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Standing near the iconic Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., the Three Servicemen Statue by Frederick Hart offers a deeply moving tribute to those who served in the Vietnam War. Installed on Veterans Day 1984, the bronze sculpture depicts three soldiers, one Caucasian, one African-American, and one Latino-American, symbolizing the unity and diversity of American forces. Commissioned to complement Maya Lin’s minimalist “Wall,” this emotive artwork provides a poignant human face to the thousands of names etched in granite, subtly connecting realism with remembrance. Hart’s careful attention to detail, from worn combat gear to the soldiers’ youthful expressions, captures both the bravery and vulnerability of those who sacrificed so much.
Gorgeous sunrise Friday morning over DC, very happy I stopped for a smartphone snap of the monument.
At the corner of F and 10th Streets NW, the former flagship of Woodward & Lothrop—affectionately known as “Woodies”—still commands attention. Built in stages from 1887 to 1926 and expanded over time, this Beaux-Arts masterpiece boasts elaborate terra cotta detailing, neoclassical ornamentation, and a powerful presence in the heart of Washington, D.C. The building now houses government and commercial tenants, yet retains the splendor of its retail heyday. American flags fly proudly over richly ornamented entrances, while the morning sun crowns the cornice. Pedestrians and cyclists animate the historic intersection, weaving modern life into the enduring tapestry of this DC icon.
Not long after this wonderful ride on the 'Fat-Lantis' I shipped that bike off to Oregon as part of the deal that landed me the 'Purle-Luki Saluki'.
This ride was so memorable b/c Erika and I just bombed around on the Nat'l Mall int he snow. Childish and wonderful.
The clean, modernist lines of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History stand in quiet contrast to the lively stories housed within. Located on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., this museum preserves and presents the rich tapestry of American life—from the original Star-Spangled Banner to Dorothy’s ruby slippers, from presidential artifacts to pop culture icons.
This photo captures the museum’s north-facing facade, featuring polished marble panels and a recessed portico that stretches across its monumental elevation. Vertical banners flank the entrance, highlighting the museum’s vibrant rotating exhibitions. The tiered steps and dry fountain in the foreground are part of the museum’s adjacent plaza and amphitheater area, offering a place of reflection in the heart of the capital.
Designed by McKim, Mead & White associate Walker Cain and completed in 1964, the building originally opened as the Museum of History and Technology. Its stripped Classical style aligns with the postwar architectural sensibility seen in several Smithsonian institutions, emphasizing form and function while maintaining a dignified presence on the Mall. In 1980, it was renamed the National Museum of American History to better reflect its evolving mission.
Despite its austere exterior, the museum inside pulses with stories of innovation, struggle, creativity, and identity—making it one of the most visited museums in the United States. The inscription on the facade proudly reads: Kenneth E. Behring Center, recognizing a major donor whose contributions helped fund critical renovations in the early 2000s.
HABS Architectural Survey Standard:
Documented according to standards of the Historic American Buildings Survey (HABS):
Structure Name: National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Location: 14th Street and Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, D.C.
Style: Stripped Classical / Modernist
Date of Construction: 1958–1964
Architect: Walker Cain (McKim, Mead & White successor firm)
HABS Reference Number: DC-857
A scene of tranquility for those on foot, and utter chaos for those who thought their SUV's should handle it.
Pretty tight crop of a wide shot of the 'A' There were a ton of birds out in the Tidal Basin as I approached. Very surreal sight in the overcast/foggy morning. Unfortunately I approached like a lumbering elephant and didn't catch the full sight of them filling the scene.
Nikon D700
Nikon 105/2.5 AI-s
Check out the workmen on the roof, and the shadows the throw on the base of the dome!
Bathed in the soft glow of dusk, the monumental facade of the National Archives Building stands as a stoic guardian of American democracy. Located on Constitution Avenue in Washington, D.C., this neoclassical temple houses some of the nation’s most treasured documents—including the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights.
This image captures the building’s north-facing entrance, with its grand portico of Corinthian columns and richly sculpted pediment. The pediment relief, The Recorder of the Archives, was designed by James Earle Fraser and depicts the personification of History surrounded by figures representing national progress and wisdom. Beneath the pediment, the inscription reads: The ties that bind the lives of our people in one indissoluble union are perpetuated in the archives of the nation.
The architecture, designed by John Russell Pope and completed in 1935, draws inspiration from classical Greek and Roman civic buildings—symbols of republican ideals and enduring authority. Pope’s design emphasizes symmetry, permanence, and reverence, echoing the building's solemn purpose: to preserve and make accessible the foundational records of American governance.
At twilight, the light softens the stone, emphasizing the sculptural depth of the columns and frieze while casting a serene mood across the facade. The visual harmony of form, scale, and symbolism makes the National Archives one of the most iconic civic structures on the National Mall.
HABS Architectural Survey Standard:
Documented according to standards of the Historic American Buildings Survey (HABS):
Structure Name: National Archives Building
Location: 700 Pennsylvania Avenue NW / Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, D.C.
Style: Neoclassical
Date of Construction: 1931–1935
Architect: John Russell Pope
HABS Reference Number: DC-138
Looking skyward inside the Waldorf Astoria Washington D.C. reveals the architectural heart of the former Old Post Office Pavilion: a vast atrium capped by a steel-and-glass skylight. Spanning multiple stories, this breathtaking space blends industrial innovation with Romanesque design elements—characterized by rounded arches, iron ornamentation, and layered stone and plaster detailing.
Originally completed in 1899, the Old Post Office was designed by Supervising Architect Willoughby J. Edbrooke and featured cutting-edge construction for its time, including a steel internal skeleton that allowed for the open vertical space seen here. The atrium once served a practical purpose—allowing natural light into the mail sorting floors—and has since been preserved as a centerpiece of the building’s adaptive reuse as a luxury hotel.
The photo captures the latticework of the skylight, intersected by iron beams and flanked by repeating columned arcades on all sides. Suspended acoustic panels float below the glass ceiling, subtly modern additions to a historic structure. Decorative ironwork and ornamental capitals around the perimeter reflect the building's 19th-century grandeur.
Today, the atrium functions as a public and private gathering space—dramatic yet peaceful, airy yet grounded in stone and steel. This is one of Washington D.C.'s few remaining Romanesque Revival interiors on such a monumental scale.
HABS Architectural Survey Standard:
Documented according to standards of the Historic American Buildings Survey (HABS):
Structure Name: Old Post Office
Location: 1100 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, D.C.
Style: Richardsonian Romanesque
Date of Construction: 1892–1899
Architect: Willoughby J. Edbrooke
HABS Reference Number: DC-275
Once the city’s central post office, this grand Romanesque Revival structure now serves as the Waldorf Astoria Washington D.C.—a luxury hotel steeped in architectural heritage. Built between 1892 and 1899 and located at 1100 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, the building was originally the Old Post Office Pavilion and is one of the few late 19th-century federal buildings to survive in the area.
This photograph captures the front portico entrance with its massive central arch, heavy rusticated stone, and richly detailed carvings—all hallmarks of the Richardsonian Romanesque style. Architect Willoughby J. Edbrooke designed the structure while serving as Supervising Architect of the U.S. Treasury, favoring rounded arches, fortress-like massing, and medieval references that evoke strength and permanence.
Above the main entry is a contemporary gold Waldorf Astoria sign, while the flanking arched windows now house the Peacock Alley restaurant and the Waldorf Astoria Spa. These adaptations highlight a thoughtful preservation approach: retaining the building’s historic fabric while accommodating modern luxury.
After narrowly avoiding demolition in the mid-20th century, the Old Post Office was repurposed in the 1980s and underwent another major transformation in the 2010s when it was converted into a hotel. Through each chapter, its architectural integrity has been largely maintained, making it a rare and prominent example of Romanesque civic design in Washington, D.C.
HABS Architectural Survey Standard:
Documented according to standards of the Historic American Buildings Survey (HABS):
Structure Name: Old Post Office
Location: 1100 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, D.C.
Style: Richardsonian Romanesque
Date of Construction: 1892–1899
Architect: Willoughby J. Edbrooke
HABS Reference Number: DC-275
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This photograph captures the monumental architecture of the Federal Triangle in Washington, D.C., as seen from the plaza between the U.S. Department of Commerce (left) and the Federal Trade Commission headquarters (right). The curved façades, classical columns, and limestone cladding reflect the Neoclassical and Beaux-Arts styles that define much of the Federal Triangle—a historic area encompassing key government buildings built primarily in the 1930s.
To the left, the Herbert C. Hoover Building houses the U.S. Department of Commerce. Its inscription on the frieze—listing services like money orders and savings bonds—underscores the department’s broad economic influence. The building's Corinthian columns, symmetry, and monumental scale evoke democratic ideals and public service.
To the right is the apex of the Federal Trade Commission, an elegantly curved structure with a more restrained but equally powerful Classical Revival design. Visible in the plaza is Bearing Witness, a dark abstract sculpture by Martin Puryear. To the left, Federal Triangle Flowers by Stephen Robin adds a dynamic contrast with its large aluminum floral forms emerging from the fountain.
This central courtyard forms a symbolic and functional passage between government institutions and serves as a public space in the heart of D.C. Shot on an overcast day, the subdued lighting enhances the gray tones of the stone, allowing architectural details and symmetry to shine.
Documented according to standards of the Historic American Buildings Survey (HABS):
Structure Name: Herbert C. Hoover Building / Federal Triangle
Location: 14th Street NW, between Constitution Ave and Pennsylvania Ave, Washington, D.C.
Style: Neoclassical / Beaux-Arts
Date of Construction: 1932 (Commerce Building); 1938 (FTC Building)
Architects: Louis Ayres (Commerce), Bennett, Parsons & Frost (FTC)
HABS Reference Numbers: DC-354, DC-678
"Lincoln Reflections"... Been wanting to take a night shot of this for a long time now.. I will forever keep saying this, DC has one of the best nightlifes amongst all the other large famous metropolitan cities..
Dont forget to follow my journey at twitter.com/DL_Productions
I caught the first glimmer of a horizon (and first sight of the Capitol Dome) yesterday in the late afternoon. The lifting of the hazy, snowy mess was very uplifting.
I grabbed my bag and started walking. The light was very unique, soft and pastel like but after a day of NO color whatsoever it really brightened the mood.
This shot is from under the SE-SW Expressway on NJ Ave SE.