George Washington

Road , trail, and river meet near Fort Hunt Park along the George Washington Memorial Parkway. Few figures in United States history are more revered than George Washington- Revolutionary commanderin-chief, founding father, and first President. Henry Lee's 1799 eulogy to Washington still rings true: "First in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen." Two centuries later, Washington lives on through innumerable places of tribute. The sites in and around his namesake city can claim a special significance, though, for this is where he lived, worked, worshipped, and planned for the future of the nation. By the time he became President in 1789, George Washington owned some 8,000 acres along the Potomac River in Virginia, extending from south of Mount Vernon to several miles north of the estate. One of Washington's dreams for post-Revolutionary America was to turn the Potomac River into the commercial gateway to the west. He lobbied for construction of the Patowmack Canal to route boat traffic safely around the "great fal ls" of the Potomac, nearly 30 miles upriver from his home. Today, the George Washington Memorial Parkway includes remains of th is late 18th-century canal at Great Falls Park, as well as sections of Washington's tidal Potomac farmlands- Riverside Park, Fort Hunt Park, and Collingwood Picnic Area. Other members of Washington 's family held land that is now within the parkway. Abingdon, home of Washington's stepson John Parke Custis, is now the site of Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. A few miles northwest is Arlington House, which was the property of Even during Washington's lifetime, his home at Mount Vernon attracted sightseers, increasing in popularity with each generation. In 1932, the bicentennial of Washington's birth, the Mount Vernon Memorial Highway opened from Arlington Memorial Bridge to the estate. The 16mile road not only improved automobile access through Virginia, but ushered in a new era of road-building. Constructed by the Department of Agriculture's Bureau of Public Roads, it was proclaimed "America's Most Modern Motorway." While the highway was under construe- Mount Vernon Estate Washington 's step-grandson George Washington Parke Custis. Raised by the Washingtons, Custis left Mount Vernon in 1802 upon the death of his grandmother, Martha Custis Washington . That year, on the 1,100acre Arlington estate he inherited, Custis began construction of a Greek Revival man sion, completed in 1817. The home, which Custis filled with Washing on heirlooms. was later occupied by Cu s~ 1 s's da g er Mary and her husband Robe E. Lee un ii the outbreak of the Civil War in 1861. tion, Congress renamed it the George Washington Memorial Parkway and greatly expanded its authorized length and its mission. Under the Capper-Cramton Act of 1930, the federal government acquired land along the Potomac River from Great Falls, Virginia, to Mount Vernon to protect the shoreline and palisades, preserve historic features, and provide public recreation areas. In the 1950s and 1960s, the parkway was extended northward. Traversing more difficult terrain than the southern leg , this section displays the latest road engineering methods for its time-a wide, gently curving road with a grassy median, low stone guardrails, and soaring steel-and-concrete arched bridges. By 1970, 6.8 miles of the Maryland section was completed; that section was renamed in honor of Clara Barton in 1989. Today the George Washington Memorial Parkway is a 7,600-acre national park area protecting the landscape and native habitat of the Potomac shoreline. Within the park you can visit more than 25 sites associated with George Washington's life, and with the life of the nation he helped establish. Two more U.S. Presidents are honored at Lyndon Baines Johnson Memorial Grove and Theodore Roosevelt Island. Many other sites along the parkway recal l the nation 's past: Claude Moore Colonial Farm recreates 18th century tobacco farm life. Historic military sites in Virginia include Civil War-era Fort Marcy and Spanish-American War-era Fort Hunt. In Glen Echo, Maryland , is the home of American Red Cross founder Clara Barton, and the site of a 19th century Chautauqua Assembly, now Glen Echo Park. Turkey Run Park and Dyke Marsh Wi ldlife Preserve are natural habitats preserved within the boundaries of the parkway. Watch for signs of the seasons: dogwood, redbud , and daffodils in spring; the fiery hues of red maples, oaks, sumacs, and hickories in fall. You may also see wild turkeys, bald eagles, and hundreds of other migratory and residen birds. As you make your way along the park ay, observe he changing nature of the Potomac River from falls to tidewater. Above: At Great Falls the Potomac River drops 77 feet in about one mile. The Patowmack Cana! was bu1' n the late 18th cen- Dyke Marsh Wildlife Preserve This horse, restored to its original color sheen, is from e carousel's circular parade U. S. Marine Corps War Memorial (lwo Jima Memorial) The George Washington Memorial Parkway was designed to bring people closer to nature and history. With increasing suburban development, the parkway is now a major commuter route. The very qualities that set this roadway apart from others-a rolling, winding course bounded by stone walls, with eye-catching scenery and opportunities to spot wildlife-make it unsafe at high speeds. When driving, observe posted speed limits. Keep in mind that first and foremost, the parkway is a park! MARYLAND The parkway has two main sections: the 25-mile Virginia section runs from Mount Vernon northward along the Potomac River to 1-495. In Maryland, the Clara Barton Parkway follows the Potomac River for 7 miles from Chain Bridge in Washington, D.C., to north of 1-495. Along the way are many historic sites, memorials, and scenic and recreation areas, listed below north to south. Unless otherwise noted, entrances to these sites are directly from the parkway. Call 703-285-2598 for directions from Metro stations. What to See and Do A!ong th - P. • Great Falls Park, Virginia Overlooks have views of the most dramatic series of falls on the Potomac. Nearby are remains of the Patowmack Canal, promoted by George Washington and built 1786-1802. Visitor center, trails, picnic area, snack bar. Open 7 a.m. to dark daily except December 25. Entrance fee. Information: 703285-2965. From 1-495 take exit 13, Va. 193 (Georgetown Pike) west for 4.2 miles; right on Old Dominion Drive; follow signs to park entrance. • Clara Barton National Historic Site Built in 1897 for Clara Barton, this house served as a supply warehouse, as American Red Cross headquarters, and as Barton 's home until she died here in 1912. For hours of operation, call 301-492-6245. From Clara Barton Parkway take Cabin John exit; turn right on MacArthur Blvd. and follow signs to entrance. l(W°ay~·-;--• U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial/ Netherlands Carillon This statue depicting the i, o d ar II agraising on lwo Jima honors U.S. Marines since 1775. e 50-bell ca ·1lon was presented to the un· ed S a es in appreciation of support during he ar. Open 24 hours. From Key Bridge, t ake Fort Myer Dr.; continue on Meade St.; left on Marshall Dr. to park entrance on left. From Theodore Roosevelt Bridge, take U.S. 50 west to Fort Myer Dr., proceed as above. Metro stations: Arlington Cemetery or Rosslyn. • Arlington House, The Robert E. Lee Memorial From 1831 to 1861, Robert E. Lee and his wife Mary Custis Lee made the Arl ington estate their home. After Lee took command of Virginia's army, Arlington as occupied by Federal troops. Later, a eedman's village was established here, ong · h Ar• Glen Echo Park lington National Cemetery. Comple ed Established by the Chautauqua Assembly in in 1932 and visually linking he Lee and the 1890s, Glen Echo was an amusement Lincoln memorials, Arlirigton Memorial park from 1907 to 1968. Today it is a center Bridge symbolizes the reun ited nation after _ ____,,or:.Jbe_visual arui.p.edorming ads. Res.tore.d _ tbe Cjvj J War. Jo \Lirginia .tbe bridge leads 1921 Dentzel Carousel, picn ic area, classes, directly into the cemetery via Memorial weekend dances. Avenue, li ned with military mon uments in Information: 301-492-6282. See directions elud ing the Women In Military Service for for Clara Barton NHS above. America Memorial (WIMSA). Arlington House information: 703-557• Turkey Run Park 0613. Arlington National Cemetery inforThis quiet wooded area has views of the mation: 703-607-8052. WIMSA informariver's palisades and an access point for the tion: 1-800-222-2294. From parkway, exit Potomac Heritage National Scenic at Arlington National Cemetery; follow Trail, which follows the riverbank 8.5 miles signs to parking; walk or take shuttle from 1-495 to Theodore Roosevelt Island. bus. Metro station: Arlington Cemetery. Trails, picnic area. Closed at dark. • Lady Bird Johnson Park Columbia Island was renam ed in honor of • Claude Moore Colonial Farm the former First Lady and her campaign to Operated through a cooperative agreement beautify Washington, D.C. She chose the with the Friends of Claude Moore Colonial site of LBJ Memorial Grove herself; it Farm at Turkey Run, this is a working recrewas where the Johnsons often stopped to ation of a small 18th-century tobacco farm. admire the city when they drove up from Texas. Nearby is the Navy and Marine Picnic area (permits required). Entrance fee. Open 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Wed.-Sun., Memorial dedicated to Americans lost at April through mid-December. Information: sea. The area includes the Columbia Island 703-442-7557. From parkway, exit at Va. Marina and a snack bar. 123 south; right on Va. 193 (Georgetown Closed midnight to 6 a.m. Pike); right on Colonial Farm Rd., 0.6 miles to park entrance. • Gravelly Point/Roaches Run Waterfowl Sanctuary Gravelly Point has a boat ramp, playing •Fort Marcy These carefully preserved earthworks were fields, and views of Washington and air traffic at Ronald Reagan Washington part of the circular defense system around Washington, D.C., during the Civil War. National Airport. Across the parkway is Roaches Run, a popular birding area. South of Fort Marcy are two Scenic OverClosed 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. Gravelly Point looks with views of the Potomac palisades. entrance is from northbound parkway Closed at dark. Entrances are from only; southbound traffic, turn around at northbound parkway only. Southbound traffic: take Theodore Roosevelt Bridge Daingerfield Island. The Roaches Run to Constitution Ave., right on 23rd St., entrance is from southbound parkway cross Memorial Bridge; bear right to only; turn around at 1-395 south. return to parkway. • Daingerfield Island • Theodore Roosevelt Island Includes the Wash ington Sailing Marina, This island preserves 88 acres of swamp, playing field (permits requ ired), boat ramp, marshland, and forest as a memorial to the picnic area, snack bar, and restaurant. 26th U.S. President and conservation advoClosed midnight to 6 a.m. cate. A formal plaza has a statue of Roosevelt with his quotations carved in stone. • City of Alexandria Hiking, wildlife observation. Founded by Scottish merchants in 1749, Closed at dark. No bicycles. Entrance is Alexandria was considered by George from northbound parkway only: SouthWashington to be his home town. Visitor bound traffic: see directions for Fort center: 221 King St., 703-838-4200. Marcy above. Metro station: Rosslyn. Parkway becomes Washington Street within Alexandria city limits. / • Jones Point Lighthouse This is he southernmost point of the original 0-mile square District of Columbia. The 856 lighthouse (closed) was one of the coun ry s fi rst inland river ligh houses. From Washington St., turn east on South St.; left on S. Royal St. to entrance. ,/ / / / • Belle Haven Park/Dyke Marsh Wildlife Preserve Occupying the site of an early 18th-century tobacco warehouse, Belle Haven Park has trai ls, a picn ic area, and a marina. Dyke Marsh , swamp forest and cattail marsh , is nesting or feed ing area to more than 250 species of birds; look fo r osprey, herons, and red-winged blackbirds. South of Belle Haven is the Stone Bridge at Alexandria Avenue, an exampl e of those bu ilt in 193031 by the Bureau of Publ ic Roads. Closed at dark. • Collingwood Pi cnic Area This riverside picnic area sits on land that as once part of George ashing on's River Farm. Closed at dark. • Fort Hunt Park The fort dates from the Span ish-American War in the 1890s; it never saw action. Reactivated during World War II fo r military intel ligence operations, it now serves as a popular recreation area with facilities for group picnics (permits required). Closed at dark. Information: 703-285-1925. VIRGINIA ~ Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport • Riverside Park This recreation site has a picnic area, a fitness cou rse, fishing areas, and river views. Look for bald eagles. Closed at dark. c.:/ Q·/ ,... / ~v • Mount Vernon Trail This paved , multi-use trai l runs 18.5 miles from Mount Vernon to Key Bridge. Closed at dark. Bicyclists must observe 15 mph speed limit. No motorized vehicles. Parking for trail is available at most sites along the parkway. 1' I • Mount Vernon Estate and Gardens George Washington's home 1754-1799 is owned and operated by the Mount Vernon Lad ies' Association of the Union. The house, gardens, and demonstration farm are open daily. Entrance fee. Information: 703-780-2000 For your safety The parkway is narrow and winding. The speed li mit varies from 25 to 50 mph. Do not exceed posted speed limits. • Watch for deer, wild turkeys and other small animals, and pedestrians.• It is a federal offense to destroy or remove natural or cultural objects. • Firearms and metal detectors are prohibited. •A Maryland, Virginia, or District of Columbia fishing license is required. Administration The parkway is part of the National Park System, one of more than 370 parks that are examples of our nation's cultural and natural heritage. For more information, contact: Superintendent, George Washington Memorial Parkway, c/o Turkey Run Park, Mclean, VA 22101; 703-2852600; TIY 703-285-2620; Park Watch 703285-2020. In an emergency, cal l 911 or call the U.S. Park Police, 202 -619-7300. I I I Nor th I I (f) " I \ "m fl fl Telephone \ \ Belle Haven Park \ •.......- Belle Haven Marina I , Dyke Marsh +-+--,,,___ () Wildlife Preserve -::( ~ £ii) Food service m 0 0 Sailing SI Boat ramp fl Hiking o Picnic area lQ MARYLAND (i!j) Metro station Collingwood v.:..--- Picnic Area r---1 George Washington m L___J Memorial Parkway property ~ 0 e; Parkway overlook, ~ pullout, or parking lot I------I Mount Vernon Trail FORT WASHINGTON i::-::-::-=1 Potomac Heritage c..=..=..=..=J National Scenic Trail (no bicycles allowed) Mount Vernon ~' Estate and Gardens 0 0 4 Ki lometers 4 Miles "CiD PARK Riverside Park •mo /