History & Heritage

The country’s history starts with our own history and heritage.

Visiting the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial in Washington, DC

What is the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial and where is it? The Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial is situated on a four-acre site along the National Mall's Tidal Basin, adjacent to the Franklin D. Roosevelt Memoria l and shares a direct line of sight between the Lincoln and Jefferson memorials...

Free Things to Do: History & Heritage in Washington, DC

Washington, DC is full of free things to do, and many involve American history, heritage and culture. Below, you will find numerous free museums and attractions, including the city’s iconic monuments and memorials on the National Mall. After exploring these landmarks, there’s no doubt you will have...

Where to Celebrate the Life of Harriet Tubman in Washington, DC

Not far from Washington, DC, along the Eastern Shore of Maryland, you can follow the trail that Harriet Tubman blazed helping slaves escape to freedom on the Harriet Tubman Byway . The courageous Tubman spent years making secret trips to Maryland along the Underground Railroad and her legacy is...

20+ Cool Museums in Washington, DC That Aren’t On the National Mall

Washington, DC is known for being home to world-class museums . In addition to the fabulous slate of free museums along the National Mall , the District is home to a vast collection of high quality museums to investigate everything from crime and news to art, history and more.

Visiting the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial in Washington, DC

A visit to the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial is to be transported to a trying time in American history, an era rife with economic depression and international conflict. The memorial, which honors the 32nd president of the United States, is composed of four “outdoor rooms” which represent each...

Visiting the Smithsonian National Postal Museum in Washington, DC

Since its opening in 1993 in the historic City Post Office Building, the Smithsonian National Postal Museum has served to honor and celebrate America’s proud postal history. Located next to Union Station in DC’s NoMa neighborhood , the museum houses a vast collection of stamps, historic artifacts...

The History of Washington, DC

Founded on July 16, 1790, Washington, DC is unique among American cities because it was established by the Constitution of the United States to serve as the nation’s capital. You can read the actual line at the National Archives. From its beginning, it has been embroiled in political maneuvering,...

Visiting the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC

Experiencing the Lincoln Memorial The grand Lincoln Memorial towers over the Reflecting Pool, anchoring the western end of the National Mall . The best way to approach the memorial is from the east, by the Washington Monument and the National World War II Memorial . This will put you at the edge of...

10 Historic Hotels in Washington, DC

Washington, DC is a dream vacation for a history buff. So much of the country’s (and the world’s) past is housed within DC’s museums , and its monuments and memorials represent important historical figures and occurrences. Supplement your educational experience by staying at a notable DC hotel that...

Visiting the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, DC

Where and what is the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History? The Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) is located at 14th Street and Constitution Avenue NW on the National Mall . The four-level museum opened on Sept. 24, 2016, becoming the...