated on a celebrate. As part of the the National with the Revolutionary forces and a half hour basis through out the National Park System, we Mall were close associate of Washington for morning. Troops assembled at the actively many years. He gave his speech on State House as people came from provide opportunities for use involved December 26, 1799. Mr. Lee’s words the surrounding countryside to and enjoyment of the park for with funerals still echo with Americans after over observe the ceremony. The all while preserving the for former two centuries: splendid and somber march, cultural and natural treasures President accompanied by the sounding of of our nation’s capital for Reagan and “First in war, first in peace and muffled drums, proceeded through former President Ford. These first in the hearts of his Philadelphia a little past noon. A future generations. Every one events seemed to overtake the countrymen, he was second to riderless horse, escorted by two of us is dedicated to serving, emotions of the nation for several none in the humble and marines wearing black scarves, educating, and inspiring days and even weeks. As you stand endearing scenes of private life. preceded the clergy. In the visitors about the memorials at the base of the Washington Pious, just, humane, temperate Pennsylvania Gazette it was Monument and reflect on the life and sincere—uniform, dignified reported that the horse carried an and their place in our national of George Washington, how do and commanding—his example empty saddle, holsters, pistols, and heritage. I know you will you think the nation responded to was as edifying to all around boots reversed in the stirrups. The enjoy the many interpretative his death? him as were the effects of that horse also was “trimmed with black programs provided by park On December 14, 1799, George example lasting. Correct the head festooned with elegant Washington died at his estate at throughout, vice shuddered in black and white feathers - the rangers and I hope that your Mount Vernon, Virginia. The his presence and virtue always American Eagle displayed in a rose visit to the National Mall & nation had to deal with the loss of felt his fostering hand. The upon the breast, and in a feather Memorial Parks will be a a true leader of the young nation. purity of his private character upon the head." In the midst of the wonderful experience. Washington led the troops to gave effulgence to his public procession, pallbearers carried an victory. He advanced the process of virtues. Such was the man empty casket. Arriving at the Ger- creating the new form of for whom our nation mourns.” man Lutheran Church, the bier was Stephen Lorenzetti government. He became the first put in the middle of the center Acting Superintendent leader for a newly formed Mock funerals were held all over aisle, and members of Congress and National Mall & Memorial Parks government. Now…this man was the country. Perhaps, the most other participants heard prayers by gone. How would the nation react? memorable of these funerals took the Reverend William White, a Some of the most well known place on December 26, 1799, in bishop of the Episcopal Church in words describing George Philadelphia, which was serving as the United States. Congressman Washington came in a eulogy the nation’s “temporary” capital Henry Lee read his eulogy from delivered by "Light-Horse Harry" for 10 years while the new federal above before a crowd reported to Lee. After hearing of Washington's city was being constructed. The be. The memorial service death, the United States Congress many mock funerals took place concluded with vocal and which was meeting in Philadelphia, over a period of several weeks. instrumental music, and the firing chose Mr. Lee to deliver a tribute The firing of sixteen cannons at of three volleys. National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Ranger Programs General Information National Mall & Memorial Parks 900 Ohio Drive SW National Mall Bicycle Tours Page 2 Washington Monument Tickets Page 4 Washington, DC 20024 Walking Tours Page 2,3 Ford’s Theatre Page 4 Park Trivia Questions Page 2 Old Post Office Tower Page 4 Phone: (202) 233-3520 Urban Campfire Programs Page 3 Park Trivia Answers Page 4 Internet: www..nps.gov/nama Daily Ranger Programs Page 4 www.nps.gov/mall Radio: 1670 am National Mall & Memorial Parks Newspaper • October 2007, Volume 1 Issue 2 Bike Tours Sunday, October 21 Saturday, October 20 People of DC Walking Tour: Constitution Join National Park Service Rangers every Saturday and Sunday for Famous Names, Extraordinary Avenue Past and Present FREE guided bike tours of the Nation’s Capital. All tours start at Stories 10:00 a.m. 2-3 hours 1:00 p.m. from the Thomas Jefferson Memorial Plaza (at the base of the memorial steps) and last approximately three hours. All See tour description for Saturday, Wars, Presidents, Parks, and Canals riders must have their own bike, helmet, and water. Call Ranger October 13. have something in common. Lace up your favorite walking shoes and Jason Martz for more information (202)438-4391. Saturday, October 27 explore Constitution Avenue with Unexplored Tales of the City National Park Service Rangers. As Truth is Always More you explore one of the significant Fascinating than Fiction avenues of the Nation’s Capital, learn the history of the area as well The truth surrounding the as view some of the landmarks that Presidents of the United States; make Washington D.C. a city for all strokes, heart attacks, depression, ages. Meet the rangers at the 17th gout, dysentery, or worse. They’re street entrance to the WWII human too, but their job Memorial. Please bring water, description often hides the truth comfortable shoes, sunscreen, and a from the public. Were you taught hat. For more information contact that George Washington cut down Joshua Bernick at (240) 375-5349. a cherry tree or Abraham Lincoln wrote his Gettysburg Address on Saturday, October 27 the back of an envelope while Working for Equality: Women riding a train? The truth regarding in 20th Century Wartime these and other misunderstood and America fictitious legends is just the 1:00 p.m. 2 hours beginning concerning these tours. These tours prove once and for all “Women who stepped up were that true American history is measured as citizens of the nation, stranger than fictitious American not as women . .” The role of history. women in American History has changed significantly over time. Saturday, October 6 Saturday, October 13 Sunday, October 28 Join National Park Service Rangers Off the Beaten Path People of DC History of the Mall for this tour as they explore the Discover Lonely and Famous Names, Extraordinary Explore the History of lives and efforts of notable women Overlooked Landmarks Stories America’s Front Yard of the 20th Century as they worked for change, broke boundaries, and You may have seen them on a map, Get to know the people behind the The history of the National Mall is redefined long standing traditional driven past them hundreds of city. See and hear how the as diverse and fascinating as the roles. Meet at the Vietnam times, or even walked up to one of influential personalities of history of our nation itself. From Veterans Memorial kiosk. Contact them out of curiosity. What are Washington, DC have affected the George Washington’s vision of the Stacy Shannon for more informa- they, who do they memorialize, city, the landscape, the Federal City to the District of tion (240) 375-3004. and, more importantly, why are architecture, and the culture of the Columbia of today, how has this they here? In a city full of colossal Nation’s Capital over time. span of green space in the heart of and iconic memorials to great men Presidents, First Ladies, Governors the Nation’s Capital been altered National Mall & Memorial and even greater deeds, these and Mayors, authors, poets, famous over time? How has this area been Parks Trivia statues, urns, and symbolic gestures and infamous characters alike have influenced by great natural, of friendship and remembrance can helped shape the history of cultural, historical, and social events be found all over DC, yet, their Washington, DC. These people through time? Come see and hear 1. Who was the President of the stories have gone largely untold, have helped influence, not only the how The National Mall has evolved United States when construction until now. Find out the stories of city, but the entire nation. These into what you experience today. started on the Washington these lonely landmarks from our are their stories. Monument? Rangers. Walking Tours 2. Who laid out the city of Sunday, October 7 Thursday, October 11 Washington and what was the Unexplored Tales of the City First Woman of the World: original name? “All Quiet Along the Potomac Eleanor Roosevelt in 20th Tonight:” The Battle of Ball’s Century America 3. What was the original name of Bluff 1:00 p.m. 1-2 hours Constitution Avenue? On October 21, 1861, the Civil War Eleanor Roosevelt left her mark on 4. How tall is the statue of Battle of Ball’s Bluff raged just a many causes and left a lasting Thomas Jefferson inside the few dozen miles from Washington impression of the role of the First Thomas Jefferson Memorial? City near a bend in the Potomac Lady.