Monthly CALENDAR OF EVENTS
In our National Capital Region Parks
New or updated entries as of 10/30/09
Contact: Toni Braxton
Welcome to the
National Capital Region of the National Park Service. National Park Service rangers
present interpretive programs, biking and walking tours and special events
throughout the park sites. All events are free except where noted and open to
the public. Dates, times and information are subject to change. Please watch
for updates. An electronic version of this document can be obtained via the
World Wide Web at "http://www.nps.gov/ncro". These are the
major events of the year on the Mall and at National Park sites in the
Metropolitan area. The calendar is prepared in the Office of Communications.
For additional information you may call (202)
619-7222.
America the Beautiful -
National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass- the National Park
Service is an important participant in the new Interagency Pass Program which
was created by the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act and authorized by
Congress in December 2004. Participating agencies include the National Park
Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture-Forest Service, Fish and Wildlife
Service, Bureau of Land Management and Bureau of Reclamation. To learn about
the America
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November
"UNDER
FIRE: THE BATTLE OF HARPERS FERRY 1862"
11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Saturday and Sunday,
October 31 and November 1
Harpers Ferry National Historic Park, Bolivar
Heights Battlefield, Harpers Ferry, WV
This program will
interpret the Battle of Harpers Ferry and the surrender of the Union garrison
to southern forces under General Stonewall Jackson and includes artillery
firing demonstrations. Visitors are invited to witness the power of Confederate
artillery that sealed the fate of the federal soldiers. Programs are scheduled for 12:00 p.m., 2:00
p.m. and 3:00 p.m. Entrance fee to the
park is $6 per vehicle for 3 days or $4 per person on foot, bicycle or
motorcycle. For further information call 304-535-6029.
2009 BIKE TOURS ON THE NATIONAL MALL
1:00 -4:00 p.m.,
Saturday and Sundays, November 1-29
Meet at the
Jefferson Memorial Plaza at the base of the memorial steps
Join National Park Service Rangers every Saturday and
Sunday for FREE guided bike tours of the Nation’s Capital. For additional information contact Jason
Martz at 202-438-4391. All riders must bring a helmet and water.
“ON HALLOWED GROUND:
THE STORY OF ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY”
3:00 p.m., Saturday, November 7
Arlington House, The Robert E.
Lee Memorial, McLean, VA
Arlington House will host a
special lecture by historian Robert M. Poole. The book, On Hallowed Ground: The
History of Arlington National Cemetery, will be
released on Veteran’s Day,
November 11. For this event it will be
possible to drive into the cemetery and park at the Arlington House. Parking at
Arlington House is available only with a reservation. Reservations must
be made by Friday, November 6. Call 703-235-1530. Additional information is
available at www.nps.gov/arho or 703-235-1530.
2009 JOHN BROWN RAID SESQUICENTENNIAL
November 7,
2009 - December 16, 2009
Harpers Ferry
National Historical Park, Harpers Ferry, WV
Harper Ferry NHP and partners will host a variety of
events commemorating this anniversary. More information on Sesquicentennial Events or you can call 304-535-6029.
·
November 7-8, 2009 - “If John Brown did not end the war that ended slavery, he did at
least begin the war that ended slavery.”
·
November 22, 2009 – John Brown Walking Tour of Charles Town
Jefferson County
·
November 28, 2009 – Tour of the John Blessing House
·
December 2, 2009 – NAACP John Brown Observance
·
December 2, 2009 – Freedom Fighter –v- Traitor?
·
December 16, 2009 – NAACP Green/Copeland Observance
·
December 16, 2009 – John Brown Community Forum
VETERANS DAY EVENTS
HONORING AMERICA’S VETERANS
While those who died are remembered on Veterans Day, let
us also remember that Veterans Day is the day set aside to thank and honor ALL
those who served honorably in the military - in wartime or peacetime. Veterans
Day is to thank LIVING veterans for their service as well, to acknowledge that
their contributions are appreciated.
Military Members, pass or present, and their families will be admitted
Free-of-Charge
To National Parks on Veterans Day, Wednesday, November 11
The 392 units of
the National Park Service preserve and protect some of the country’s most
significant scenic and cultural places.
The website www.nps.gov/pub_aff/veterans/honor.htm
provides information on National Park Service battlefields, military parks, and
historic sites that commemorate the service of American veterans. Normally, 147
National Park Service sites charge entrance fees ranging from $3 to $25. The 244 other parks do not charge entrance
fees. The waiver does not include other fees collected in advance or by
contractors-such as fees charged for camping, reservations, tours and use of
concessions.
VETERANS DAY AT WORLD WAR II MEMORIAL
8:00 a.m.,
Wednesday, November 11
World War II
Memorial, 17th Street between Constitution and Independence Avenues,
Washington, D.C.
The World War II Memorial commemorates the sacrifice and
celebrates the victory of the WWII generation. There will be a wreath laying
ceremony at the memorial to honor veterans of the war.
STORY TELLING AT THE VIETNAM WOMEN'S MEMORIAL
9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.,
Wednesday, November 11
Vietnam Women's Memorial, 23rd and Constitution
Ave. NW Washington, D.C.
This year marks the 16th anniversary of the Vietnam Women's
Memorial. Stories come to life as Vietnam veterans, Vietnam-era veterans and
the children of veterans tell stories "in their own voices" about
their experiences. Storytellers will be
featured every half-hour near the site of the Vietnam Women's Memorial
throughout the day beginning at 9:00 a.m. and concluding at 4:00 p.m., with a
break for the ceremony at "The Wall" at 1:00 p.m. For further
information call 1-866-822-8963 or visit www.VietnamWomensMemorial.org.
AMISTICE DAY AT ANTIETAM
11:00 a.m., Wednesday, November 11
Antietam National Battlefield, Sharpsburg, MD
There will be a
special wreath laying ceremony in the Sharpsburg Town Square. This ceremony is
in honor of the ending of World War I on the 11th day and the 11th
hour. For further information call 301-432-5124.
VETERANS DAY AT ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY
11:00 a.m., Wednesday, November 11
Arlington National Cemetery, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
A patriotic ceremony honoring America’s military members and veterans is
scheduled for Wednesday, November 11 at 11 a.m. in Arlington National Cemetery.
A wreath-laying ceremony will take place at the Tomb of the Unknowns, followed
by a ceremony in the Memorial Amphitheater. Both ceremonies are free and open
to the general public. No tickets are needed to attend this event. General
public must choose between the two locations. For those interested in observing
the wreath ceremony, space is limited to standing room only. Inside the
amphitheater, seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Attendees are encouraged to arrive early to ensure access to the event. At 8 a.m., the cemetery gates open and a free
shuttle service will begin transporting people from the visitor center to the
amphitheater. The cemetery’s visitor parking lot will be free until 1 p.m. For further information call 703-607-8000.
VETERANS DAY AT THE NAVY MEMORIAL
Wednesday,
November 11
U.S. Navy Memorial, 701 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington,
DC
The Naval District of Washington will lay a wreath, at
the Lone Sailor Statue in commemoration of Veterans Day. For further
information call 202-737-2300.
VETERANS DAY AT THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN CIVIL WAR MEMORIAL
Wednesday, November 11
African American Civil War Memorial, Vermont Ave. & U
Street, NW, Washington, D.C.
There will be a wreath laying ceremony at the memorial.
For further information call 202-667-2667.
VETERANS DAY AT VIETNAM VETERANS MEMORIAL
1:00 p.m., Wednesday, November 11
Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Washington, D.C.
Veterans Day will be observed with speeches, speakers,
color guard, and a wreath-laying ceremony at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. The
annual Veterans Day Observance at The Wall is co-hosted by The Vietnam Veterans
Memorial Fund and the National Park Service to pay tribute to all who served
and sacrificed during the Vietnam War and America’s other conflicts, including
Afghanistan and Iraq. For further
information call 202-619-7222.
THE WOMEN IN MILITARY SERVICE FOR AMERICA MEMORIAL
OBSERVES VERTERAN'S DAY
3:00 p.m., Wednesday, November 11
Women in Military Service for America Memorial, at the
gateway to Arlington National Cemetery
A wreath laying ceremony will take place at the memorial
with formal military honors, keynote address and veteran's remarks. The annual Women’s Memorial Veterans Day ceremony is free and open to the
public..
Delivering this year’s keynote address
is retired Navy Rear Admiral Kathleen Martin, the 19th chief of the Navy Nurse
Corps and a former National Naval Medical Center commander. For more information
call 800-222-2294 or 703-533-1155. The
Women in Military Service for America Memorial is the nation’s only major memorial honoring all servicewomen, past,
and present. Featuring an exhibit
gallery, theatre, Register of women who have served and a gift shop, the
Memorial is open to the public, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., daily.
[END OF VETERAN DAY
EVENTS]
A DRAMATIC DEBATE
1:00 p.m. to 3:00
p.m., Saturday and Sunday, November 7 and 8
Lower Town District,
171 Shoreline Drive, Harpers Ferry, WV
“If John Brown did not end the war that ended slavery, he
did at least begin the war that ended slavery.” Come out to watch the dramatic
debate between historical figures Frederick Douglass and Jim Getty, portrayed
by Fred Morsell as Frederick Douglass and Jim Getty
as Abraham Lincoln. Entrance fee to the park is $6 per vehicle for 3 days or $4
per person on foot, bicycle or motorcycle. For further information call
304-535-6029.
NATIONAL FAMILY VOLUNTEER DAY
10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., Saturday, November 21
Visitor Barn, Oxon Cove Park, Oxon Hill, MD
Volunteering
is a great way for families to stay connected by helping out in the community.
We will partner with the National Children’s Museum to offer a volunteer opportunity for
families to help maintain our newly rehabilitated Woodlot Trail. Not only will
you assist in the upkeep of the trail, but you will discover some fun things
about trails, forests, and wildlife. So, if you are up to the challenge, come
and join us in this national day of celebration. Wear a long-sleeved work
shirt, long pants, and sturdy shoes. Your help will be greatly appreciated. A
wagon ride through the park will be offered to all volunteers. Reservations
required. For further information call 301- 839-1176.
CELEBRATING
30 YEARS OF THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES FOR AFRICAN AMERICAN WOMEN’S HISTORY
12 noon,
Saturday, November 21
Mary McLeod Bethune Council House National Historic Site,
1318 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C.
Join the National
Park Service at the Mary McLeod Bethune Council House NHS, for a brown bag
luncheon to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the collection of
African American women’s history at the
Bethune Archives. The history of African
American fashion designers will be the focus of the luncheon. Rosemary
Reed Miller, founder of Toast and Strawberries Boutique in Dupont Circle, will give a presentation on the history of
African American women in fashion from the 1850’s to the present. Lara Akinsanya, creator of L’Shandi Designs will display designs from her
company and give a brief presentation on her work as an African American
fashion designer. Kim Lyons, creator of Yndigo Designs will
present her line of jewelry and discuss her work as an African American jewelry
designer. Designer Saharah will give her perspective on being an
African American fashion designer. Light
refreshments will be offered to compliment your brown bag lunch. This program is free and is part of an ongoing series
of public programs offered at the Mary McLeod Bethune Council House National
Historic Site to promote public understanding of the history and special places
that have been included in the National Park System. For further information, call (202) 673-2402.
VICTORIAN GREETING CARD WORKSHOP
11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., and 3:00 p.m., November 28 and 29
Clara Barton National Historic Site, 5801 Oxford Road,
Glen Echo, MD
Make your own Victorian-era holiday greeting card in the
style Miss Barton used to send to her friends. Participants will be
photographed in costumes of the period. Then, each photograph will be used to
make a holiday card. Participants may keep the cards. Workshops are open to all
ages, but adult supervision is required. This is a cut-and-paste activity
geared towards families and children. Reservations are
required, and space is limited. Please call 301-320-1410. Reservation begins
October 1.
LINKS
October
offers a spectacular show of fall foliage bright colors of gold, orange, and
red. If you want to check out the fall foliage at a national park this fall contact one of our national parks. Programs and
activities vary throughout the year, with a variety of ranger programs.
Programs are offered by rangers and at special events in coordination with
Living History volunteers. For more information about these programs and
activities, contact the park or visit the park website listed below.
For a
complete listing of ranger-led programs/ special activities/ in our National
Capital Region park sites visit:
-NPS-