WASHINGTON, D.C. THE CAPITAL CITY Part 2
Description
The original catalog description provided by the Ford Motor Company reads as follows: “Washington is the political center of our national government. It is the home of the President and other officials elected by the people. Its site on the east bank of the Potomac was chosen by George Washington in 1791.” Artistic representation of plan of Federal Triangle. “Extending eastward from the Potomac River is the Mall.” Plan repeated with titles successively added for ‘Lincoln Memorial,’ ‘Washington Monument,’ ‘The Capitol,’ ‘Pennsylvania Avenue,’ ‘The White House.’ “Washington as the capital city was the dream of Washington and Jefferson. Major L’Enfant made the plan for the city. This plan has been cut in the stone of L’Enfant’s tomb.” Tomb of Major Charles L’ Enfant - close-up of plan engraved on stone. “Washington’s headquarters while surveying the capital’s site in 1791.” Old Stone House with basement shop and sign, ‘3049, H. Elmer Griffin, Painter.’ “The Capitol is at the center of Washington. It stands on a hill overlooking the city.” Capitol building as seen from the Mall. “It has been called ‘the most imposing building on earth.’ Its white dome is surmounted by a bronze figure of Freedom, 300 feet above the street.” Capitol dome. “The House of Representatives is in the south wing of the Capitol.” “The Senate is in the north wing.” “In the Senate the Vice-President presides.” Empty Senate chamber. “On March fourth, the President-elect takes the sacred Oath of Office on the Capitol steps.” Main entrance - Capitol steps. “After the Capitol was burned by the British in 1815, Congress met here.” Capital Hotel - sign, ‘Meeting place of Congress, 1814.’ - sign, ‘Site of the Old Capitol Building where President Monroe was inaugurated in 1817.’ - sign, ‘On this site was the Capital Prison where many famous persons were confined during the Civil War.’ “The President lives in the White House. As visitors we will go in at the north entrance.” Visitor enters - doorman opens door for visitor. “The East Room of the White House.” Tourist and guide in East Room. “The walks in the White House gardens are simple and beautiful.” “On the South Lawn the annual Easter Festival for children is held.” “After the British burned Washington in 1815, this was the White House where President Madison lived.” Octagon House - sign, ‘Temporary White House, 1814-15 and here the Treaty of Ghent was signed. Once occupied by M. Serurier, the French minister.’ “The Library of Congress has a copy of every book printed in the United States. It contains over 2,000,000 volumes.” “Passing through its beautiful hallway.” “We come to the reading room.” “The United States Treasury.” “The State, Army and Navy have headquarters in this building.” “The original copy of the Declaration of Independence is kept in the Department of State.” Portion of a draft of the Declaration of Independence - close-up of signatures. “The Government Printing Office prints all the books, government bonds, stamps and paper money. “Printing bonds.” “The government protects the inventor -- the Patent Office has plans of over a million inventions.” Patent Office building. “The Pension Building.” “Washington has many monuments to commemorate its heroes on land and sea. General U.S. Grant.” Statue of General U.S. Grant. “Arlington, the former estate of General Robert E. Lee, is the final resting place of many brave soldiers.” Lee mansion - Arlington National Cemetery. “America’s Unknown Soldier is buried in Arlington.” Flower-decked Tomb of the Unknown Soldier with U.S. Army Guards - tourists visit. “The World’s Arms Conference used the Pan-American Building.” “The delegates.” Still picture of delegates including Charles Evans Hughes and Georges Clemenceau. “All the foreign countries send ambassadors to live in Washington. The home of the French ambassador.” “Lafayette’s monument, the French general who aided us in the Revolutionary War.” Statue of Lafayette. “Ford’s Theater where Lincoln was shot.” “Across the street is the house where Lincoln died, April 15, 1865.” “The Lincoln Memorial is as simple as was the man.” “Washington’s monument overlooks the city…” “…founded by the wisdom and foresight of the Father of Our Country.” Portrait of Washington. “The End.” [1922]
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