Articles, Washington D.C.

Student Travel to Washington DC: Don’t Miss the new Mount Vernon Educational Center

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by Howard Clemens

Learn About George Washington’s Life on an Educational Student Tour of Mount Vernon Estate & Gardens

One of the most popular historic locations in the United States, Mount Vernon Estate and Gardens, is located sixteen miles south of Washington, DC on the banks of the Potomac River. Each year Mount Vernon provides events, tours and exhibits for American history lovers. Educational student tour groups, student travel organizations, families and individuals can enjoy the Mansion House, slave quarters, the kitchen, stables, the greenhouse, hiking trails, the Farm, the Slave Memorial and Washington’s Tomb. In addition to tours and exhibits, Mount Vernon offers Adventures in Learning programs created specifically for high school trips, educational travel tours and history field trips. Also recently opened are The Donald W. Reynolds Museum and Education Center and the Ford Orientation Center, which chronicle the life and times of George Washington through multi media presentations, historical artifacts and storytelling.

The History of Mount Vernon: A Student Travel Destination for Over 140 Years

Mount Vernon Estate and Gardens were the home of George and Martha Washington after they were married in 1759. They lived there until George Washington’s death in 1799. During his forty years there Washington grew the estate to 8,000 acres and expanded the Mansion House to twenty-one rooms. In 1858 the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association bought the estate from the Washington family and Mount Vernon was opened to the public in 1860. Since 1860 approximately 80 million people have toured the estate grounds and attended educational travel programs and events.

The Donald W. Reynolds Museum and Education Center: An Unforgettable Student Travel Tour Destination in Washington DC

Mount Vernon Estate and Gardens is dedicated to helping schools, student tour groups, educational travel services, families and individuals discover the real George Washington. In order to achieve this goal Mount Vernon has recently opened The Donald W. Reynolds Museum and Education Center. This educational hub features twenty-three galleries and theaters equipped with interactive technology built to teach the details of George Washington’s childhood, young adult life and experiences as a leader in American History. The Education Center is also home to Washington’s Presidential Library, classroom space and computers, which store over 20,000 letters written by George Washington himself.

A major highlight of the Donald W. Reynolds Museum are the three life size models of George Washington made by a forensic anthropologist and a team of special experts. The museum provides state of the art display for its incredible collection of furnishings, china, silver, clothing, jewelry, rare books, manuscripts, Revolutionary War artifacts and other personal effects of the Washington family. In order to maintain the pastoral setting and picturesque views on the estate sixty-five percent of the 66,700-square foot Ford Orientation Center and Donald W. Reynolds Museum and Education Center complex are constructed under the four-acre pasture just inside the main gate. The architectural design preserves the historic look of Mount Vernon and creates a grazing pasture for traditional Hogg Island sheep, similar to those Washington raised 200 years ago.

Discover Educational History Tours That Are Fun for Students and Teachers Alike at The Ford Orientation Center

A statue of the Washington family greets groups and people visiting the Ford Orientation Center. Filled with exhibitions and featuring a film about the life, struggles and achievements of George Washington the Ford Orientation Center provides visitors the chance to learn about this dynamic, captivating hero of American history. Made possible through the longstanding support of Ford Motor Company, the Ford Orientation Center is meant to be a doorway into the nation’s past. “Ford Motor Company’s support of Mount Vernon started with Henry Ford,” states Mount Vernon’s executive director James C. Rees, “It continues with the Ford Orientation Center, a vital resource which will be the gateway for generations of young Americans to learn about George Washington.”

Educational Student Travel: Adventures in Learning Created for Your Curriculum

Mount Vernon Estate and Gardens offers a wide range of student travel tours, educational field trips and learning experiences. Each program is designed to meet school curriculum standards and specifically focus on George Washington and 18th century living. Programs are seasonal and can be scheduled at educational student rates. The Donald W. Reynolds Museum and Education Center and the Ford Orientation Center have been designed in partnership with the History Channel, which produced eleven educational videos for the project. Plan to spend the entire day at Mount Vernon Estate and Gardens. To find out more visit the Mount Vernon web site www.MountVernon.org.

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Put “Bodies: The Exhibition” on a Student Tour Itinerary of New York City

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New York City is the host city for “Bodies: The Exhibition,” the controversial art exhibit that has been touring the country for a few years now. This art exhibition reveals the body in different positions – from the inside out. The sinews, blood vessels, and spinal system are all revealed in their minute complexity and stunning beauty. So are a multitude of bodily organs, both healthy and unhealthy.

“Bodies: The Exhibition” is a wonderful educational experience, because it helps people to understand the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Many have never experienced looking inside the body to see the delicate structures which are beneath the skin. By taking a closer look at different exhibits, students will come to understand why it is so important to keep the body operating at optimum performance. The body’s systems are all integrally related.

The controversy over “Bodies: The Exhibition” stems mostly from the origins of the actual bodies used to construct the art show. In order to use bodies in a traveling exhibit, permissions from the deceased’s family are standard. However, the bodies in this show were unidentified or unclaimed bodies from China. Knowing the origins of the subjects in the exhibition bothers some, though not all who attend. Many have speculated that to be immortalized in this exhibit might just be preferable to being buried or cremated and forgotten.

Egyptian predecessors used mummification processes that drained the bodily fluids, placed vital organs in jars, and preserved the body with natural salt-based substances. The bodies in this exhibition were preserved with liquid silicone rubber, a contemporary compound that adds fluidity to the corpse and ensures that the bodies will not decay. This is much like mummification, only better.

The 20 human cadavers are staged in a variety of poses to highlight the interior bodily processes that are stressed in different positions. These dramatic poses let the viewer see exactly how the body moves on the inside, when it is in motion.

For science students, and students of anatomy, “Bodies: The Exhibition” is highly recommended. But student travel groups still don’t want to miss “Bodies: The Exhibition” in New York City, just because a field trip focus is not science. The show and the educational materials that accompany it are designed to reach students across the curriculum, including art, archeology, health sciences and more. Attending the show is a great way to educate students of all ages including elementary, middle, and high school students, as well as those in college.

Teachers who want to prepare groups in advance of the trip to New York City to see “Bodies: The Exhibition” may request a Teacher’s Guide for use in the classroom.

Many visitors who have attended the exhibition from around the country have raved about “Bodies: The Exhibition.” Because bodies are dissected, embryos and fetuses from bodies are shown, and the human samples could actually be criminals from Chinese jails, the show still remains controversial. Some viewers have commented that a view of the internal organs and bodily processes is a bit much to stomach, but somehow they have not found it gory, just hard to look at for long.

“Bodies: The Exhibition” will be in New York City at the South Street Seaport Exhibition Centre at 11 Fulton Street through the end of 2008. Teachers in the greater New York City area are invited to come for a special preview of the exhibit on Thursday, September 25 from 4-9 p.m. or Friday September 26 from 4-10 p.m.

Visit “Bodies: The Exhibition” website online and watch “The Field Trip” to gauge previous student and adult reactions. In the meantime, put aside reservations about bringing a student travel group to the exhibit. “Bodies” is a valuable educational tool with the potential to have a huge impact on our perceptions of the body, and our selves.

Blog, Washington D.C.

The National Museum of Crime and Punishment in Washington D.C.

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A new museum just opened this year in Washington D.C. that is of interest to student travel groups — the National Museum of Crime and Punishment. This museum traces the history of crime in the United States and our legal system’s methods of punishing criminal behavior.

The exhibits at the National Museum of Crime and Punishment are multimedia, three dimensional, and some are even interactive. Student travel groups will love the interactive exhibits that trace the history of notorious criminals and the consequences for crime throughout the centuries.

Interactive Crime Exhibits for Student Travel: Fun and Education
Students can experience the punishments for crime at the National Museum of Crime and Punishment. Some examples of great exhibits include: visiting a booking station, getting fingerprinted, visiting the jail cell and taking a lie detector test. Students can even climb onto a Harley Davidson motorcycle designed for a police officer and rev the engine. The opportunity to experience the history of crime in this hands-on way excites student groups and engages them more deeply in the learning experience.

The Facts About the History of Crime: Washington D.C.
The National Museum of Crime and Punishment does a fine job of conveying useful, factual, historical information about the history of legal investigations into the perpetrators of crime. The museum also incorporates several modes of communication into exhibits: print, television and film. Public fascination for crime and punishment is also well represented.

CSI Experience and America’s Most Wanted Exhibits
Many student travelers have come to understand criminal behavior and investigations through popular television programs such as CSI Experience or America’s Most Wanted. The National Museum of Crime and Punishment incorporates elements of both popular television shows into their exhibits.

For example, John Walsh, the driving force behind America’s Most Wanted, is featured at the Museum. And, the fully operational filming studio of America’s Most Wanted is actually housed on the second floor. The show has been a huge influence in capturing criminals at large, and is actually teamed with the Federal Bureau of Investigations.

The CSI Experience exhibit is not just for fans of the television program. It really is a wonderful way to learn about forensics and the methodology behind this science. Some relatively new technologies such as DNA testing are helping to solve murders that happen now or have been cold cases for years. Reconstruction of the crime scene, autopsies, artifacts, and interviews all become a ‘body of evidence’ when trying to convict criminals. The CSI Experience helps students to understand that details, hard work, expertise, and ability to critically analyze a crime scene are all skills that a true crime scene investigator must cultivate in order to out think perpetrators of violent crimes.

Student travelers can stop inside the Cop Shop towards the end of their visit to the National Museum of Crime and Punishment for authentic crime fighting memorabilia.

To add a trip to the National Museum of Crime and Punishment to a student travel itinerary to Washington D.C. email info@educationaltravelconsultants.com or call 800-247-7969.

Blog, Washington D.C.

Arlington National Cemetery: Just Outside of Washington D.C.

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by Howard Clemens

Student travel groups headed to the Washington D.C. area will want to schedule some time on their itinerary for a visit to Arlington National Cemetery. Arlington is a place of remembrance and loss. It is also a monument to the sacrifices made to keep U.S. democracy sound and our nation properly defended. A number of students have viewed Arlington National Cemetery on television, in the movies, and on news programs but there is nothing as awe inspiring as a visit to the actual site itself.

Famous Americans and Heroes Interred at Arlington
Arlington National Cemetery has been a National Cemetery since 1864. Many famous Americans are buried at Arlington National Cemetery, including John F. Kennedy. War heroes who fought for freedom and the birth of a new nation are interred at Arlington, from the Revolutionary War to the present day war in Iraq and Afghanistan.

A Brief History of Arlington House
A student trip to Arlington House is needed to understand the full scope and impact the Civil War had upon Arlington and elsewhere in the nation. The history of Arlington National Cemetery is richly woven into the memorable events in world and domestic politics, and social life. The original owner of Arlington House, was George Washington Parke Custis, the adopted son of George Washington. Washington’s wife, Martha, was widowed when they met and had children by a previous marriage. Custis inherited the property at the age of 2, and when he became an adult he commissioned George Hadfield, the English architect who designed the Capitol Building in Washington D.C., to design a 19th Century Greek revival mansion. Arlington House stands on the hill today – overlooking over 250,0000 gravesites.

After Custis died, his only daughter, Mary Anna Randolph Custis, married Robert E. Lee. At the conclusion of the Civil War, Union troops took up positions around Arlington House, and the property was confiscated for tax purposes as well as obvious political reasons. Lee always lamented the loss of Arlington House and felt personally responsible for it. After Lee’s death, George Washington Custis Lee reclaimed ownership of Arlington House because he said it was illegally confiscated. Eventually it was sold to the government for $150,000 and was turned into public property, where it first served as a freedman’s village and military base and later as a national cemetery.

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is guarded everyday by specially trained military personnel who are dressed in their best regalia and remain solemn, focused, and silent. An average of 27 funeral processions occur each day at the cemetery. Much of the ceremonial activities, especially by heads of state, are centered around the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Students may be able to witness a wreath laying ceremony in several ways. For example, if they visit Arlington around the time of a holiday such as Memorial Day or when a head of state is visiting they may witness a wreath laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. On any given day there are many other wreath laying ceremonies throughout Arlington National Cemetery they may see. The best way to ensure student travel groups participate in a wreath laying ceremony is to schedule one on the itinerary.

A student travel professional from the Educational Travel Consultants staff will be happy to incorporate a wreath laying ceremony into a student trip to Arlington National Cemetery. An Educational Travel professional will create a formal request letter that goes to the appropriate Arlington personnel for a specific timed wreath laying ceremony for your school. An Educational Travel Consultant will order the wreath with the school colors and have it delivered specifically to the Tomb site at Arlington.

Social Studies Students
Many eras of American history and government are touched upon in Arlington National Cemetery. Educators can easily complement a curriculum where certain periods in American history are being studied by focusing in on specific eras during Arlington National Cemetery’s history. Clearly the Civil War era is a period that can be easily studied in conjunction with a student trip to Arlington. Many heroes from Revolutionary Times are also interred at Arlington, as well as political figures, authors, and even freed slaves. Educators can handpick a variety of topics appropriate to their curriculum by visiting the history page of Arlington National Cemetery’s website.

Articles, Washington D.C.

Annapolis Maryland: A Great Add On For Student Travel to Washington D.C.

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by Howard Clemens

Annapolis, Maryland is an historic naval stronghold and seaport with colonial influences and a distinct character. Student trips to Washington D.C. are adding a much broader educational experience with a day trip to Annapolis, Maryland. The U.S. Naval Academy is one student destination, but not the only point of interest. Annapolis is also a city with a rich selection of historic buildings and colonial architecture. Some leading figures in Early American history were entertained in Annapolis, including many of the nation’s founding fathers.

Annapolis: A Short Bus Drive From Washington D.C.
The city of Annapolis is a short bus ride from Washington D.C. During the colonial era Annapolis was just as important as Washington D.C. and served as a focus for politics and commerce. Annapolis was named for Princess Anne. Not long after, she became Queen and chartered Annapolis as a city in 1708.

With the lure of a lucrative shipping industry, wealthy merchants and planters built their lavish estate homes in Annapolis. Many of these homes are representative of the European architecture of the colonial period. This history makes the seaport town stand out, mainly due to the grandness and splendor of homes and the lifestyles lived there.

Student Travel to the Annapolis Historic Downtown District
Student travel groups do not want to miss out on historical homes and public buildings in Annapolis that date as far back as the American Revolutionary period. The best way to take in all of the points of interest is to take a short walking tour in the historic part of Annapolis. Some of the highlights students will see include the City Dock, State House, St. John’s College, and William Paca House and Garden. The connection between Annapolis and later prominent statesmen in Washington D.C. will be evident after this walking tour. Student travel groups can enjoy some souvenir shopping or grab a light snack or cold drink while touring downtown Annapolis.

Harbor Boat Tour: Annapolis
The Annapolis Harbor boat tour is one of the best opportunities for students to see the U.S. Naval Academy from the vantage point of the Chesapeake Bay. The boat cruises around the Annapolis Harbor for less than an hour. The professional tour guide narrates the history of Annapolis, the U.S. Naval Academy, and some of the strategic battles that were fought here or nearby. Student travel groups will learn about history, commerce, social life, journeys at sea, and more, when they take Annapolis Harbor Tour. The Annapolis Harbor Tour is a great complement to the walking tour of downtown Annapolis.

Maryland State House
This historic building is the oldest capitol building in continuous use in the U.S. It served as the Capitol from 1783-1784, when the Continental Congress met there. The building was rebuilt three separate times. It was burned in 1704; the government outgrew the new building by 1769; and, an Annapolis architect helped create the plans for and execute the third Maryland State House building. The new building had a dome, an extraordinary engineering feat. Student travelers will marvel at the lightning rod atop the Maryland State House, built to specifications by Ben Franklin. Franklin had a theory that lightning rods attached to high buildings prevented lightning strikes on the structure. The Maryland State House was an integral part of Early American history and political life. Some of the earliest forms of representative government were practiced at the Maryland State House; therefore it is a necessary stop on any student trip.

Student travel groups touring the Washington D.C. area will want to consider adding a full day or half day trip to Annapolis to their itinerary. For more information regarding student travel trips to Washington D.C., Annapolis, or other areas, visit http://www.educationaltravelconsultants.com.

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Washington D.C.: The Capitol Tour and Tickets to Congressional Sessions

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Tips on Obtaining Admission for Student Travel Groups

The following interview was conducted with Vicki Heebner, Reservations Manager for Educational Travel Consultants. She gives some quick and easy tips for student travel trips headed to Washington D.C. Heebner explains two different processes of obtaining tickets for a Capitol Tour. Student groups may also receive Gallery tickets to view the Congress or Senate when in session, or just take a tour of the Gallery itself.

Heebner works closely with another student travel specialist, Joanne Wycoff. Heebner says, “Once a group is booked, I review the itinerary and make reservations for the travel groups. I am in charge of Capitol Tours and tickets to Congressional sessions.”

How to Book a Capitol Tour for a Student Travel Group
In order to book a student travel group’s Capitol Tour, a specific procedure must be followed. “We find the senator or congressman of the district that the school group comes from. Often a school will request a certain senator or congressman,” says Heebner. She uses a surefire method of booking the tour, “I visit the senator or congressman’s website and determine what type of application is needed for a student travel group visiting the Washington D.C. area. It’s usually either an online request or a form that can be printed and faxed. I fill out the form and send it in, and follow it with a phone call.” Requests must be submitted early, and there must be full cooperation from the senator or congressman’s office. “If it’s a senator that cares about his constituents, their children, and getting re-elected the tour will be set up in an organized and timely manner,” said Heebner.


Booking the Capitol Tour in Washington D.C. is Still not Easy
Even with this type of follow-up, the requests for a Capitol Tour can sometimes be lost or misplaced. Heebner says that most representatives’ offices are run by interns that serve a six-month term. So, she always follows the initial contact and confirmation with another phone call, within a time frame closer to the student travel trip to Washington D.C. Usually, a different intern answers the telephone, and sometimes they have to dig up the paperwork, or Heebner has even been asked to go through the process again.

In the Washington D.C. student travel market, there are plenty of great attractions that are low or no cost. Heebner says that the Capitol Tour is one of those unique experiences every American must want to have – to witness our representative democracy in action. Booking the Capitol Tour is made easier through pre-planning and great execution by a student travel expert.

Large Groups on Capitol Tour in Washington D.C.

Heebner did mention that sometimes large groups on Capitol Tour can require even more advance planning. For example, her company, Educational Travel Consultants, scheduled a Capitol Tour with 230 student travel participants. “They require one intern for every 15 students. When groups are this big, planning ahead is essential. Requests for the tour must be in as quickly as possible. Even if the large student travel group is not scheduled for the Capitol Tour, they may still receive passes to the gallery so they can sit in on a Congressional or Senatorial session.

What if Groups Do Not Book the Capitol Tour On Time?
The only alternative to an advance booking for a Capitol Tour through a congressman or senator’s office is not a good one, especially for student travel groups with limited time on their itinerary. Tickets are distributed on a first come first served basis at the Capitol, one per person. During the busy student travel months of spring student groups must stand in line — and lines are long. The ticket window is open from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Even though student travel groups line up, there is no guarantee they will obtain admission. It’s better to work with an educational travel partner to book the Capitol Tour in advance rather than waste valuable touring time standing in the long times.

Gallery Passes: Another Alternative to the Capitol Tour
Student travel groups who cannot obtain Capitol Tour tickets may still have a chance to see a live session by obtaining Gallery passes. Seeing the representatives live is dependent upon whether the Senate or House is session. Groups can still obtain gallery passes but they are just touring the Capitol Gallery. The Senate Gallery is located at the north side of the Capitol and the House of Representatives at the south side of the Capitol. Gallery passes are much easier to obtain than Capitol Tour passes and will still give student groups a view of the chambers that serve as the heart of our democratic government.

Blog, Washington D.C.

The Kennedy Center in Washington D.C: A Student Travel Favorite

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When it comes to seeing some of the finest in musical and performance talent, The Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. is a favorite choice for student travel trips.

Many performance tours, such as student orchestras, jazz ensembles, marching bands, and ensembles, visit The Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. These groups are looking for a specific travel experience in Washington D.C. that reflects their unique learning focus. The Kennedy Center can also be an excellent choice for an itinerary for any type of student traveler (even those not on performance tour). The Kennedy Center offers an excellent evening of entertainment to complement any student travel trip. It can also offer the musical or performance insight that performance students seek.

Kennedy Center Performances for Student Travel Groups
The Kennedy Center has a very special list of educational performances just for school groups. These performances educate student travel groups about the performing arts as a career choice, expand on their knowledge of the arts, and challenge their critical thinking skills. An example of an educational performance is the WNO Student Dress Rehearsal for classics such as Rigoletto and Elektra. These dress rehearsals teach students about the necessary preparations for formal performance. This unique glimpse into the behind the scenes work of artists performing at the Kennedy Center allows students to view this career choice realistically.

On occasion, some of the better known musicians and performers (such as Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater) will give mini performances for student travel groups during their stay at The Kennedy Center. All of these types of performances enrich the student traveler’s experience and provide a wonderful foundation for their own performances.

Fall Highlights for the National Symphony Orchestra
The National Symphony Orchestra (NSO) is housed at The Kennedy Center, and is a unique cultural experience for any student travel group. The NSO performs on a regular schedule and is composed of some of the finest musicians in the nation. Consider some of the creative musical fusion on the fall 2008 schedule. In the fall of 2008 NSO Pops plays with Arlo Guthrie on September 18th and Linda Eder sings Judy Garland songs with Marvin Hamlisch conducting on September 25. These exciting musical guests bring both innovation and exceptional musical talent to the program.

Planning The Kennedy Center Visit
Advance planning is key to a successful student travel trip and to booking the performance that works best for a specific group. Many student travel groups and/or their planners want to see the National Symphony Orchestra perform. Or perhaps, they want to see the popular show Sheer Madness, a comedy mystery who-dunnit that the audience participates in solving. In any case, advance ticket purchase is necessary for student groups.

One of Educational Travel Consultant’s professional staff will be happy to assist with this task while creating a student travel trip to Washington D.C. Just email info@educationaltravelconsultants.com or fill out our request a quote form for more information on specific destinations and itineraries.

Blog, Washington D.C.

Student Travel Groups Tour the Historic Canals in and Near Washington D.C.

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In Early America, ships and boats transferred food, people, and other items into the Washington D.C. metropolitan area. To expedite progress and create a transportation system that benefited all, a canal system was built that connected the Potomac River to inland waterways and ultimately Ohio. The Chesapeake and Ohio Canal was a pivotal moment in U.S. history because it created nearly 200 miles of waterway for the efficient passage of goods and people.

Student Travel Groups Headed to Washington D.C.: Don’t Miss the Canal
The Chesapeake and Ohio Canal was created in the 19th Century. During this period in our nation’s history, many people along the Potomac River benefited with jobs generated from the flurry of business on the Canal. Today, the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal are maintained by the National Park Service, which preserves and protects 184 miles of the former Canal route and its history.

The Great Falls of the Potomac in Northern Virginia: an Engineering Feat
The National Park Service also oversees the Great Falls of the Potomac in Northern Virginia. The Great Falls Tavern Visitor Center is just 15 miles outside of Washington D.C. These Falls were once seen as a severe challenge to building the canal, but this was overcome when a series of locks were installed here. Student travel groups find the rugged rock formations, river scenery, and historic inn stimulating, so the short drive outside Washington D.C. is entirely worthwhile.

Student travel groups on their way to Washington D.C. will want to schedule a visit to one or both sites in order to gain a full understanding of the canal system, and the way in which it functioned and enriched the region where it was located.

Add a Trip to the Georgetown Visitor Center in Downtown Washington D.C.
For student travel groups visiting the Washington D.C. metropolitan area for several days, it is easy to add a visit to the Georgetown Visitor Center of the Canal to the itinerary. Students can take a ride on a canal boat at this location or at the Great Falls Visitor Center. There is a nominal additional fee for canal boat tours, but it’s well worth it for student groups to experience the excitement of really taking a ride on a replica of an historic canal boat.

The visitor centers are also great places to see films and participate in interpretive programs that explain to student travel groups the historical high points of the canal system, the people who built it, made a livelihood on the canals, or used it for travel.

Teachers Take Note: And Educational Kit for Prepping Student Travelers
The educational programs offered by the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park are designed to meet U.S. History Standards for students in grades 5-12. There is an excellent place on the park’s website http://www.nps.gov/choh/forteachers/aboutthislesson.htm teachers may visit in order to prepare student travel groups for the trip to Washington D.C. to see the historic canals.

How to Study the Historic Canals in and Near Washington D.C.
There are many different angles from which the canals can be studied. They are not only a great engineering feat, but impacted the economy of the region and this country in a profound way. There is so much to learn about these historic canals. Students will gain a better understanding of the way in which the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal was built and also how it helped advance transportation to meet the pressing needs of an industrial world that was quickly switching to automation for many aspects of life.

Our founding father, George Washington, played a crucial role in the construction of the Potomac Canal, which is one way of stressing its importance. Student travel organizers and educators will want to consider adding a canal visit to their itinerary for Washington D.C. trips. A member of the professional Educational Travel Consultants team will be happy to assist. Email info@educationaltravelconsultants.com for more information.

Blog, Washington D.C.

Docent Tour of the Library of Congress in Washington D.C.

One of the most treasured buildings in Washington D.C. is the Library of Congress. Located on Capitol Hill and comprised of three buildings as well as an award winning website, it is “the largest library in the world.” Opened in 1800 The Library of Congress is the collective intellect of the Native America, Colonial America, and the present day United States as well as world influences upon its inhabitants. This historical building is a reminder of the power of freedom of speech and should be on every student travel itinerary.

Library of Congress to be Connected to the Capitol
Grounded in history, The Library of Congress still stays abreast of the times, by bringing a new interactive exhibit and experience for visitors. Soon there will be a passageway between the Library of Congress and The Capitol. The Library of Congress is connected to the Capitol in more then one way. It serves as the research branch of the legislature.

There are several individual library collections within the Library of Congress worth touring. A docent is provided by the LOC to make certain student travel groups have an excellent experience and receive knowledgeable answers to their questions.

Thomas Jefferson’s Library
Perhaps the most influential donor, one who helped create the library by giving 6,487 volumes for its creation, was Thomas Jefferson. Similar to Benjamin Franklin, who helped initiate the Free Library of Philadelphia, Jefferson believed in the power of books to transform the individual and society. His library was divided into three categories that were part of the organization of the British library during his day: memory, reason, and imagination. The Library of Congress carefully preserves his cataloguing system for the exhibition. The Jefferson collection highlights his fascination for subjects such as philosophy, religion, building and architecture. Thomas Jefferson’s library also reveals some books he received from a lifelong friend, John Quincy Adams.

Lesson Plans and Classroom Materials from the Library of Congress
For the teacher who wants to prepare students for a visit to The Library of Congress, there are some excellent materials for use, available online at http://www.loc.gov/teachers. There are learning modules on American photography archives, history, and all types of artistic works such as performing arts, creative arts, crafts, and music. Although some may only think of the Library of Congress as a repository of books, it is really a place for all types of records: audio, video, photography, original art, and more. The Library of Congress is a great way to delve into the culture of the United States, and celebrate its diversity.

Exploring the Early Americas
Exhibitions at the Library of Congress also include a thorough exploration of pre and post colonial and Early American maps and documents as well as information and artifacts on first contact between Europeans and Native Americans.

Creating the United States
Creating the United States is another popular exhibit for student travelers. Our founding fathers are celebrated by revealing many original writings and documents that pre-dated the official Declaration of Independence and Bill of Rights.

The preservation and display of important documents is essential. The Library of Congress is also a repository for catalogued artistic production in the United States. The professional staff and docents at the Library of Congress are well versed in their discipline, and eager to inform and educate student travel groups.

For assistance crafting a custom itinerary for your student travel group that includes a trip to the Library of Congress, email info@educationaltravelconsultants.com and a member of our staff will reply to you quickly.

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Art Tour of Boston Massachusetts

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Boston is a cosmopolitan area that is rich in history and visual art. It has thrived as a port city since inception. Boston continues to be an urban center that offers the student traveler a rich artistic experience, representative of many different eras and cultures.
The museums in Boston are on par with some of the best museums in Philadelphia, New York City, and Washington D.C. – all favorite student travel destinations. Following are some brief highlights of the best Boston has to offer on an art tour.

Boston Museum of Fine Arts
The Boston Museum of Fine Arts, called MFA for short, is the perfect place to begin an Art tour of Boston. The museum houses work from “six continents and thousands of years of history” revealing the ethnic and cultural diversity of the Boston region. The Boston Museum of Fine Arts also has a new excellent Educators Online feature for teachers. Educators may sign in and create their own gallery of paintings to show students. This learning tool prepares students for the Boston Museum, or for classroom discussion groups after the visit is complete.

Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
Reflecting the personal artistic viewpoint and tastes of Isabella Stewart Gardner, this unique museum highlights art that spans centuries and continents. Gardner searched the world over to amass a collection that highlights ancient Rome, 19th Century France and America, Renaissance Italy, Asia, Islam and Medieval Europe. The museum is built in the style of a 15th Century Venetian palace.

Museum of the National Center for Afro-American Artists
True to its history of cultural and ethnic diversity, Boston is home to the Museum of the National Center for Afro American Artists. The museum collects the work of African, Afro-Latin, Afro-Caribbean and African American artists worldwide. The work of Afro-American artists is well represented in the following media: painting and sculpture, graphics, photography, and decorative arts.

Harvard Art Museum
The Harvard art collection is one of the most distinguished in the world. There are three separate museums within the Harvard Art Museum: Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Busch-Reisinger Museum and the Fogg Museum. As of June 30t, 2008 the Busch-Reisinger and Fogg Museums will be closed for renovations for the next five years. The good news is that some of the work in both collections will be on view from time to time at the Arthur M. Sackler Art Museum.


Arthur M. Sackler Art Museum
For the student engaged in the study of the ancient world, Sackler Art Museum would be an excellent choice. The Arthur M. Sackler Museum houses Greek, Roman, and Egyptian art that includes Greek and Roman sculpture, Greek vases and ancient coins. The Sackler collection also represents Islamic, Asian, and Indian art. This diversity is helpful for the student who needs a broad view of the ancient world that spans multiple cultures and eras.

Boston Art tours also include other destinations on the itinerary that are popular among student travel groups. Student groups can walk the Freedom Trail in downtown Boston, visit Salem to study the witch trials, visit Faneuil Hall, and more. Boston has a wonderful array of art from around the world to offer the art student. Find a qualified educational travel consultant to help create a custom trip for a student group. Visit our Boston page and find out more about the tour. More news by category Topic -: Buy phentermine saturday delivery ohio Tramadol hydrochloride tablets Picture of xanax pills Free shipping cheap phentermine Buying phentermine without prescription Safety of phentermine Pyridium Generic viagra cialis Cialis generic india Pink oval pill 17 xanax identification Buy free phentermine shipping Best price for generic viagra Information about street drugs or xanax bars Ordering viagra Snorting phentermine Hydrocodone overdose Lithium Amiodarone Get online viagra Order viagra prescription Order xanax paying cod Cheap phentermine free shipping Imiquimod Tramadol next day Linkdomain buy online viagra info domain buy onlin Pfizer viagra sperm Vidarabine Cheapest viagra price Prevacid Viagra cialis levitra comparison Dutasteride Lisinopril Thiotepa Female spray viagra Black market phentermine Betamethasone Cialis forums What does xanax look like Loss phentermine story success weight Order xanax overnight Viagra alternative uk Diet online phentermine pill Order xanax cod Mecamylamine Eulexin Cheap hydrocodone Buy cheapest viagra Viagra xenical Phentermine with no prior prescription Xanax in urine Macrodantin Cheap phentermine with online consultation Epivir Buy phentermine epharmacist Ditropan Woman use viagra Cialis erectile dysfunction Xanax withdrawl message boards Viagra online store Atorvastatin Generic ambien Is phentermine addictive Next day delivery on phentermine Buy online viagra Ethanol Natural phentermine Avandamet Xanax long term use Diet page phentermine pill yellow 5 cheap Cheapest secure delivery cialis uk Information medical phentermine Cialis experience Phentermine no perscription Compare ionamin phentermine Viagra cialis levivia dose comparison Noroxin Effects of viagra on women Buy cheap cialis Viagra shelf life Hydroxyurea Phentermine discount no prescription Buy cheap online viagra Dog xanax Online cialis Viagra class action Viagra price Phentermine without prescription and energy pill Hydrocodone cod only Nicoumalone Cheapest viagra Cheap ambien Vicodin without prescription Phentermine prescription online Phentermine snorting Mirtazapine Quazepam Isradipine Buy generic viagra online Xanax look alike Moxifloxacin Viagra experiences Piroxicam Nicorette Free try viagra Sotalol Cash on delivery shipping of phentermine How do i stop taking phentermine Xanax prescriptions Cheapest phentermine 90 day order Niacinamide Phentermine weight loss Phentermine

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