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Slanted Wayside Exhibit: Navy and Munitions Buildings (“tempos”) 507 words / Total Audio Description: 2 minutes, 49 seconds Site Information 147 words / 49 seconds This is an audio description of an interpretive sign titled Not Built to Last. The sign is divided into 2 parts. On the left is a graphic panel measuring 3 feet (1 meter) wide by 2 feet (0.5 meters) tall. On the right, a tactile map is 1 foot (0.3 meters) wide by 2 feet (0.5 meters) tall. An audio speaker with push buttons and two solar panels separates the graphic panel from the map. All parts are set within an angled black metal frame with two legs that raise the sign 3 feet (1 meter) off the ground. Beyond the panel is a rectangular grassy area and then a lake. To the left is a streetlight and a large asphalt and gravel plaza. The plaza is 100 feet (30 meters) by 100 feet (30 meters) and has 3 sets of steps leading down to the lake. Exhibit Panel Content 299 words / 1 minute, 39 seconds The title reads Not Built to Last. A historic, black and white aerial photograph fills the sign. This photograph shows a grid of identical, white, three-story buildings with square windows that once stretched parallel to the reflecting pool. These buildings are color-coded yellow in the sign to indicate they no longer exist. To the right of these buildings, white buildings line Constitution Avenue as the winding Potomac River continues curves toward the top right corner of the panel toward Georgetown. White text, located at the top of the panel, reads: Instead of a peaceful pond, rows of office buildings once squatted on the land in front of you. Franklin D. Roosevelt ordered the temporary “Tempo” buildings constructed in 1917 when he was Assistant Secretary of the Navy. He meant for them to stand for 15 years, but instead they outlasted his presidency. The Tempos that stood here came down in 1970, but by then there were dozens of others. One Tempo still stands on 14th Street near the Tidal Basin. White text, located at the top of the panel, reads: This aerial view of the Tempo buildings was taken in 1925 from the top of the Washington Monument.White captions label the photograph. At the bottom center of the graphic panel, near the You Are Here label, a white street label reads, 17th St NW. To the right of this street label, a small yellow label with black text reads, Lockkeeper’s House. Moving toward the top of the panel, two white labels in white text label an intersection near the temporary buildings: Constitution Avenue NW and Virginia Avenue NW. In the bottom right-hand corner of the panel, a black circle with white text reads: Can you think of other things designed to be temporary that lasted a long time? Tactile Map 61 words / 20 seconds The title reads Tempo Buildings.A tactile map to the right of the panel and audio description buttons outlines the former locations of the temporary office buildings. Use your finger to trace the comb-like shapes of the building footprints. A legend with raised letters below the map contains text that reads: You Are Here North Lincoln Memorial Temporary Building Water Grass [End of description.] |
Last updated: February 28, 2025