With the Inauguration this past week, I thought it would be fun to focus a Saturday Snapshot on past presidents, using photos from my trip to Washington D.C. I didn’t get pictures of any living presidents, but there were lots of good statues!
The Lincoln Memorial was the one I most wanted to see, maybe because it shows up the most often in books and movies–and I have this thing about visiting places I’ve read about. It’s a beautiful monument and, as the inscription says, it feels very much like a temple, despite its essentially secular nature.
Jefferson is another one with a temple, that beautiful round marble space, and with such a hushed, reverent…well, temple feel. I’ve been meaning to read a biography of Jefferson ever since I visited…eventually I’ll get on that.
There’s an outdoor monument for Roosevelt. I love that he’s shone with his “little dog, Fala.” Thanks to YouTube, you can see a wonderfully funny speech Roosevelt gave about Fala.
And speaking of funny, I am probably far too amused by this Roman-style, shirtless George Washington in the Smithsonian. I just have this general impression that in life, no one saw Washington shirtless, except for Martha–maybe! 
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Me upon seeing that last one: is that… Geroge Washington… shirtless? Oh my gosh it is. Oh dear.
Great idea for a post. I’ve been to the Lincoln Memorial- even as a non-American it was a great place to visit.
We saw a preview of the movie Lincoln yesterday – it was wonderful. No wonder you have such a magnificent memorial for the man.
I had similar thoughts when I saw that statue of Washington last year.
It doesn’t seem like the stately dignified old man in the portraits.
Great trip, I missed George shirtless too.
Perhaps I’ll have to look into Canadian humour for another week, what do you think? Thanks for sharing your pics and the humorous video. I liked that Fala resented the tax.
That was a funny clip about Fala! And his deadpan delivery was just great!
Yes, I agree, and he does not step on people’s laughter, which is also good.
I have never seen George Washington quite like that. A bit undignified for him, but very funny.
The first ones are very impressive – not sure about that statue of George Washington though! My Snapshot is at http://goo.gl/GVIbC
Nice sequence of shots♫ Statues make great subjects, they rarely move♫♪
Washington gets ripped? I think that’s my favorite. I also followed your link and watched Roosevelt’s speech about Fala. Fun to see his teasing humorous side. And how beloved he was. Thanks so much for a great post.
Washington looked pretty ripped, too! Wow. He’d be handsome if it weren’t for that wig lol.
I have always wanted to see the Lincoln one. My favorite of the presidents.
I have almost the exact same photo of the Lincoln Memorial shot … probably like so many other visitors, huh? The Jefferson Memorial is one of my fave spots in DC … I love the view back toward the Mall and the city … so removed and tranquil. Poor George … may have been an honor to be portrayed as a Roman statesman, but I’m sure his dignity would have been ruffled a bit …
Great photos! The statue of Washington is pretty funny, though I’m sure back in the day it was meant as a tribute. I highly doubt he posed for it. 😉