Washington D.C. Virtual Tour
7th/8th Grade
St. Paul Lutheran School
Virtual Tour
This packet belongs to __________________________________
Instructions: Each student should collect at least one free piece of information from
each site we visit (this will not be available at some sites). This will be used for a class
project when we return from the trip. You will be required to turn in your own collection
of material. The information collection and this packet will be due to class on Tuesday,
June 7th.
About this packet: Review the information for each site prior to our visit. Pay close
attention to exhibits, tour guides and other surroundings. Following our visits answer
and “Q & A” (Question & Answer) items or complete all puzzles about those sites.
Note: Not all sites will have questions or puzzles to follow. Answer all items
thoughtfully.
Day 1- Departure and Gettysburg
Below, you are provided with information about today’s stops. Our major attraction for the day will be the
“hallowed grounds” of the Battle of Gettysburg. Please read Lincoln’s speech in preparation.
Site and Visitors Center at the Battle of Gettysburg
**Student presentation by Grant Riley
Gettysburg Address, November 19, 1863 by President Abraham LincolnOne of President Lincoln’s most famous speeches is the Gettysburg Address. He delivered it on
November 19, 1863, at the dedication of the Soldiers’ National Cemetery in Gettysburg,
Pennsylvania. In three days of fighting in 1863, approximately 53,000 Americans were killed,
wounded, captured, or missing. In his 2-½ minute address, Lincoln clearly explained why the fighting of a
civil war was necessary. You will find this address in the Lincoln Memorial’s south chamber.
Directions: Read the Gettysburg Address below and fill in the missing words using the word bank below.
Gettysburg Address Word Bank
We
all
war
nation
struggled
honored freedom
brave
living
nobly equal
battle
liberty
unfinished fathers
lives
world
four people devotion
__________________ score and seven years ago our _________________________ brought
forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in ____________________, and dedicated to the
proposition that _____________ men are created __________________. Now we are engaged in a
great civil ____________, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can
long endure. ________________ are met on a great ______________field of that war. We have come to
dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their
___________________ that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do
this. But in a larger sense, we cannot dedicate – we cannot consecrate – we cannot hallow – this ground.
The ______________ man, living and dead, who _________________ here, have consecrated it, far
above our power to add or detract. The ___________________ will little note, nor long remember what
we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the ________________________,
rather, to be
dedicated here to the __________________ work which they fought here have thus far
so _________________ advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great
task remaining before us – that from these ______________ dead we take increased
devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of _________________ that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain – that this
________________________, under God, shall have a new birth of
________________________ - and government of the ______________________ by the people, for the
people, shall not perish from this earth. Source: Gettysburg National Military Park- https://www.nps.gov/gett/index.htm
Gettysburg Address Vocabulary
Score: Twenty years
Proposition: something offered for consideration or acceptance; a request
Endure: to remain firm under suffering
Consecrate: dedicated to a sacred purpose
Hallow: to make holy; to respect greatly
In vain: without success or result
Perish: cease to exist
Gettysburg Q & A
Directions: Using our trip to Gettysburg and other resources available, provide your best
answer to the questions or items below.
1. Why did Robert E. Lee invade the north?
2. Why did General Heth want to enter Gettysburg?
3. What was the main reason why the Federals (Union Army) lost control of Gettysburg on July
1st, 1863?
4. Why was Little Round Top a crucial position in the Union line?
5. Why is the Battle of Gettysburg considered the High Water Mark of the Confederacy?
Name That Gettysburg Site:
While touring the BATTLEFIELD locate and identify the following: (write the answer next to the
photo)
1. This marks the site where a Union General was killed during the fighting on July 1, 1863.
_________________________________________
2. This ran west from Gettysburg and cut through Seminary and McPherson's Ridges, and
proved to be both a helpful and hazardous obstacle for both sides.
__________________________________
3.This monument was the first of the Confederate State monuments at Gettysburg. It was
dedicated on June 8, 1917 and unveiled by Miss Virginia Carter, a niece of Robert E Lee.
__________________________________
4.The equestrian statue is southwest of Gettysburg along West Confederate Avenue located in
Pitzer's Woods. ________________________________
5. Dedicated in 1893, this is the largest regimental monument on the Gettysburg battlefield.
__________________________________
6. These giant, tumbled boulders below Little Round Top were known before the battle. But their
reputation continued, as Robertson's and Benning's Confederate Brigades battled Union 3rd
and 5th Corps forces on the second day of the battle.
__________________________________
7. It is appropriate that the largest monument on the field is to the state who provided the Union
with most troops, the army's commander, and the battlefield itself.
__________________________________
8. The focal point of Pickett's Charge on the last day of the Battle of Gettysburg. It is located
inside The Angle, an area within a stone fence that zigzags south, then west, then south again
near the trees. _______________________________
9. This monument to a Union Major General is south of Gettysburg on Cemetery Ridge.
_______________________________
10. This farmhouse sits on Taneytown Road, at the intersection with Hunt Avenue. It would be
chosen as headquarters for the Army of the Potomac.
_____________________________________
Day 2- Museums and Memorials
Arlington National CemeteryTips for Visiting the Cemetery & What to See
Visitors of all ages pay appropriate respect for the deceased:
Arlington National Cemetery is a beautiful place to walk and spend time outdoors. However, it is not a
great place for seven-year-old boys to run, climb and yell. If you are taking the family, which you should,
make sure you review in advance that there will be sections of the cemetery where they will need to keep
completely silent and show respect for the dead. Bottled water is the only thing allowed in the cemetery
so eat before you come. Make sure all devices are turned off and put away. It is best to keep silent and
simply observe and ponder the experience.
What to See at Arlington National Cemetery
Begin your tour at the Visitor’s Center, where you can pick up maps and buy tickets for the tour bus if you
want to. There are also kiosks to help you locate a specific gravesite if you have one you would like to
visit.
Kennedy Graves
Visit the gravesides of John F. Kennedy, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Robert F. Kennedy, and Edward
Kennedy. An eternal flame marks John F. Kennedy’s gravesite and is the most-visited section of
Arlington National Cemetery. Picture- An eternal flame marks John F. Kennedy’s grave.
Tomb of the Unknowns (Changing of the Guard)
The Tomb of the Unknowns marks the burial place of an unidentified World War I soldier. It is a vivid
reminder of the service rendered by those “known but to God.” The Tomb of the Unknowns is guarded 24
hours a day, every day, by Tomb Guard sentinels.
The Changing of the Guard ceremony happens every 30 minutes between April 1-September 30. The
other six months it happens every hour on the hour. The guard changes every hour on the hour all night.
The ceremony takes only a few minutes and is definitely worth waiting for. Picture- Visitors Standing in respect at
the Changing of the Guard
Arlington National Cemetery Q & A
What did you see and feel at Arlington Cemetery?
Describe the wreath laying ceremony at Arlington.
Tidal Basin Memorials
The Tidal Basin is a partially man-made reservoir between the Potomac River and the Washington
Channel in Washington, D.C. It is part of West Potomac Park and is a focal point of the National Cherry
Blossom Festival held each spring. The Jefferson Memorial, the Martin Luther King, Jr. National
Memorial, the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial, and the George Mason Memorial are situated
adjacent to the Tidal Basin. The basin covers an area of about 107 acres and is 10 feet deep.
Source- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tidal_Basin
The Jefferson Memorial- **Student Presentation by Jenna McNulty
The neoclassical Memorial building on the Tidal Basin off the Washington Channel of the Potomac River
was designed by the architect John Russell Pope and built by the Philadelphia contractor John McShain.
Construction of the building began in 1939 and was completed in 1943. The bronze statue of Jefferson
was added in 1947. Source- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jefferson_Memorial
The Martin Luther King Memorial- **Student Presentation by Daniel Dobbins
Covering four acres and including a granite statue of King by sculptor Lei Yixin, the memorial opened to
the public on August 22, 2011, after more than two decades of planning, fundraising and construction. [4]
HYPERLINK "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Luther_King,_Jr._Memorial#cite_note-Cooper1-5"[5] A ceremony dedicating the Memorial
was scheduled for Sunday, August 28, 2011, the 48th anniversary of the "I Have a Dream" speech that
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.delivered from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in 1963[6] but was postponed
until October 16 (the 16th anniversary of the 1995 Million Man March on the National Mall) due to
Hurricane Irene.
Source- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Luther_King,_Jr._Memorial
The Franklin Delanor Roosevelt Memorial- **Student Presentation by Gabriella Russell
The FDR Memorial is a presidential memorial in Washington D.C. dedicated to the memory of U.S.
President Franklin Delano Roosevelt and to the era he represents. For the memorial's designer,
landscape architect Lawrence Halprin, the memorial site represents the capstone of a distinguished
career, partly because the landscape architect had fond memories of Roosevelt, and partly because of
the sheer difficulty of the task. Source- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Franklin_Delano_Roosevelt_Memorial
Tidal Basin Memorials Q & A
What was your favorite memorial at Tidal Basin and why?
“I pledge you, I pledge myself, to a New Deal for the American People.”
What is the New Deal that Roosevelt was describing?
Which war took place during Roosevelt’s presidency?
Can you unscramble two documents Jefferson authored?
NOITDECARLA FO PENCEINDEEND & VINIARGI SUTTEAT RFO REUSLIGIO FMREDOE
______________________________ & _________________________________________
American History Museum- **Student Presentations by Sean Durkin (The Tucker Car), Riley Ball
(Toys of Childhood), Molly Ball (American Stories)
The National Museum of American History collects and preserves more than 3 million artifacts—all true
national treasures. We take care of everything from the original Star-Spangled Banner and Abraham
Lincoln’s top hat to Dizzy Gillespie’s angled trumpet and Dorothy’s ruby slippers from The Wizard of Oz.
Our collections form a fascinating mosaic of American life and comprise the greatest single collection of
American history. Source- http://americanhistory.si.edu/museum/mission-history
American History Museum Q & A
Describe your favorite historical setting exhibited in this museum.
National Holocaust Museum- **Student Presentations by Kayla Brink (Victim: Emma Arnold),
Megan Stirpe (Victim: Abraham Lement), Hailey Verstreate (Victim: Lisl Winternitz), Ella Bode
(Victim: Dorotka Goldstein)
The National Holocaust Centre and Museum promotes an understanding of the roots of discrimination and
prejudice, and the development of ethical values, leading to a greater understanding within society. The Centre uses
the history of genocide as a model of how society can break down, and emphasises how current and future
generations must carefully examine and learn from these tragedies. The Centre promotes respect for human rights,
equal opportunities and good citizenship, which has greater resonance than ever in our culturally diverse society.
The National Holocaust Centre provides a range of facilities for people of all backgrounds to explore the history and
implications of the Holocaust.
Source- https://www.nationalholocaustcentre.net/what-we-do
National Holocaust Museum Q & A
What image was most memorable from your visit to the Holocaust Museum?
How can you show love to others who are different or believe differently than you, rather than
hate?
Natural History Museum- (Note: It is likely we will not end up actually visiting this museum so that
we may spend more time at the Holocaust Museum.)
The National Museum of Natural History (NMNH) is part of the Smithsonian Institution, the
world’s preeminent museum and research complex. The Museum is dedicated to inspiring
curiosity, discovery, and learning about the natural world through its unparalleled research,
collections, exhibitions, and education outreach programs. Opened in 1910, the greendomed museum on the National Mall was among the first Smithsonian building constructed
exclusively to house the national collections and research facilities.
Lincoln Memorial
Abraham Lincoln was assassinated just after the end of the Civil War on April 14, 1865. By March of
1867, Congress incorporated the Lincoln Monument Association to build a memorial to the slain 16th
President. Learn about the main features of the Lincoln Memorial, including the Lincoln statue, murals,
and inscriptions. Discover how and why it was constructed, the landscape and views that surround it, and
the monumental efforts taken over the years to preserve and maintain this iconic site.
Source- https://www.nps.gov/linc/learn/historyculture/index.htm
Vietnam Memorial
The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall provides one of the National Mall’s most powerful scenes. In truth,
the “wall” is actually made up of two identical walls that each stretch 246 feet and 9 inches, containing
more than 58,000 names. The names are listed in chronological order based on the date of casualty, and
within each day, names are shown in alphabetical order.
Perhaps the Memorial Wall’s most defining characteristic is a visitor’s ability to see his or her reflection at
the same time as the engraved names, connecting the past and the present like few other monuments
can. If you wish to spot the name of a relative or friend while there, search the Vietnam Veterans
Memorial Fund’s Virtual Wall before you embark or find the on-site list.
Source- https://washington.org/DC-guide-to/vietnam-veterans-memorial
Vietnam War Memorial Q & A
What are some of the things people have left at the Wall?
Why do you think people leave things at the wall?
Korean War Memorial
The Korean War Veterans Memorial is located near the Lincoln Memorial on the National Mall in
Washington, DC. It was dedicated on July 27, 1995. The memorial commemorates the sacrifices of the
5.8 million Americans who served in the U.S. armed services during the three-year period of the Korean
War. The war was one of the most hard fought in our history. During its relatively short duration from June
25, 1950 to July 27, 1953, 36,574 Americans died in hostile actions in the Korean War theater. Of these,
8,200 are listed as missing in action or lost or buried at sea. In addition 103,284 were wounded during the
conflict. Source- http://www.koreanwarvetsmemorial.org/memorial
“Freedom is not free.” These four words on the wall of the Korean War Veterans
Memorial reflected the sentiments of men and women who served during the Korean
War – as well as those who fought and sacrificed to preserve democracy throughout
our history.
Korean War Memorial Q & A
When was the Korean War fought?
What do the statues represent?
World War II Memorial
The National World War II Memorial honors the 16 million people who served as part of the American
armed forces during World War II, including more than 400,000 who gave the ultimate sacrifice for their
country. The memorial sits along the central vista of the National Mall, at the east end of the Reflecting
Pool. Source- https://washington.org/DC-guide-to/national-world-war-ii-memorial
White House (Stop)
Our first president, George Washington, selected the site for the White House in 1791. The
cornerstone was laid in 1792 and a competition design submitted by Irish-born architect
James Hoban was chosen. After eight years of construction, President John Adams and his
wife, Abigail, moved into the unfinished house in 1800. During the War of 1812, the British set
fire to the President’s House in 1814. James Hoban was appointed to rebuild the house, and
President James Monroe moved into the building in 1817. During Monroe’s administration, the
South Portico was constructed in 1824, and Andrew Jackson oversaw the addition of the
North Portico in 1829. During the late 19th century, various proposals were made to
significantly expand the President’s House or to build an entirely new house for the president,
but these plans were never realized.
In 1902, President Theodore Roosevelt began a major renovation of the White House,
including the relocation of the president’s offices from the Second Floor of the Residence to
the newly constructed temporary Executive Office Building (now known as the West Wing).
The Roosevelt renovation was planned and carried out by the famous New York architectural
firm McKim, Mead and White. Roosevelt’s successor,President William Howard Taft, had the
Oval Office constructed within an office wing.
Less than fifty years after the Roosevelt renovation, the White House was showing signs of
serious structural weakness. President Harry S. Truman began a renovation of the building in
which everything but the outer walls were dismantled. The reconstruction was overseen by
architect Lorenzo Winslow, and the Truman family moved back into the White House in 1952.
Every president since John Adams has occupied the White House, and the history of this
building extends far beyond the construction of its walls. From the Ground Floor Corridor
rooms, transformed from their early use as service areas, to the State Floor rooms, where
countless leaders and dignitaries have been entertained, the White House is both the home of
the President of the United States his family and a museum of American history. The White
House is a place where history continues to unfold. Source- www.whitehouse.gov
White House Trivia- Fill in the missing numbers or words for the facts below.
•
•
•
•
•
There are _______ rooms, ______ bathrooms, and 6 levels in the Residence. There are
also 412 doors, 147 windows, ____ fireplaces, 8 staircases, and 3 elevators.
At various times in history, the White House has been known as the "President's Palace,"
the "President's House," and the "Executive Mansion." President ________Roosevelt
officially gave the White House its current name in 1901.
Presidential Firsts while in office... President James Polk (1845-49) was the first President
to have his photograph taken... President Theodore Roosevelt (1901-09) was not only the
first President to ride in an automobile, but also the first President to travel outside the
country when he visited Panama... President_____________ Roosevelt (1933-45) was the
first President to ride in an airplane.
The White House kitchen is able to serve dinner to as many as 140 guests and hors
d'oeuvres to more than 1,000.
The White House requires _______ gallons of paint to cover its outside surface.
Iwo Jima Memorial
The Marine Corps War Memorial (more commonly known as the Iwo Jima Memorial) is perhaps one of
the most moving memorials in the DC region. The world-famous statue, which is based on the iconic
photograph taken by Associated Press photographer Joe Rosenthal, depicts the six soldiers who raised
of the second American flag at Iwo Jima in the Japanese Volcano Islands on February 23, 1945,
signifying the conclusion of the American campaign in the Pacific during World War II. The memorial is
dedicated to “the Marine dead of all wars and their comrades of other services who fell fighting beside
them.” The memorial was dedicated on November 10, 1954 by President Dwight D. Eisenhower and the
American flag has flown from the statue 24 hours a day, 365 days a year by presidential proclamation
ever since. Source- https://washington.org/DC-guide-to/marine-corps-war-memorial
War Memorials Q & A
Which war memorial did you find particularly interesting or moving? Explain.
Day 3- Archives, Buildings, Museums and Parades
National Archives
The Rotunda of the National Archives Building in downtown Washington, DC, displays the Constitution,
the Bill of Rights, and the Declaration of Independence. Source- https://www.archives.gov/
Newseum
The Newseum, headquartered in Washington, D.C., is dedicated to free expression and the five freedoms
of the First Amendment: religion, speech, press, assembly and petition.
Since opening in 2008, more than six million have visited its modern building located on historic
Pennsylvania Avenue between the United States Capitol and the White House. The Newseum’s seven
levels of interactive exhibits include 15 galleries and 15 theaters. Among the most memorable exhibits are
the 9/11 Gallery sponsored by Comcast featuring the broadcast antennae from the top of the World Trade
Center, the Berlin Wall Gallery whose eight concrete sections are one of the largest pieces of the original
wall outside Germany, and the Pulitzer Prize Photographs Gallery which features photographs from every
Pulitzer Prize-winning entry dating back to 1942. In 2015, TripAdvisor users rated the Newseum as a
“Traveler’s Choice Top 25 Museum in the U.S.”
Considered one of the most interactive museums in the world, the Newseum experience also traces the
evolution of electronic communication from the birth of radio, to the technologies of the present and the
future. Source- http://www.newseum.org/
Library of Congress
The Library of Congress is the nation’s first established cultural institution and the largest library in the
world, with millions of items including books, recordings, photographs, maps and manuscripts in its
collections.
The Library provides Congress, the federal government and the American people with a rich, diverse and
enduring source of knowledge to inform, inspire and engage them and support their intellectual and
creative endeavors. Source- https://www.loc.gov/about/
Library of Congress Q & A
How did it feel to stand in the Rotunda of the Library of Congress surrounded by all
of those books?
To what page was the Guttenberg Bible open?
Capitol Building (Note: There will only be time for a group picture at this site)
The United States Capitol is a monument, a working office building, and one of the most recognizable
symbols of representative democracy in the world.
National Air & Space Museum (on the mall in DC) **Student presentation by Noah Tantalo
(German WWII Air Force)
The National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC has thousands of objects on display, including
the 1903 Wright Flyer, Charles Lindbergh's Spirit of St. Louis, the Apollo 11 Command Module
HYPERLINK "https://airandspace.si.edu/collections/artifact.cfm?object=nasm_A19700102000"Columbia,
and a lunar rock you can touch. In addition to our exhibition galleries, you may want to visit the Albert
Einstein Planetarium, Lockheed Martin IMAX® Theater, and the Public Observatory on the east terrace.
National Air & Space Museum (on the mall in DC) Q & A
What were the risks that both the Wright Brothers and the Shuttle Crews took to
advance exploration?
List two to three things you learned from this museum?
Evening Parade
A one hour and fifteen minute performance of music and precision marching, the Evening Parade
features "The President's Own" United States Marine Band, "The Commandant's Own" The United States
Marine Drum and Bugle Corps, the Marine Corps Color Guard, the Marine Corps Silent Drill Platoon,
Ceremonial Marchers, and LCpl. Chesty XIII, the official mascot of Marine Barracks Washington.
The ceremony starts at 8:45 p.m., beginning with a concert by the United States Marine Band. The
Evening Parade, held every Friday evening during the summer, has become a universal symbol of the
professionalism, discipline, and Esprit de Corps of the United States Marines.
The "Oldest Post of the Corps," was established in 1801, and has performed military reviews and
ceremonies since its founding. The present-day Evening Parade was first conducted on July 5, 1957.
Day 4- Hazey & Homeward Bound
National Air & Space Museum Udvar-Hazey Center (Chantilly, VA)
**Student presentation by Troy Mazzatti
The Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, also called the Udvar-Hazy Center, is the Smithsonian National Air
and Space Museum(NASM)'s annex at Washington Dulles International Airport in the Chantilly area of
Fairfax County, Virginia, United States.
Student Reflection- Read the prompt below and respond thoughtfully. Return this packet to class
Tuesday, June 7th prepared to share your response and submit this entire packet to your teacher in
class.
Prompt: Describe how this trip to Washington D.C. has impacted you. Explain how you believe it
benefits your education. Describe the benefits of this trip as an American citizen. Be sure to include
some specific supporting details, perhaps including references to specific sites you visited or things you
experienced on the trip.
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