The massive granite Natural History Building houses millions of specimens of natural history. One of the largest collections of animal groups in the world is exhibited here. There are numerous botanical, zoological, and archeological collections. The National Zoological Park is the godchild of the Smithsonian Institution. In the early days of the Smithsonian, taxidermists used live models of animals that were kept on the Mall. When many models were needed Congress appropriated money to buy land along Rock Creek for the establishment of a zoo. This Zoo is one of the best in the world. It reproduces the natural settings where the animals have lived. Some of the rooms in the Zoo are heated and others are cooled. The smallest mammals in the world live in a room that has artificial moonlight. If anyone is looking for beauty hints, watch the snakes as they take their skin treatments. The spitting cobra and the barking deer usually attract people. The giraffes and the visitors eye each other with mutual curiosity. ART GALLERIES The National Gallery of Art This beautiful rose-white marble building contains one of the largest and greatest art collections ever assembled by a private individual. Andrew W. Mellon made a present of the building and its priceless collection of paintings and sculpture to our government. The gift was accepted by an Act of Congress on March 24, 1937. The National Gallery of Art is a bureau of the Smithsonian Institution and belongs to all the people in the country. The National Gallery contains a fine collection of art. It was Mr. Mellon's dream to bring samples of great art from all over the world to our Nation. Every purchase he made had to meet these three high standards. Each art item must show a subject of outstanding beauty or interest; it must be one of the artist's really great works; and it must be in excellent condition. As you move from one section of the gallery to another, you'll see students working at easels copying old masters. Any art student can do this free of charge provided he receives permission and makes arrangements with the curator's office. Scheduled talks and moving pictures or slides describing different paintings or exhibits is another service provided visitors by this institution. The Corcoran Gallery of Art The Corcoran Gallery is one of the few public buildings near the White House that has no large columns. One is greeted at the main entrance on 17th Street by bronze lions that are copies of famous ones in Rome, Italy. The Corcoran Collection of various kinds of art contains many from Europe, but it is noted for its record of the development of American painting. It is the main purpose of this institution to encourage American artists. Freer Gallery of Art In the Freer Gallery one may see examples of Oriental art, including Chinese and Japanese paintings, porcelains, and statuary. Charles Lang Freer, who gave this building and its collection of art to the government, was a great admirer of an American painter, James McNeill Whistler. He collected numbers of examples of Whistler's work. Many visitors go to this gallery to see the Peacock Room, which is in the southeast corner. The room was painted by Whistler for a London ship builder. Mr. Freer bought it in 1904 for $63,000. Phillips Memorial Gallery If you are interested in modern art, you will want to visit this gallery which is in the former home of the family for which it was named. Unlike the huge galleries found in the Capital City, this one is smaller and has an atmosphere of comfort and hospitality. It has one of the finest collections of modern paintings in our country. The purpose of this gallery is educational. Works of art are not only exhibited, but are arranged to show contrasts or comparisons. MEMORIALS The Washington Monument, Tombs of the Unknown Servicemen, and Lincoln and Jefferson Memorials Do you want to get a fine view of your Capital City? If so, visit the Washington Monument, preferably in mid-morning or early afternoon. The visibility is better then. The view from the top, 555 feet up, is breath-taking. As you look through the four windows you can see clearly L'Enfant's plan for the Capital City. To the east, a wide grassy Mall extends to the Capitol. To the west, over a reflecting Rainbow Pool is the Lincoln Memorial. How appropriate it is that the two Memorials, one for the founder of the Nation and the other for its savior, should be on the same axis with the Capitol! At the north end of a cross axis is the White House and at the south end, the Jefferson Memorial. An elevator takes visitors to the top of the Monument. As it whizzes upward in the hollow stone shaft, a voice tells the exciting story of the Monument's past. The voice comes from an invisible recording machine. Some visitors like to walk down the 898 steps to read what is on the Tribute Stones. Maybe one of them was donated by children from a Sabbath School in your home town or by some other organization there. The committee found that many queer things have been said about this Monument. Some of them are: It is upside down; it breathes; it has had tuberculosis; and it makes rain. Someone said that it is upside down because the top half is made of heavier stones than the bottom half. It seems to breathe because it is so elongated. This bit of magic is nothing but lateral expansion and contraction. Chained irons under steps keep it safe. Discharges did appear through the cracks at one time, but new cement was forced into the crevices where the walls were beginning to crumble. The attack of tuberculosis was over. On warm days the Monument does make rain. You have studied condensation of moisture in your science class. You can explain this rain by recalling the response of cold stone to the warm air outside. You chuckle over these queer stories as you leave this tall finger that points upward into the sky. But your mood becomes serious again as you approach the Lincoln Memorial. This classic, flat-roofed, marble shrine is strikingly located on an elevation. Roads and walks radiate outward from it, so that its beauty is seen from any kind of approach. The Reflecting Pool mirrors not only the Memorial but also the Washington Monument and the dome of the Capitol. The open wall of the Memorial makes the east entrance most impressive. The 36 fluted col |