On February 27, the tenth grade class traveled to Washington D.C. for a day full of learning, reflection, and fun. The trip focused on the museums and monuments in the city, including the Holocaust Memorial Museum, the Air and Space Museum, the Museum of African American History and Culture, and the National Archives Museum. Notable monuments and memorials include the Washington Monument, the Lincoln Memorial, the Jefferson Memorial, the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, and many others. Each advisory group had a choice of which museums and monuments they wanted to visit, and most of the groups chose to see the Holocaust Memorial Museum. In Global History II, the tenth graders have been learning about World War II and the Holocaust in depth, and having the chance to visit the Holocaust Memorial Museum was a great opportunity for the students to expand their knowledge and reflect on what they had learned.
When the students arrived in Washington D.C. in the morning, most advisory groups went to the Holocaust Memorial Museum first. Located on the National Mall, the museum is the United States’ official memorial to the Holocaust, and it is dedicated to the documentation, study, and interpretation of the Holocaust. Since its opening in 1993, the museum has had over 50 million visitors, and it continues to encourage citizens and leaders worldwide to oppose antisemitism and hatred and prevent genocide. The museum’s primary mission is to advance and spread knowledge about the Holocaust and to preserve the memory of the victims of this tragedy. The main feature of the museum is a permanent exhibition, named The Holocaust, that spans three floors. It provides a chronological narration of the Holocaust using pictures, artifacts, and film. Personal objects belonging to survivors, as well as their testimonies, are also shown. The tenth graders were able to explore this exhibition and spend time learning specific details about the Holocaust that they may not have been taught during history class. They were also able to visit the Hall of Remembrance, and spend time reflecting on what they had learned.
Next, the students visited other museums, or walked through memorials and monuments. One of the main monuments that was visited was the Washington Monument. Standing 555 feet tall, the Washington Monument was constructed in 1848, and completed in 1884. It was built in two phases due to funding shortages and the civil war. It stands as a tribute to George Washington, the first president of the United States, and a testament to his leadership. Its base is surrounded by fifty flags that represent the fifty states. Right in front of the monument is the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, designed to create a dramatic, mirrored reflection of both the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial. The pool was added to provide a sense of calm and beauty, and holds roughly 4 million gallons of water. There are paved walking paths directly around the base. A lot of the advisories were able to walk around the Washington Monument, and next to the pool. Students and advisors were able to admire the sights and learn about the history of it, while also having their own conversations with their friends. Additionally, it was a very pleasant day, so walking outside was enjoyable.
Overall, the tenth grade’s trip to Washington D.C. was a great experience that allowed for education and bonding between students. They were able to visit monuments, memorials, and museums that they hadn’t seen before, and spend time with their advisories throughout the day. It was truly a day to remember.
