Photoessay 1937 - 1997 Library of Congress

When Ilana was 11, we made an impulse trip to Washington DC. We certainly were not in a financial situation to do it. But Ilana started coming home from school saying "If I went to Washington DC, I would go to the Washington Monument. If I went to Washington DC, I would go to the Smithsonian." Obviously they were studying this in school and she was really interested.

So I blurted out "Let's GO to Washington DC!" So we did. Just Ilana and I. I think we were there for 3 or 4 days. We had so much fun planning it. She was so into it. I called our legislators and got some 'special passes'. We stayed with my cousin June and her husband who toured us around. Ilana loved all the sites. I realized that with Susanna, we could go to maybe one thing and the rest of the time would be spent in the neighborhood pool.

Here we are getting a 'special tour' at the Library of Congress. I think she looks like she was truly enjoying this. She's wearing my red sweater, it was kind of chilly.

We went everywhere, took a bus tour the first day. There was a large African American bus driver named Dave. He made it very clear that we belonged to him and we would do what he said. He did not intend to lose any tourists. At each stop, Dave told us when we had to get back. And you better not be late because then Dave would come searching for you and you would not like that. He made us all say in unison before each stop "My bus is number 36 and my bus drive's name is Dave." We loved it.

My cousin June's husband, Eric had been the counsel for the Senate Judiciary Committee and we wandered around freely (pre 911 days). He introduced us to the current staff and showed us the ice cream place in the basement where the staffers got treats. We went into an empty conference room; the microphone was on. I remember he went to the front and said in a very professional voice "Now Mr. Chairman, from the state of Washington, I present Ms. Ilana Barnes." Ilana squealed and ran out of the room.

A great trip; I'm glad we did it.

At the Library of Congress. The print a little worse for wear from being on my wall.