US National Arboretum and National Capitol Columns

Located at 3501 New York Avenue NE in Washington, DC.  The US National Arboretum was established in 1927 by an Act of the United States Congress, and it contains 446 acres of  flora and fauna.  The U.S. National Arboretum also offers azalea blossoms.  The azalea blossoms usually peak at a different time than the blossoms found near the Tidal Basin, offering an additional opportunity to marvel at the beautiful trees and their scenic.

The National Capitol Columns is an arrangement of twenty-two Corinthian columns which were a part of the United States Capitol from 1828 to 1958, placed amid 20 acres (8.1 ha) of open meadow, known as the Ellipse Meadow.

The decoration in front of the columns reads (see photo):

These 22 Corinthian sandstone columns were among 24 that were part of the east central portico of the United States Capitol.  Architect Charles Bulfinch oversaw construction of the portico using a design handed down by his predecessors.  William Thornton and Benjamin Henry Latrobe.  Completed in 1826, these columns provided the backdrop for presidential inaugurations from 1829 (Andrew Jackson) to 1957 (Dwight Eisenhower), and were the site of many speeches, protests and rallies.

In 1958 the columns were dismantled to make way for the east front extension of the Capitol, which is adorned with marble reproductions.

Restoration of the columns was made possible through the efforts of Ethel Shields Garrett and support from the Friends of the National Arboretum.  Garden designer Russell Page selected and designed the new site which was completed and dedicated in 1990.