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Ourdoor murals painted on several garage doors in an alley.
© OpenStreetMap contributors
Hosts events throughout the year, including shows geared towards the public, as well as trade shows and conferences. The popular Washington Auto Show and the Washington Travel Show take place annually in late January and the National Book Festival occurs every September.
The DC History Center occupies the enormous building at the center of Mount Vernon Square and has a research library and exhibit on D.C. history open to the public. The building was constructed in 1903 with funding purely from Andrew Carnegie's philanthropy as the second headquarters of the D.C. Public Library. It also houses an Apple store.
A museum of language, linguistics, and literature, with 3 floors of interactive exhibits and displays. Fun for kids. The museum includes a separately-booked room of puzzle boxes, at varying levels of difficulty, that have the general flavor of an escape room.
Franklin Square was planned to be another city block until a natural spring was discovered there. With the federal buildings built nearby, the federal government wanted to use the spring water to supply water to its workers, and it was purchased in 1832 and kept as a park. The spring is no longer there, but the park remains. The statue on the west side of Franklin Square near McPherson Square Metro is of Commodore John Barry of the Revolutionary War-era Continental Navy and later the U.S. Navy, known today as the Father of the American Navy. The striking red building at the northeast corner of the square is the Franklin School, from which Alexander Graham Bell sent his first wireless message (to 1325 L St NW). The building is being converted into a language museum.
One of the oldest synagogues in DC, it was renovated in 2004 to become both a religious and entertainment venue. It hosts big-name theatrical and musical performances.
This is the only museum devoted to art made by women. Its special exhibits can be really interesting, often featuring works from a specific part of the world. The big, beautiful building is a historic former Masonic Temple. The gift shop is extraordinary, with a collection of very unique handmade gifts from around the world.