Photo by Him Havard on Flickr
I know how we treasure our outdoor space on Capitol Hill, and I always smile when I see people in bikinis in Lincoln Park. There’s something about all that white skin, the pooches parading and the sugar magnolia blooms that say, “Yay! Spring!”
One gem of the Hill is Congressional Cemetery and it’s about as beautiful this time of year as any park in the city. They’ve seized spring by the horns and are hosting a number of diverse and lively activities (how could I resist?) over the next month…and you don’t have don black or grab tissue for any of them.
First up is a set of two three tours on this Saturday. The guides will prep you for April 15th, the sesquicentennial of the Lincoln assassination and you’ll learn about the players in this tragedy who are interred at on the grounds. These tours will be offered at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., and a special general Civil War tour will be offered at 1 p.m.
Plan a visit for Saturday, April 18th at 11 a.m. and you’ll get to see Revolutionary War Living History Day. Watch reenactors from the College Company of William and Mary and learn about the musket through firing demonstrations, see medical and surgery displays, and listen to a concert featuring the music of the time as performed by the Monumental City Ancient Fife and Drum Corps. There will special tours of Revolutionary War graves.
My favorite event is a bit farther off, so luckily you have time to put May 2nd on your calendar. The Day of the Dog, hosted by the Cemetery’s Canine Corp, features a 5K race, local pet vendors, a raffle, adoptions from local rescue groups, and games and demonstrations for dogs and their owners. And craft beers from local brewing companies!
Consider signing up for the HCC’s newsletter on the Cemetery’s website. You’ll likely be surprised what arrives in your inbox. In May you’ll also find Outdoor Yoga “Mortis”, “Cinematery” Outdoor Movie Night and a Tales from the Crypt lecture.