H is for the Hill; Exploring the Capitol and our nation's history!

Russell Senate Office
Building

H is for the Hill...bet you saw that one coming! Yesterday, I was fortunate to go on an official tour of the Capitol building with other DOEd interns.  It was a great experience overall, but if you've ever been to the Capitol building, you've experienced the long lines and overload of history, facts, and people who know all about our nation's founding.  It was, however, one of my favorite things in D.C. so far!

Starting out our tour at the Russell Senate Office Building (if you haven't checked it out, you definitely should).  It is a beautiful building inside and out.  After a couple elevator rides, and meeting up with our Capitol tour guides (Hill interns from New York!), we were off down the tunnel from the Senate Building to the Capitol.  There were so many things to take it, I don't think I can report them all in this post.

After a tour of the Old Supreme Court Chamber, the surrounding art-filled hallways, and a quick peek into the Capitol Rotunda, we headed to the Senate and House galleries to observe the daily dealings of the Capitol, C-span style!  It truly was a wonderful experience getting to see many of the people I read about in the newspaper, and to see the American government in action (literally!)  From the Visitor Center and the Statue of Freedom to the first Capitol cornerstone (put in place by George Washington) and the Inaugural steps (Yes, I walked up and down them), we toured the building and learned many historical facts about our nation.

Statue of Freedom

Capitol cornerstone

Capitol Visitor Center

The Inaugural Steps!

After the tour, I was exhausted (like so tired I could take at least a 5 hour nap...) but it was time to go back to work!  There certainly isn't rest for an intern, especially not one that wants to see and do all she can while in D.C.
(that's me!)

Beautifully painted hallways
in the Capitol!

The Capitol Rotunda
(under construction)

At 5:30, I headed to meet another intern to attend an economic policy forum for "job seekers" hosted by the Heritage Foundation.  Heritage is a conservative think tank, and just like all the other events and speakers I have attended, offered great advise for someone, like me, wanting to go into policy.  This just goes to show that no matter what political views someone hold, Washington, D.C. is a great place to fuel your inner curiosity, and to learn from others.

From the Hill's history to Heritage, this day was certainly one of the most rewarding so far!

With fellow DOEd interns at the center of the city!