Page 116 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Washington, DC

114  W ASHINGT ON , DC AREA B Y AREA

is open to the public. In the
center of the Square is a huge
statue of President Andrew
Jackson (1767–1845) seated on
a horse. Cast in bronze by Clark
Mills, it was the first equestrian
statue of its size to be built in
the US and was dedicated
in 1853.
At each of the square’s four
corners stand statues of men
who took part in America’s
struggle for liberty. The south-
east corner has the bronze
figure of French compatriot
Lafayette. In the southwest
corner is a statue of another
The colonnaded portico of the Neo-Classical Treasury Building Frenchman, Jean-Baptiste
Donatien de Vimeur, Comte de
2 Treasury 3 Lafayette Square Rochambeau (1725–1807). This
was a gift from France to the
Building Map 2 F3 & 3 B3. q Farragut West, American people and accepted
15th St & Pennsylvania Ave, NW. McPherson Square. ∑ nps.gov by Theodore Roose velt in 1902.
Map 3 B3. Tel (202) 622-2000. q A statue of Polish general,
McPherson Square. 8 Tours for US Set behind the White House is Thaddeus Kosciuszko (1746–
citizens only, by appointment through Lafayette Square, named after 1817), who fought with the
congressman. 7 ∑ treasury.gov the Marquis de Lafayette (1757– American colonists in the
1834), a hero of the American Revolutionary War, stands in
The site of this massive, four- Revolutionary War (see p20). the northeast corner. Baron von
story Greek Revival building, Due to its proximity to the Steuben (1730–94), a German
home to the Department of White House, this public officer and George Washington’s
the Treasury, was chosen park is often the scene of aide at the Battle of Valley Forge,
by President Andrew peaceful demonstrations. is honored at the northwest end.
Jackson. The grand, It is home to 19th-
sandstone-and-granite century former mansions 4 Hay-Adams Hotel
edifice was designed by and the historic church
architect Robert Mills, of St. John’s (the “Church 1 Lafayette Square, NW. Map 2 F3
who also designed of the Presidents”), built & 3 B2. Tel (202) 638-6600. q
the Washington in 1816 by Benjamin Farragut North, Farragut West.
Monument (see p80). Liberty Bell beside Latrobe, who ∑ hayadams.com
A statue of Alexander the Treasury designed Decatur
Hamilton, the first House, 748 Jackson Situated close to the White
Secretary of the Treasury, stands Place, which was home to House, the historic Hay-Adams
in front of the southern entrance famous figures such as Henry Hotel is an Italian Renaissance
to the building. Clay and Martin Van Buren, and landmark in Washington. Its
The official guided tour, plush interior is adorned
shows visitors the restored with beautiful European
historic rooms, inclu ding and Oriental antiques.
the 1864 burglar-proof vault, It was originally two
the Andrew Johnson suite adjacent houses, built by
(Johnson’s temporary office Henry Hobson Richardson
after the assassination of in 1885 for statesman and
President Lincoln in 1865), author John Hay and diplomat
and the marble Cash Room. and historian Henry Adams.
Between 1863 and 1880, A popular hotel since its
US currency was printed in conversion in 1927 by
the basement, and during the developer Harry Wardman,
Civil War it was used as storage the exclusive Hay-Adams
space for food and arms. Today, remains one of Washington’s
the building is home to the top establishments (see
Department of the Treasury, p179), well situated for all
which manages the govern- the major sights. Afternoon
ment’s finances and protects Federal-style 19th-century houses overlooking tea and drinks are available
US financial systems. tranquil Lafayette Square in the Lafayette Restaurant.

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Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Catalogue template “UK” LAYER
(Source v2)
Date 14th November 2012
Size 125mm x 217mm