I've got so used to West Coast history, which started around 1968, that walking into a 19th Century American building comes as quite a shock. The library is even more stunning in that every inch is carved, painted, etched or inlaid in a manner that gives the Sistine Chapel a run for its money - all the more surprising given it was built by the army. Does the army still do stuff like that?
Like most things around here, the British burned the library down in an unfortunate misunderstanding in 1814. Only one book survived, because it was half-inched by a British Rear Admiral as a trophy. It was given back in 1940 so no harm done.
To replace the toasted book collection, Thomas Jefferson donated all of his. Like Mat, he enjoyed owning lots of books too, and given they're in nine different languages he probably had the same reading-to-owning ratio. Another fire wiped out a good portion of that collection (why are the Americans so careless with their books?) but it's been restored into a fabulous circular display open to browse. They're still looking for 297 missing volumes, and will pay generously for anyone who has a copy, so check your attic.
The highlight for me was seeing a copy of the Gutenberg Bible, one of only three perfect copies on vellum from the first run. The gift shop was another good part, where they were selling busts of George Washington, Barrack Obama, and Ronald Reagan for $30 each. I'm sure I don't need to tell you which one I purchased.
After so much time in the refined and silent(-ish) halls of learning we met up with Hannah, Pete and the Murnanes for dinner at a fabulous Greek restaurant that Mat had been recommended by a colleague. Three toddlers stood bashing on the inside of the windows until each was placated with a parental smartphone. Books - so last century.
The three cornerstones of democracy next to each other: the Supreme Court...
...the Capitol building...
...and the library. The British only burned down two out of the three.
Inside. See what I mean? Fancy.
The one book that was...er...rescued.
Mathew compares his tastes to Thomas Jefferson's, but there are sadly no James Herberts or Jilly Coopers on display.
Good to see Jefferson owned one of my early works.
The main reading room, dedicated to social science. But you need a library card to get in, and my Frome one didn't grant me access.
This is a gallery dedicated to the academic pursuits. I don't see many here...
Ah, there we go.
The original Bible.
Quiet in the library please. Oh, we're not there anymore. Then go ahead.
