By Robert Emdur
Washington, D.C. (District of Columbia) is located on the Potomac River between the States of Virginia and Maryland. Since the founding of the nation, Washington D.C. has been a federal district and is, therefore, not a part of any state. Student tours to the area can explore the political history of the district, which is governed by a locally elected mayor and a 13-member council. Students will also have the opportunity to visit many of the iconic locations that are at the heart of the American government. While in the city, there are several vital sites to cement a student's understanding of the workings of the American political system past and present. These include the White House, the Lincoln Memorial, the Capitol, and the Washington Monument.The White House - At the famous address of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, separated from the road by a large expanse of grass, sits the White House. As the official home to the United States President, it is high on the list of things to see in Washington D.C. Built between 1792 and 1800, it has 132 rooms (including the famed Oval Office), 35 bathrooms, and 6 levels. It is also the only private residence of a head of state that is open to the public free of charge. Tours must generally be arranged through a request from a member of Congress, or organised through professional companies that provide student tours.
The Lincoln Memorial - Located in a cluster of monuments in the National Mall, the Lincoln Memorial was built by Henry Bacon in the early 1900s. The sculpture of The United States' 16th president, Abraham Lincoln, was carved by artist Daniel Chester French in 1920 and has Lincoln's two major speeches (His "Second Inaugural Address" and his "Gettysburg Address") carved into the sides of the base. Not only is the site iconic in its own right, but it has been the location of several equally famous speeches throughout the history of America, including Dr. Martin Luther King Junior's "I Had A Dream" speech. Young learners on student tours cannot help but be inspired by such a revered site.
The Capitol Building - Officially named, "The United States Capitol", a visit to the Capitol Building is a must on any student tours of Washington D.C. The Capitol Building is the meeting place of the nation's legislature, which includes the Senate and the House of Representatives. In addition, the building, which was built between 1793 and 1800, also houses an important collection of American art, is a major tourist attraction, and also functions as a working office building.
The Washington Monument - Near the west end of the National Mall stands the large obelisk built to commemorate the first president of the United States - George Washington. Those on student tours to the National Mall will learn the monument is both the world's largest stone structure and its tallest obelisk, with a height reaching over 169 metres. Designed by Robert Mills, construction began in 1848 but was not completed until 1884. Students can make their way up the 152 metres to the observation level and see a vast panorama of the seat of America's government.
Robert Emdur works for Equity Student Travel, the UK's leading specialist in group travel for students in higher and further education. We organise student tours to destinations around the world covering a wide range of subjects, as well as conference & event-focused trips.
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