Until just moments ago, I was all excitedly prepared to tell you how my first Presidential grave was not who I always thought it was (Nixon), but actually George Washington during a visit to Mount Vernon when I was just one year old. My Dad thought that I had also probably seen Woodrow Wilson’s grave in the National Cathedral during the visit. It was all plausible considering I had gone along on the trip and there were slides of both Mt. Vernon and the Cathedral in the set that my Dad took. But then Mom dropped the bomb on me: I never actually made it into Washington D.C. in 1973. I didn’t actually get there until 1998.
Mom and Dad and Bev and Ed decided to take a mini-vacation over Memorial Day Weekend (May 26-28) in 1973, riding along uncomfortably in my parents’ AMC Hornet. Ed recalls that I entertained them all by attempting to sing the theme song to All in the Family all the way there, which came out something akin to “Dozer da Days.”
We stayed at my Mom’s Aunt Louise (Grandpa Murphy’s sister) and Uncle Carroll’s place in McLean, Virginia which was about ten miles from Washington D.C. Also living with them was my Great-Grandma Murphy. Both Louise and Carroll actually worked in D.C. and Ed had lived there at one time so he knew his way around. A trip into town to do some sightseeing was inevitably a no-brainer.
Louise and Carroll’s respectable house and our AMC hornet in the driveway
Carroll and Bev play a game of ping-pong while Mom looks on
I would later refine my pool game on that very table in the foreground during future trips to Louise and Carroll’s house
Great Grandma Murphy, Mom, and me
My Dad recalls that the roads were incredibly difficult to manipulate, a fact that I would discover some thirty-four years later! Perhaps it would have been the added aggravation of listening to “Dozer da Days” while maneuvering the silly road configuration, but the fact is that my parents left me in the care of Louise and Carroll Stewart and my Great Grandma Murphy while they traipsed off to enjoy the historic town. Nevermind my thirst for knowledge, nevermind that it would have made a great story for the website that one of the most Presidential trivia-minded hounds in the country had visited the Washington homestead at the age of one. I was not invited!
So just for the record, here a few of the photo slides that my Dad took in D.C. I’m actually surprised that there were not more locations captured on film, but all that we have are some shots at Mount Vernon and the Washington Cathedral. Certainly they must have at least driven past the White House, the Capitol building, the National Mall, and Arlington Cemetery. I know that’s what I would have told them to do!
The Washington Cathedral featuring the elusive grave of Woodrow Wilson
My Dad’s photo of Mount Vernon (see mine here)
The graves of the Washingtons. Destiny beckoned but I didn’t answer.
Oh well. My time would come.
1973 will continue…
I went to Mt. Vernon when I was about 5 years old. The only things I could remember was a roped off bed, the chairs on the front porch overlooking the river, and the grandfather clock that stood on the first landing of the staircase. The clock made the most lasting impression. As we waited in line to ascend the staircase, I studied it carefully. I didn’t get back to Mount Vernon until 2006. By that time, I was very disappointed to learn, the grandfather clock was no longer there. I asked the tourguide about it. She was shocked that a person of my age would even know about it and where it stood. She explained that the clock no longer worked and was presently housed in one of the offices for its protection. I asked to be allowed to see it, but they said it would not be possible. I visited again in 2007, and asked to see the clock. Once again, I was refused. But, I did get to witness the opening of the Washington Crypt and the placement of a wreath by a WW2 veteran. They allowed us to momentarily step into the crypt and take pictures without the iron gate in the way. That was very exciting!
Ask your mother and father if they remember the Grandfather Clock.
Dave Chasteen
June 21st, 2008
Well, at first I thought that this was just another case of my mysterious father not telling any of us that he lived somewhere or did something (like owning an Indian restaurant). My mom and I had never heard of my dad living in DC. He told us that he was stationed at Fort Belvoir in 1965 and 1966 while in the Army when he was on active duty. I guess it is outside of DC somewhere.
To this day I believe that my dad is actually a spy.
Chris
June 21st, 2008
Don’t worry! Years from now you will hear stories from your Dad about how he golfed with the president, boxed Ali and rode his bike to California, and you will wonder how you went through your life until that point never knowing these things.
Darlene
June 21st, 2008
I’m actually the one who thought Ed lived in DC, but maybe it was just that he was familiar with the DC area, so he was actually the one that drove into DC. I don’t remember the Mt. Vernon trip, but I do remember being in the White House when they used to give tours. I’m not sure if it was this trip, or another time with my parents. I also remember visiting the Capitol Building, the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington Cemetery, but I don’t remember the National Mall. We also spent quite a bit of time at the Smithsonian. Again, not sure which trips these visits were as I also did a couple of trips with my parents (sorry Brad, I’m pretty sure they were before you were born). I would love to take another trip to DC sometime.
Mom/Barb
June 23rd, 2008
You mean I could’ve just dropped you off at Aunt Louise’s last summer and done DC on my own? Now you tell me!
Bob
June 28th, 2008
It’s not as much fun at her house anymore. She’s dead.
Brad
June 28th, 2008