Ballou HS Rocks the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
Photo of the Day: November 27, 2009
Morning Roundup: Black Friday Edition
Caps Thankful for Varly in 2-0 Win
Thanks to This Week's Advertisers
On Wednesday, the bicentennial of President Lincoln's birthday, Ford's Theater celebrated its grand re-opening after having been closed for a significant renovation and restoration project since June 2007. As Paul Tetreault, the theater’s director, explains in the video below, many of the changes aren't entirely obvious, as many objects were carefully restored to their original luster from 1865, the year Lincoln was assassinated. However the theater also boasts new seats (a change we understand patrons will be especially thankful for), a renovated lobby and restrooms, and a new gift shop. With the nearly $50 million they've raised, the venue will eventually include a museum and Lincoln education center. Last night they christened the new stage with a special event, including the presentation of the Lincoln Medal to Sidney Poitier and George Lucas.
DCist photographer Meaghan Gay was at the theater for the ribbon cutting ceremony in the morning, attended by Mayor Adrian Fenty, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar and others. In the evening, famous faces such as Poitier, James Earl Jones, Kelsey Grammer and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi were seen walking down the red carpet. President Barack Obama also attended the event, but did not participate in any publicity.
add to stumble upon
add to reddit
tweet this
post to facebook
It's interesting that the video claims that Ford's is the "most visited site off of the mall in Washington, DC." I find it hard to believe that the National Cathedral, the Zoo, Kennedy Center, and White House get less visitors than Fords Theater.
Is it just me or does the new marquee bear a striking resemblance to Whole Foods?
it's not just you
I believe it...the Cathedral and Zoo are at the top of hills that tourists dread climbing in the middle of July, the Kennedy Center is too expensive for most tourists (and they don't know that you can just walk around for free), and the White House is completely off limits, I'm sure they are not including the number of people that walk by the front or back.
That and we Americans have a fixation for all things morbid and presidential...put the two together and people will flock to it in droves.
Same reason why so many people flock to Buffalo, NY
the wax figure of elaine chao looks so life-like!
Elaine Chao has the same scary dazed/crazed look in her eyes as Laura Bush!
Kelsey Grammar such a smile! Imagine the man who spoke at your graduation looking so wonderful and you got the picture. He was only a silhouette to us in the stands that day. Congratulations on a great group of pictures.
I see Kelsey Grammer was there to represent B-list conservative Hollywood. I'm surprised he wasn't too embarrased to show his face after appearing in that horrible film An American Carol.
I see they have picked Lincoln...now who will play Booth?