A National Funeral - Gerald Ford
The U.S. Capitol building is closed for tours until January 3rd due to the memorial services for former President Gerald Ford. His remains will be lying in state at the Capitol from Saturday 12/30, until Monday 1/1. On Tuesday morning, a national funeral service will be held at Washington National Cathedral.
President Ford was the only U.S. president in history who was neither elected as president or vice president. Ford served in the House of Representatives for 25 years as a Michigan congressman and was later Republican house leader.
In 1973, after President Richard Nixon’s vice president, Spiro Agnew resigned, Ford was appointed vice president. The following year, Ford became the 38th president when Nixon resigned to avoid impeachment for covering up the Democratic National Committee burglary at the Watergate Hotel.
Public viewing hours at the U.S. Capitol Rotunda are:
- Saturday, 12/30 - 8:00 p.m. - Midnight
- Sunday, 12/31 - 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
- Monday, 1/1 - 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
The outdoor waiting area (dress accordingly) is 3rd St. and Maryland Avenue, S.W.
Traffic may be very heavy and several streets will be closed around the Capitol and in other areas around the Mall due to memorial services. Using Metro is highly recommended. Parking will also be limited.
Admission to the Capitol is free.
Nearest Metro subway stops - Capitol South, Federal Center, S.W., and Union Station.
For additional recorded information, call the U.S. Capitol Visitor Information Line at 202-225-6827.
The last two people to lie in state at the U.S. Capitol were former President Ronald Reagan in 2004, and civil rights pioneer Rosa Parks in 2005.
Photo credit: Courtesy of the Gerald R. Ford Library, David Hume Kennerly photographer
__________________________________________________________
Comments Off