The nation’s capital will host a series of memorial events this week for President George H.W. Bush. The 41st president died on Friday at the age of 94 at his home in Houston, Tex.
A joint task force of about 4,000 military and civilian personnel in the national capital region is in charge of organizing the week’s events, which include a state funeral at National Cathedral on Wednesday. The last time the task force was activated was in 2007 following the death of the 38th President, Gerald R. Ford.
Here is a schedule of this week’s events and instructions on how to join (or avoid) the crowds. The Joint Task Force’s full schedule is available here.
Monday: Joint Base Andrews to the Capitol Rotunda
The following two roads shut down Monday morning and will remain closed until Wednesday, Dec. 5 at midnight:
– East Capitol Street from Second Street NE/SE to First Street NE/SE
– First Street from Constitution Avenue NE to Independence Avenue SE
3:15 p.m.: The casket bearing the late president’s remains will leave Joint Base Andrews in Prince George’s County in the President’s motorcade. Expect major traffic delays and surrounding side street closures as it makes its way to the U.S. Capitol Building. The motorcade will travel the following route:
– Depart Joint Base Andrews through the Maryland Gate
– Cross Allentown Road onto Forestville Road
– Left on Suitland Parkway
– Right on Firth Sterling Avenue SE
– Merge onto I-295/695/395 North
– Take the Washington Avenue SW exit and take a left on Independence Avenue SW
– Right on 3rd Street SW
– Right on Constitution Avenue NW
– Right on Delaware Avenue NE, then arrive at U.S. Capitol
4:45 p.m.: An arrival ceremony will take place in the Capitol Rotunda.
5 p.m.: Members of Congress will pay their respects during a short service.
7:30 p.m.: President Bush’s remains will lie in state in the Rotunda until Wednesday morning. A guard of honor will always be in attendance.
Tuesday: Capitol Rotunda
People who want to pay their respect to the President must enter through the Capitol Visitor Center. Capitol Police have urged visitors to bring as few items as possible with them to avoid congestion during the security screening process.
All cell phones and electronic devices have to be turned off inside the Capitol. Photography and recording are not allowed in the Rotunda. Bags must be smaller than 18 inches wide, 14 inches high, and 8.5 inches deep.
Wednesday: Funeral Service at National Cathedral
All day: President Donald Trump ordered all federal offices to be closed on Wednesday for a national day of mourning. Expect emergency “no parking” restrictions in certain areas around the Capitol and National Cathedral throughout the day.
8:45 a.m.: The President’s remains will lie in state in the Capitol Rotunda until this time.
10 a.m.: President Bush’s remains will depart the Capitol for Washington National Cathedral. Road closures along the route will last from 9:15 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Expect the motorcade to travel the following route:
– Depart the U.S. Capitol via Delaware Avenue NE
– Left on Constitution Avenue NW
– Right on Pennsylvania Avenue NW
– Right on 15th Street NW
– Left on Pennsylvania Avenue NW
– Right on 22nd Street NW
– Left on Massachusetts Avenue NW
– Right on Wisconsin Avenue NW
– Right to enter the National Cathedral grounds
11 a.m.: The President’s funeral service at National Cathedral is invitation-only, though the public will be able to watch it live on most major networks. About 1,200 guests are expected to attend the service, including President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump.
Wednesday’s service will be led by the Most Rev. Michael Curry, Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church; the Right Rev. Mariann Edgar Budde, Episcopal Bishop of Washington; the Very Rev. Randy Hollerith, dean of Washington National Cathedral; and the Rev. Dr. Russell Levenson, Jr., rector of St. Martin’s Episcopal Church in Houston, Texas.
The Cathedral has hosted state funerals for three other presidents: Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1969, Ronald Reagan in 2004, and Gerald Ford in 2007. President Woodrow Wilson is also buried there; he’s the only U.S. President buried in Washington, D.C.
12:30 p.m.: The motorcade will depart the Cathedral.
1:15 p.m.: The motorcade will arrive at Joint Base Andrews (see expected route below). The President’s remains will then be flown to Ellington Field in Houston, Tex. in advance of Thursday’s funeral service and internment at the George Bush Presidential Library and Museum.
– Depart National Cathedral and take a left on Wisconsin Avenue NW
– Left on Massachusetts Avenue NW
– Right on Waterside Drive NW
– Merge onto Rock Creek Parkway
– Left on Virginia Avenue NW
– Left on Constitution Avenue NW
– Right on 17th Street NW
– Merge onto Independence Avenue SW
– Right on Maine Avenue SW
– Merge onto I-395/695/295 South
– Exit onto Suitland Parkway
– Right onto Forestville Road and cross Allentown Road
– Enter Joint Base Andrews through the Maryland Gate
Thursday: Business Resumes
10 a.m.: The Cathedral will not be open to visitors this week due to security requirements for the funeral services. It will reopen on Thursday morning.
5 p.m.: The Capitol Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony originally scheduled for Wednesday evening, but it has been rescheduled for Thursday.
Flags on all public buildings will fly at half-staff for the next month in honor of the former president.
This story was originally published on WAMU.
Mikaela Lefrak