FDR, Science, and the US Navy Exploring Expedition of 1838

National Mall and Memorial Parks

  • Dec 8, 2026 at 2:00 PM
  • Free

Lieutenant Charles Wilkes departed in 1838 with six sailing ships on a four-year surveying expedition. Decades later, Franklin Delano Roosevelt continued the tradition of incorporating modern technology in the Navy. Join a ranger to explore the leadership and scientific achievements of the U.S. Exploring Expedition.

We will walk from the U.S. Navy Memorial to the U.S. Botanic Garden, which features plants brought back by Wilkes and an exhibit on the National Park Service.

Fees

This event is free to attend.

Location

United States Navy Memorial (meet ranger in the park store lobby)

Schedule

Date:

Dec 8, 2026

Time:

2:00 PM

Duration:

1 hour and 30 minutes

Contact Information

Ranger Joe Mohr
(202) 426-6841

Event Type

  • Walk