National Mall Walking Tour with an Original Surveyor
Benjamin Banneker was a free-born descendent of African slaves who was not only a mathematician, clockmaker, astronomer and publisher, but also had a near photographic memory. Some historians consider him the first African-American scientist.
Raised on a tobacco farm in Maryland, he was self-taught in the sciences and problem-solving skills.
From 1792 to 1797, he was appointed to assist DC urban planner Pierre Charles L’Enfant in surveying and planning the land that was to become Washington, D.C.
Working closely L’Enfant before he quit over bureaucratic frustration and taking the only printed plans to the city with him, legend has it that Banneker single-handedly re-created L’Enfant plans from memory in only two days. While the story is not true, it does make for great urban legend.
Returning to Maryland, Banneker continued his intellectual pursuits, including publishing astronomical calculations, an almanac, and communicating with Thomas Jefferson to plea for his support for civil rights for not just African-Americans, but for all people.
He also proposed the establishment of a new department in the Federal government, the Department of Peace, designed to offset the Department of War by promoting world peace and the elimination of wars and conflict.
Some 200 years later, his idea for a Department of Peace has been proposed as recently as February, 2007, before the U.S. House of Representatives (HR 808).
Learn about Benjamin Banneker and his impact on DC in the early days of our nation’s capital on a tour hosted by UC Tours.
The 2-hour guided walking tour of The National Mall also includes a visit to the park named after this Africian-American pioneer, Banneker Overlook Park, information about the original canal system that is now Constitution Avenue and other fun facts about the building of Washingotn, DC.
The walk is only a mile or so, so it’s easy for kids and seniors.
Walking Tour: Benjamin Banneker’s DC
National Mall
Washington, DC
Date and Time - Sunday, March 11 - 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Tickets - Adults $10.00, children 4-10 $5.00, no reservations required
Starting and Ending Points – Start at the Smithsonian Metro stop, Independence Avenue exit, end at Freedom Plaza at Pennsylvania Avenue and 13th Street, NW.
For More Information - 202-526-3384
Nearest Metro subway station – Smithsonian - Orange and Blue line
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2 Comments
I see that you gave a tour some time ago about surveyors of dc. I was wondering if you tour touch at all on William Forsyth (1820-1902) who was a Surveyor for the city of DC in the late 1800’s. If so, what did you speak about him, about. Also do you have a picture of him. That is what I am really looking for. I would be willing to pay a small fee if you had a picture of him and be very greatful too. Please do let me know.
Thank you
Stephen Hosmer
[email protected].
Stephen: the tour was offered by UC Tours - http://www.uctours.com/walk.html, so you might want to contant them.
If looking for specific info on DC history, the Historical Society of Washington, DC - http://www.historydc.org/, may be helpful.