Washington, D.C., is a city of powerful symbols—from the dominance of the Capitol dome and Washington Monument to the authority of the Smithsonian. This book takes us on a fascinating and informative tour of the nation's capital as Jeffrey F. Meyer unravels the complex symbolism of the city and explores its meaning for our national consciousness. Meyer finds that mythic and religious themes pervade the capital—in its original planning, in its monumental architecture, and in the ritualized events that have taken place over the 200 years the city has been the repository for the symbolism of the nation. As Meyer tours the city's famous axial layout, he discusses many historical figures and events, compares Washington to other great cities of the world such as Beijing and Berlin, and discusses the meaning and history of its architecture and many works of art. Treating Washington, D.C., as a complex religious center, Meyer finds that the city functions as a unifying element in American consciousness. This book will change the way we look at Washington, D.C., and provide a provocative new look at the meaning of religion in America today. It will also be a valuable companion for those traveling to this city that was envisioned from its inception as the center of the world.

Learn the history behind the re-building of the Capital City after the War of 1812. The destruction of Washington in 1814 by the invading British challenged President James Monroe & architect Benjamin Latrobe with the task of rebuilding the destroyed edifices of the city's public buildings. As symbols of the aspirations of the Republic, they had to be more than functional, they had to be beautiful. The building material they discovered and used to beautify the new Capitol was Potomac marble, which exists in abundance on both sides of the Potomac River, from Leesburg in Loudoun County, Virginia to Montgomery and Frederick Counties in Maryland. Local historian Paul Kreingold details Latrobe and Monroe's search for the ideal stone and their fight to use it to rebuild the chambers of the House and Senate.

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"Americans tend to think of the White House as a symbol of the Presidency rather than an exceptional example of early American craftsmanship. Yet, when seen close-up, the building is both bold and delicate in a way that surprises and impresses most visitors--surprises because such delicate ornamentation is carved out of stone, and impresses because such craftsmanship adds a new dimension to our appreciation of the White House as a landmark building. While a number of stories can be told about building the President's House in the 1790s, this story is limited to what it took to carve a stone building, and the preservation of that work as part of the White House's 200th anniversary"--Page 1.