Page 215 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - USA

W ASHINGT ON , DC  213

s Watergate
Complex

Map B3. Virginia Ave between Rock
Creek Pkwy & New Hampshire Ave,
NW. q Foggy Bottom-GWU. 7
Located next to the Kennedy
Center on the banks of the
Potomac, the four rounded
buildings that make up the
Watergate Complex were com-
pleted in 1971 and designed
to contain apartments, offices, The picturesque Old Stone House in Georgetown, built in 1765
and shops (today there are no
longer any shops). The wealthy port. Today one of fell out of use with the arrival of
Watergate soon became one Washington, DC’s most the railroad in the 19th century.
of Washington’s most desirable attractive neighborhoods, It is now a protected national
addresses. In 1972, however, Georgetown is lined with park, offering many recreational
the complex found itself at the elegant townhouses, many of facilities. Park rangers in period
center of inter national news. them converted into upscale costume guide tours of the
Burglars, linked to President bars, restaurants, and boutiques. canal in mule-drawn barges,
Nixon, broke into the offices of The two main business streets and boating is also popular,
the Democratic Party head- of the area are Wisconsin especially between George-
quarters in the complex to bug Avenue and M Street. On the town and Violette’s Lock – the
the telephones there, sparking latter is the historic Old Stone first 22 miles (35 km) of the canal.
off a major political scandal. House (built in 1765), which The towpath along the canal is
Investigations by Washington Post may be the only building in ideal for walks and bike rides.
reporters Bob Woodward and Washington that predates the A major center of activity in
Carl Bernstein uncovered the American Revolution. N Street, this district is Georgetown
extent of the president’s involve- lined with historic buildings, University, founded in 1789.
ment through incriminating tapes has an array of 18th-century Among the historic buildings
and proven bribery. This led to Federal-style mansions, as well on its campus is the Gothic-
an impeachment hearing, but as some fine Victorian inspired Healy Building, topped
before Mr. Nixon could be townhouses. The 1794 Thomas by a fanciful spiral.
impeached, he resigned. Vice- Beall House (number 3017), Sprawling over 22 acres (9 ha)
President Gerald Ford succeeded is where Jackie Kennedy lived of land in Georgetown is the
him. The complex is undergoing for a year after JFK’s death. historic Dumbarton Oaks
renovation work. More Federal houses can be estate. Its superbly landscaped
seen lining the banks of the gardens surround a grand
Chesapeake and Ohio Canal, Federal-style brick mansion,
d Georgetown which was built in 1828 and which houses a priceless art
runs for 184 miles (296 km) from collection assembled by
Map A3. Old Stone House: 3051 M St, Georgetown to Cumberland, pharmaceutical heirs Robert
NW. Tel (202) 426-6851. Open noon–
5pm Wed–Sun. @ 30, 32, 34, 36, 38. Maryland. The canal, with its and Mildred Bliss.
7 ∑ nps.gov/olst George town ingenious transportation system The historic Dumbarton
University: 37th & O Sts, NW. Tel (202) of locks, aqueducts, and tunnels, Oaks Conference, attended by
687-0100. Open varies. 8 call 687- President Franklin Roosevelt
3600 for details. 7 ∑ georgetown. and British Prime Minister
edu Dumbar ton Oaks: 1703 32nd St, Winston Churchill, was held in
NW. Tel (202) 339-6401. Open 2–5pm the music room of this house
Tue–Sun. Closed Federal hols, Dec 24. in 1944, laying the groundwork
& 8 7 house only. ∑ doaks.org for the establishment of the
United Nations.
Georgetown developed well The Blisses donated the house
before Washington, DC. Native to Harvard University, and it
Americans had a settlement now houses a library, research
here, and by the mid-18th institution, and museum, the
century Georgetown had a highlight of which is its superb
substantial population of collection of Byzantine art. A
immigrants from Scotland. new wing of the house, designed
With the construction of by Philip Johnson, houses pre-
Washington Harbor and the Columbian masks, gold jewelry
Chesapeake and Ohio Canal in The PNC Bank, on Wisconsin Avenue from Central America, frescoes,
1828, it soon grew into a in Georgetown and Aztec carvings.

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