T
his spring, USCHS members explored the U.S.
Capitol grounds and the Library of Congress,
uncovered the hidden history of Capitol Hill, and
learned about some of the "residents" of Congressional
Cemetery on our Spring Members Only Tour Series.
On the Landscape Tour of Capitol Square, Super-
intendent of the Capitol Grounds Ted Bechtol walked
members through Frederick Law Olmsted's landscape
design plan and discussed efforts to maintain and pre-
serve the grounds so that they adhere to that plan. On
the Spies of Capitol Hill Tour led by our resident "spy-
master" Carol Bessette, members were treated to a be-
hind-the-scenes look at how everyday neighborhoods
and objects on Capitol Hill became the backgrounds
and instruments of the spy world.
Paul Williams and Daniel Holcombe of Historic
Congressional Cemetery led members around the final
resting place of Members of Congress, military and
government officials, and Washingtonians both famous
and infamous. In addition, members learned about the
ongoing preservation efforts at the cemetery. On the
final tour in our series, Library of Congress Docents
Chris Keunen and Barry Boughton led members on
a guided tour of the art and architecture of the Jef-
ferson Building of the Library of Congress. Members
also learned about the collection at the library, which
includes the handwritten Giant Bible of Mainz and the
printed Gutenberg Bible.
A special thanks to all our tour guides as well as to
the members who were able to attend! The tour series
is open to all USCHS members; click here to join or
renew your membership!
USCHS MEMBERS EXPLORE CAPITOL HILL
USCHS members at Congressional Cemetery
Members examine The Gutenberg Bible
4
USCHS Calendar
Check our calendar online for the most
up-to-date listing of events planned for
2016!
USCHS offices will be closed
Nov. 25-27 for Thanksgiving.
Philanthropy in Motion
Thanks to a very generous donation from Ron and Leslie Sarasin,
USCHS was able to increase the number of people served by the
Society's educational programs. As more people are benefiting
from a variety of USCHS educational programs, USCHS Chief
Tour Guide Steve Livengood is needed in more and more places.
Some days he is meeting Fellows at the Capitol Visitor Center, 8th
grade students at the bottom of the Hill, and then a group high-
school students back at the top of the Hill. "As a 70-year-old
disabled Vietnam veteran, my knees understand why they call it
the Hill," said Livengood. "The Society could not have purchased
the Segway without the extra generosity of the Sarasins. Their
gift increases the number of people that I can encourage to be
involved, informed citizens, which is the backbone of democracy."
