BUILT IN 1887, it was called the Pension Building, home to the Pension Bureau, which existed from 1832 until 1930. It was then used as Federal government offices until around 1960 and was nearly demolished before being designated the National Building Museum in 1980.
Since heavy rains were expected that Sunday, my cousin Al suggested it as a good place for us to get together with his family (husband John and son Casey) and his sister's family (Lindsey, her husband Mark, daughter Lily, and son Owen). Poor San Geraldo was exhausted after our busy schedule in New York and our first several days in Washington. So he didn't join us. When I escaped the torrential rain and entered the building, I breathed a great sigh of relief that he wasn't with me. Kids everywhere!
The building was magnificent.
But KIDS!
EVERYWHERE!
I had a great time and was in desperate need of a siesta at the end of the day. San Geraldo would not have survived. (And they had the best gift shop!)
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| I WADED UP THAT PATH IN ANKLE-DEEP WATER WITH MY HEAD POKING OUT OF A JUMBO TRASH BAG. VADEÉ POR ESE CAMINO EN AGUA HASTA LOS TOBILLOS CON LA CABEZA ASOMANDO DE UNA GRAN BOLSA DE PLÁSTICA. |
CONSTRUIDO EN 1887, se llamaba el Edificio de Pensiones, hogar de la Oficina de Pensiones, que existió desde 1832 hasta 1930. Luego fue utilizadó como oficinas del gobierno federal hasta alrededor de 1960 y casi se demolió antes de ser designado el Museo del Edificio Nacional en 1980.
Como se esperaban fuertes lluvias ese domingo, mi primo Al sugirió que era un buen lugar para reunirnos con su familia (su marido John y su hijo Casey) y la familia de su hermana (mi prima Lindsey, su marido Mark, su hija Lily y su hijo Owen). ) El pobre San Geraldo estaba agotado después de nuestra apretada agenda en Nueva York y nuestros primeros días en Washington. Entonces él no se unió a nosotros. Cuando escapé de la tormenta torrencial de lluvia y entré al edificio, suspiré aliviado de que él no estuviera conmigo. Niños en todas partes!
El edificio fue magnífico.
¡Pero NIÑOS!
¡EN TODOS LADOS!
Me lo pasé de maravilla y necesitaba desesperadamente una siesta al final del día. San Geraldo no habría sobrevivido. (¡Y el lugar tiene la mejor tienda de regalos!)
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| WHAT I WOULD HAVE SEEN IF NOT FOR THE DOWNPOUR. LO QUE HABRÍA VISTO SI NO HUBIERA SIDO POR EL AQUACERO. |
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| PENSION BUILDING, 1918. EDIFICIO DE PENSIONES, 1918. |
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| THE NATIONAL BUILDING MUSEUM, 2018. |
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| SPECIAL EXHIBIT FUN HOUSE. (SAN GERALDO WOULD HAVE CALLED IT "HELL HOUSE." EXHIBICIÓN ESPECIAL "CASA DE DIVERSIÓN". (SAN GERALDO LO HABRÍA LLAMADO "CASE DEL INFIERNO"). |
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| AND TWO BALL-FILLED "SWIMMING" POOLS. Y DOS "PISCINAS" LLENAS DE PELOTAS. |
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| CASEY TESTS THE "WATER." CASEY PRUEBA EL "AGUA." |
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| OWEN PERFECTS HIS FROG KICK. OWEN PERFECCIONA SU PATADA DE RANA. |
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| JOHN FINDS SERENITY (WITH HELP FROM ME — AND PHOTOSHOP). JOHN ENCUENTRA SERENIDAD (CON LA AYUDA DE MÍ Y PHOTOSHOP). |
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| LILY THE MASTER ROBOT BUILDER. LILY EL MAESTRO CONSTRUCTOR DE ROBOTS. |
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| CASEY: "BUT I WANT THE ORANGE PIECE!!!" CASEY: "PERO QUIERO LA PIEZA NARANJA!!!" |
"SAN GERALDO WOULD HAVE CALLED IT 'HELL HOUSE'". - so would I! too damn many rugrats!
ReplyDeletethe NBM IS a fabu building though; such elegant construction!
anne marie:
DeleteI was stunned when I walked in. I had seen the building from a distance earlier in the day and was intrigued. I loved seeing all the kids, but it did get a little overwhelming at times.
Just read an interesting Wikipedia article about the building...and you're right about the gift shop. It mentions the many awards it's won.
ReplyDeleteSheila:
DeleteAnd I didn't buy anything! Too tired at the end to go back in.
Such beautiful building. The elegant interior is so wonderful.
ReplyDeletecheers, parsnip
Parsnip:
DeleteThe building is exceptional and it was a marvel of construction. So glad it was saved from demolition.
That fun house looks great
ReplyDeleteAdam:
DeleteIt was a blast. Made of styrofoam and recycled plastic I think.
What a great piece of architecture! Stunning!
ReplyDeleteI am amazed at how parents do it....kudos to them and YOU, Mitch, for going and recording this event.
Jim:
DeleteMost parents there were having a really good time with their kids. Nice to see. My cousins seem to enjoy every moment with their kids.
I like the contrast between the funhouse and the super elegant structure it's in.
ReplyDeleteKirk:
DeleteSo do I. A great juxtaposition.
Fantastic building, but so many kids, the sounds they make,
ReplyDeleteTravel:
DeleteThe silence was deafening when I got outside.
I would have enjoyed the ball pits, but I'm like San Geraldo. Maybe best to time a visit when school is in. :)
ReplyDeleteSnoskred:
DeleteAnd then they have those school outings! Probably never a really good time to visit if you want to avoid the kids. As for the ball pits... GERMS!!!
Beautiful building. I'm with SG on avoiding masses of children.
ReplyDeleteWilma:
DeleteJerry loves our friends' kids, but one at a time is about all he can take.