On Friday, October 11th, 2019, Cortona Academy students had the amazing opportunity to visit the United States Library of Congress in Washington, D..C. Cortona Academy chooses to do this particular field trip every few years because we think its one of the most beautiful buildings to grace our nation’s capital. The Library of Congress Jefferson Building was built between 1890 and 1897. The Library opened to the public in 1897 and the finishing work was completed in 1898.
The students learned the gorgeous interior was created by the highest level of American craftsman and artist, and is a great example of the American Gilded Age. One of the things that most impressed the students was the sheer level of the collection housed inside the library. They learned that more than 38 million books and other printed materials, 3.6 million recordings, 14 million photographs, 5.5 million maps, 8.1 million pieces of sheet music and 70 million manuscripts are contained within the collection.
The tour guide was very helpful and told the students how they could obtain a library card to be able to use the collection, many of them expressed the want to be able to do that. All of the students were in awe at the art and beauty of the building, and understood why the United States would want the home of their written word to be so majestic. After our lovely tour, the students explored the National Botanical Garden, which is a hidden gem on the National Mall.
The cool weather of many of the indoor climates was a welcome change from how hot it was outside. With the dry, cool, Mediterranean exhibit being a big hit! All in all, it was a wonderful day for the students. We are all very lucky to be able to visit Washington D.C as a part of our school experience.