Library of Congress Guided Tour
Explore the exterior architectural majesty of Union Station and the Supreme Court culminating in a tour of the Library of Congress.

Event Date

Saturday, November 9, 2019 at 2:15 PM

Event Address

Inside Union Station, Street Level, Main Hall at the entrance to the East Hall
50 Massachusetts Avenue, N.E.
Washington DC 20002

Requested Attire

Please dress according to the weather and wear comfortable shoes for walking. The event will be presented rain, shine, or snow.

Event Description

Join us for a special private tour of the exterior architecture of the eastern end of the National Mall, culminating in a guided tour of the interior of Library of Congress.

Imagine you had access to the world's largest library. Imagine what treasures lie in archives of tens of millions of books, manuscripts, audio recordings, films, sheet music and recordings, and maps dating back to the time of the Aztecs. But you don't have to imagine-it's all right here in DC at the Library of Congress!

Started from Thomas Jefferson's personal collection of books accumulated over his lifetime on philosophy, science, and literature, the Library of Congress has long been go-to resource for the most powerful lawmakers in America, and its doors are open to you. The library houses 162 million items, including the largest rare book collection in North America. But it is more than just a library! The Library of Congress is also a concert venue with recorded sound collections spanning jazz, American theater, folk, ethnic, and pop.

The library has commissioned hundreds of original musical works, including the Aaron Copland's masterpiece "Appalachian Spring."

Our walking tour begins with the exterior architecture of the Union Station, Supreme Court, and culminates in an interior tour of the Library of Congress. Don't miss this opportunity to explore the mysteries hidden in America's premier house of knowledge!

Please reserve your tickets early, as capacity is limited.

Event Agenda (May change)

Meet INSIDE the Union station in the Main Hall at the entrance to the East Hall at the designated time. We will leave Union Station 5 minutes (sharp!) afterwards. The entrance to the East Hall where we meet is marked with a red star on the map posted at the end of the ICDC Web site event description.

We will arrive at the Library of Congress together as a group after the walking tour from the Union Station. Please note that food, liquids, knives, lighters, and large bags are not allowed at the Library of Congress. Please note that the tour will start promptly on time and it is your responsibility to arrive at the designated meeting location by the designated time. We are unable to offer refunds if you arrive late and miss the group or you arrive at a location other than the meeting location designated below.

We Are Grateful for Your Support

We greatly appreciate your contribution towards the International Club of DC Inc by making your reservation. Your support makes it possible for us to present diverse cultural events to our members. Kindly note that your contribution is unrelated to the embassy or venue the event is being presented at and all proceeds from the event are used solely by International Club of DC Inc. to cover expenses related to presenting cultural events to our members.

Map/Parking

Please note, we will not be meeting at the Library of Congress! Instead, we will be meeting inside Union Station at the Main Hall near the entrance to the East Hall on the street level at the designated time. The meeting location is outlined with a red star on the map below. We will proceed as a group for the Library of Congress. Please arrive on time at the designated meeting location on time and note that we are unable to issue a refund and are not responsible for locating you if you arrive later or at a location other than the one outlined below.



Please note that the map is enclosed below as a courtesy to you and for your convenience but we do not guarantee the accuracy of the map or the directions provided by Google. It is your responsibly to arrive safely and on time at the address of the event disclosed above.

Parking is limited to street parking in the vicinity of the venue. Kindly note that, as is the case in most major cities, the availability of street parking in Washington DC is limited and beyond our control. Due to the limited availability of parking, we highly recommend a cab, Uber/Lyft or other transportation option. The event start at the designated time so please allow sufficient time for traffic/travel/transportation and parking as these factors are beyond our control.

Event Notes

About the Library of Congress: Established by an act of Congress in 1800 as reference library The Library of Congress was initially housed in the Capitol. After invading British troops had set the Capitol on fire and burnt the library, Thomas Jefferson offered his personal collection of books accumulated over his lifetime on philosophy, science, and literature for replacement. The Library of Congress has long been go-to resource for the most powerful lawmakers in America and for the public, and its doors are open to you. The library houses more than 162 million items on several sites, including the largest rare book collection in North America. But it is more than just a library! The Library of Congress is also a concert venue with recorded sound collections spanning jazz, American theater, folk, ethnic, and pop.

The library has commissioned hundreds of original musical works, including the Aaron Copland's masterpiece "Appalachian Spring."

The Library of Congress is the nation's oldest federal cultural institution and serves as the research arm of Congress. It is also the largest library in the world, with millions of books, recordings, photographs, maps and manuscripts in its collections.

Today's Library of Congress is an unparalleled world resource. The collection of more than 160 million items includes more than 37 million cataloged books and other print materials in some 470 languages; more than 69 million manuscripts; the largest rare book collection in North America; and the world's largest collection of legal materials, films, maps, sheet music and sound recordings.