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The Smithsonian Institution Building provided a bird's eye view of the Civil War from 1861 to 1865. The Castle's towers provided a clear view across to battles in Virginia and Maryland. Union soldiers drilled on the grounds surrounding the Institution. And the influx of soldiers and citizens to the nation's capital increased the number of visitors to the Smithsonian's exhibits and programs. These images show how remote the Castle was from downtown Washington and how close it was to nearby Confederate Virginia.

Social/cultural history of famed Willard Hotel --often called the center of Washington more than either the Capitol or the White House or the State Department. Founded in 1847 on land originally owned by Scottish proprietor, David Burnes.

Summarizes landmark 1953 resuscitating laws on the books since 1870s regarding discrimination, but not enforced. A liberal Supreme Court ruled that segregation in public accommodations in Washington, DC, was illegal.

Summarizes landmark 1953 resuscitating laws on the books since 1870s regarding discrimination, but not enforced. A liberal Supreme Court ruled that segregation in public accommodations in Washington, DC, was illegal.