Southern Maryland has changed signficantly since 1634. Despite the inevitable change brought by the passage of time and growth of the region, the ideals, values and traditions upon which Maryland was built still echo throughout Calvert, Charles and St. Mary's counties.

When you first arrive in Southern Maryland you might be surprised at the strong sense of history that surrounds you. Wherever you go you'll find more than monuments - you'll feel a presence, a proud identity with the birth of American independence. Give yourself time. You can't see it all in a day. With time and a little patience, you'll discover what is one of the most exciting places in the world.

Ours is a cornucopia of recreational, cultural and travel opportunities within many different areas. Explore the rich history and strong sense of heritage. Discover what so many have come to find as a state and a region with something for everyone.

The story of the great state of Maryland began in Southern Maryland when the first 140 settlers arrived at St. Clement's Island March 25, 1634. They came with a sacred purpose - to build a new society founded on the principles of religious tolerance, separation of church and state, equal justice and representative government - revolutionary ideas in their time. Their principles took root and flourished in the land they called Maryland and became an enduring legacy of freedom to the generations of Americans who would follow. These first Maryland settlers established a permanent colony at St. Mary's City. St. Mary's County, site of Naval Air Station Patuxent River, was established in 1637, Calvert County in 1654 and Charles County in 1658.

Southern Maryland has changed significantly since 1634. Despite the inevitable changes brought by the passage of time and growth of the region, the ideals, values and traditions upon which Maryland was built still echo throughout Calvert, Charles and St. Mary's counties.

There is a pleasant surprise waiting for you in Southern Maryland today - a beautiful land nestled between the Potomac River and the western shore of the Chesapeake Bay. The region, home to a quarter of a million people, is made up of 1,000 square miles of land captured within 700 miles of pristine shoreline.

Southern Maryland has so very much to offer its residents and guests. If you care to step back in time, embark for St. Clement's Island, the landing site of those first Maryland colonists, or tour Historic St. Mary's City, England's fourth permanent settlement in America and Maryland's first capital. Tour the home of Dr. Samuel A. Mudd, who set the broken leg of John Wilkes Booth, President Lincoln's assassin, or stroll through the region's beautiful manor homes such as Sotterley Mansion, built in 1717, or Smallwood's Retreat, home of Revolutionary War General William Smallwood. Attend worship services at one of the region's historical churches such as St. Francis Xavier in Newtown, St. Ignatius Church at Chapel Point, or Middleham Church, in the oldest cruciform designed church in Maryland.

Explore the Calvert Marine Museum in Solomons, just minutes from Naval Recreation Center Solomons, and learn more about southern Maryland's maritime history and pre-history, when ancient seas covered the entire region. Roam the site of Port Tobacco, an important center for the colony's tobacco trade near La Plata, or discover the tools of American Indians who settled Maryland thousands of years before the first Europeans arrived, at the Jefferson Patterson Park and St. Clement's Island-Potomac Museum.

If you long for the serenity of sailing, set a course for the Chesapeake Bay, the Potomac, or the Patuxent rivers.

If you enjoy the challenge of fishing, cast your line into southern Maryland's water and land a catch of rockfish, white perch, pike, large mouth bass or flounder. Dangle your bait from a local pier and net a bushel of crabs, or go out with one of our charter boat captains and pull in the famous rockfish or "big blues."

If you search for an adventure of the mind, enter the realm of the towering bald cypress trees at Battle Creek Cypress Swamp Sanctuary near Prince Frederick, or hike to the majestic Calvert Cliffs, one of the richest deposits of marine fossils in the Eastern United States. Watch a dazzling show of precision flying and aerial acrobatics at the Air Expo held every other year at Naval Air Station Patuxent River.

If you dream of savoring a "taste of southern Maryland," attend the annual St. Mary's County Oyster Festival at the county fairgrounds, visit the lively open-air cafes on Solomons Island, take your family to a crab feast at Popes Creek, or try a traditional Southern Maryland dish like stuffed ham, oysters or spicy crab soup at one of our many fine restaurants.

Southern Maryland's hospitality may be found in abundance throughout Calvert, Charles and St. Mary's counties. Welcome to Southern Maryland.

St. Mary's County
On March 25, 1634, 140 English settlers landed their two small ships, the Dove and the Ark, near a small island they sighted as they sailed up the Potomac River. Led by Governor Leonard Calvert, the land was taken in possession in the name of his brother, Lord Baltimore. Father Andrew White offered the first Roman Catholic mass in the English Colony.

The tiny frontier village these men and women established was named St. Mary's. The Catholic Calverts began the settlement, which later became capital of the area, on deeply seated principles of religious toleration between Catholics and Protestants. This policy, formally adopted in 1649 with the passage of the Toleration Act, set the standard for many of the colonies and eventually for the U.S. Constitution.

In 1695 the capital of Maryland was moved to Annapolis. St. Mary's, which had boomed as the seat of government, became farmland. Today, archeological digs are common to discover more of the natural as well as social history of the area.

During the Revolutionary War, the men of St. Mary's County played an active role in many battles. Point Lookout served as an observation point to watch British activities in the Chesapeake Bay during the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812. The area was such a detriment to the British effort that during both wars British warships bombarded the coastline, forcing colonists to flee. During the latter part of the War of 1812, the British captured Point Lookout and used the area as a supply base for the invasion of Washington and the attempted capture of Baltimore.

Maryland remained a Union state during the Civil War. The Union Army established a hospital and a prison camp at Point Lookout. More than 52,000 Confederate prisoners of war were held during the war.

St. Mary's County suffered during the Depression along with the rest of the country. The self-sufficiency of the area allowed St. Mary's to fair slightly better than most other urban areas.

For more information on things to see and do in St. Mary's County, please visit www.stmarysmaryland.com/tourism or call 1-800-327-9023.

Things to See and Do
Maritime Heritage Festival
Set at picturesque St. Mary's City, this June event allows you explore 17th century ships, trade and travel through hands-on activities.

Potomac Jazz & Seafood Festival
This July event will have you enjoying an intimate evening of jazz music while you relax riverside on the grounds of the St. Clement's Island Museum.

LiL' Margaret's Bluegrass and Old Time Music Festival
This fun for the whole family event is held in August each year at the Goddard Family Farm in Leonardtown, and features bluegrass, old time country music and home cooked food.

St. Mary's County Fair
Come celebrate St. Mary's rural life and heritage at the annual fair held in September at the fairgrounds in Leonardtown.

Ghosts of Sotterley
Sotterley Plantation's past occupants come to pay a visit each year in October.

Annual Blessing of the Fleet
St. Clement's Island hosts this two-day event which offers entertainment, food, crafts and more. The boat parade and blessing are favorite highlights.

Southern Maryland Farm Life Festival
The Parlett Farm in Charlotte Hall hosts this event in October that has over 60,000 square feet of indoor exhibits.

Grand Militia Muster
Expect color competition and pageantry when the militia marches into St. Mary's City.

St. Mary's County Oyster Festival
Held the third weekend in October at the fairgrounds in Leonardtown, this event features the National Oyster Cook-off and National Shucking Championship.

Annual Veterans Day Parade
The annual Veterans Day Parade is held on Nov. 11 in historic downtown Leonardtown followed by a memorial ceremony and wreath pacing at the war monuments in the Town Square.

Christmas on the Square & Annual Tree Lighting
Holiday Entertainment featuring Santa's parade and lighting the town tree happen on the square in Leonardtown in late November.

Historic St. Mary's City
1-800-SMC-1634 or 240-895-4990
Historic St. Mary's City is a museum of history and archaeology that celebrates Maryland's first capital and the birthplace of religious freedom in British North America. Recreated structures in the town center, a tobacco plantation, an Indian hamlet, a tall ship, and costumed interpreters show visitors how the colonists lived. An exhibit in the Visitor Center describes Maryland's founding through artifacts found during more than a quarter-century of excavations at the siteóSt. Mary's City is one of the finest 17th-century archaeology sites in the United States. Informative signs are located throughout the grounds and an audio tour is available to rent.

Special events held throughout the year provide unique opportunities for visitors to work alongside archaeologists, explore the life ways and culture of the region's Native American peoples, and discover various facets of the colonial experience in Tidewater Maryland.

Historic St. Mary's City hours are seasonal, please contact the museum for details.

Piney Point Lighthouse Park & Museum
301-769-2222
Piney Point Lighthouse, the first permanent lighthouse constructed on the Potomac River, is the only one still in its original location accessible to the public in Southern Maryland. This six-acre park offers picnic areas and boardwalk with information on site history.

Point Lookout State Park
301-872-5688
Point Lookout State Park is located at the confluence of the Potomac River and the Chesapeake Bay. During the Civil War, the area of Point Lookout State Park was used as a hospital and prisoner-of-war camp. A federal and a state monument honor the more than 3,000 Confederate soldiers who died in the camp. Along with its historical displays, Point Lookout is also a great place for swimming, fishing, boating and camping.

Sotterley Plantation
301-373-2280
Sotterley Plantation, located on the banks of the Patuxent River, is an 18th century tidewater plantation. The plantation includes the Manor House, which is considered the most important example of tidewater post-in-ground architecture in the nation, several outbuildings and gardens.

St. Clement's Island - Potomac River Museum
301-769-2222
English settlers landed at St. Clement's Island on the Ark and the Dove March 25, 1634. Located on the mainland overlooking the island, the Potomac River Museum traces this historic journey.

Cecil's Old Mill
301-994-1510
Cecil's Mill was originally built as a cotton/textile factory then rebuilt into a grist and saw mill. The mill is now operated as a historic site and merchant shop where local artisans display handmade crafts and original art for sale.

Tudor Hall
301-475-2467
Historic Tudor Hall, circa 1756, houses a bookstore, research library, and historic gardens. Records and material collected by the St. Mary's County Historical Society are also stored in the Research Center at Tudor Hall.

Historic Leonardtown
Leonardtown is the county seat for St. Mary's County. Leonardtown is also home to the St. Mary's County Courthouse and is the center of government for St. Mary's County.

St. George's Episcopal Church
301-994-0585
On the National Register of Historic Places, St. George's Episcopal Church houses the oldest Parish in Maryland.

Patuxent River Naval Air Museum
301-863-7418
The Patuxent River Naval Air Museum, an official Navy Museum, is dedicated to telling the extraordinary story of the U.S. Navy's aviation research, development, testing and evaluation since 1911, and in particular since World War II.

The museum is a culmination of the vision and hard work of many Navy officials (civilian and military), local military organizations, county commissioners, community groups and aircraft company representatives who began the quest for this museum in 1974. Their dream was to preserve the history, describe the present, and project the future of Naval Aviation test and evaluation at Patuxent River.

The museum is one of 11 Navy museums in the country approved by the Secretary of the Navy. As a naval education facility, PRNAM is charged with preserving the heritage and interpreting the history of the science and technology of naval aviation by collecting, preserving and communicating that history to Navy service members and the public. The museum features interactive and hands-on displays that provide an understanding of the technical processes involved in naval aviation research, development, test & evaluation.

Among the exhibits is ëThe Great Model Collection,' some 1,300 aircraft models, including 18 wind tunnel test models such as the Convair XF2Y Sea Dart and the Grumman F9F Panther. Also exhibited is the history of flight helmet development, seven ejection seats, seven aircraft engines and the infamous ërubber airplane,' the Goodyear Inflatoplane. The Ex-Drone and the Pioneer, two contemporary unmanned aerial vehicle types used for reconnaissance during Operation Desert Storm and in Bosnia, are on display. Visitors can inspect and handle flight controls while seated in the procedures training cockpits of a McDonald Douglas F-4 Phantom II or a Vought A-7 Corsair II.

Outside, on static display, are 17 aircraft that may be viewed up close. These aircraft represent types tested at Pax River, and in some cases are actual test aircraft retired from service. Aircraft include the A-4 Skyhawk, RA-5C Vigilante, A-7 Corsair II, E-2B Hawkeye, F-6 Skyray, F-4 Phantom II, TH-IL Iroquois, H-53 Sea Stallion, S-2D Tracker, T-39D Sabreliner, A-6E Intruder, F/A-18 Hornet, AH-1J Seacobra, F-14A Tomcat, SH-2G Seasprite and the Lockheed Martin X-35C Joint Strike Fighter concept demonstrator.

Admission and parking are free. The museum is located on the northeast corner of NAS Patuxent River Gate 1 and MD Route 235. It is open six days a week from Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. This schedule is year-round except for Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's days. The museum gift shop is open during the same hours. Tours, meetings, reenlistment and retirement ceremonies may be scheduled by appointment. For information on joining the PRNAM Association, volunteering your time or scheduling events, call 301-863-7418. Visit the museum's Web site at http://www.paxmuseum.com.

Charles County
More than 335 years of history await you in Charles County. When Captain John Smith sailed up the Potomac River in 1608, he drew a map including the Indian Village of Potopaco, which later became popularly known as Port Tobacco. A major seaport from which tobacco was exported to Europe, Port Tobacco was colonized by the English and became one of the foremost settlements for miles around.

Settlements grew May 10, 1658, and Charles County was established. Reminders of these early days endure, as do remnants of our later history, which have been restored to their days of simpler living.

With 150 miles of shoreline, Charles County is a mecca for boat owners as well as fishermen and seafood lovers. Travelers stop here annually to fish, crab, swim, boat, camp and water ski. White perch, largemouth bass, yellow perch, catfish, spot and rockfish abound in our waters. Nature lovers will be captivated by the natural beauty of our many parks and forests.

Charles County is 18 miles south of the Nation's Capital. Visitors can enjoy day trips to Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Annapolis, Richmond and Williamsburg easily from Charles County. For more information, call the Charles County Community Services Tourism Division at (800) SO.MD.FUN or 301-645-0558.

Things to See and Do
African-American Heritage Society
301-843-0371
The African-American Heritage Museum depicts the life, history and contributions of African-American citizens from Charles County and Southern Maryland from 1658 to present.

Benedict
Benedict was invaded by British troops during the War of 1812 as they began their march to Washington, D.C. Today, fishing, sailing and seafood restaurants abound in Benedict, which is located on Route 231 between Hughesville and Prince Frederick.

Dr. Mudd House
301-645-6870; 301-274-9358
Dr. Mudd's house is where John Wilkes Booth went to have his broken leg set after he fatally shot President Lincoln in 1865. Guided tours and a gift shop are available.

Gilbert Run Park
301-932-1083
Visitors may hike, picnic and fish at this scenic 180-acre wooded parkland located on Route 6, seven miles east of La Plata. Guests may also rent various boats and canoes to enjoy the 60-acre fresh water lake at the park.

American Indian Cultural Center / Piscataway Indian Museum
301-782-7622
This museum educates visitors on the lives of Native Americans before European contact through exhibits reflecting their lives, arts and culture. The center also hosts an annual Pow-Wow.

Mount Carmel Monastery
301-934-1654
Established in 1790, Mount Carmel Monastery was the first monastery for women in Colonial America. Visitors may tour two of the original convent buildings.

Pope's Creek
Known for its homey atmosphere and good crab houses, Popes Creek, along the shores of the Potomac River, is a favorite stopover for lovers of Southern Maryland seafood.

Port Tobacco Courthouse
301-934-4313
Settled in 1634, Port Tobacco was at one time Maryland's second largest seaport. The Port Tobacco Courthouse is a reconstruction of the third structure that was built, and is furnished as a l9th century courtroom.

Port Tobacco One-Room School House
301-932-6064 or 301-934-8836
The Port Tobacco One-Room School House served Port Tobacco community from when it was built in 1876 until 1953. The school house has been restored and is furnished with items from its early years.

Smallwood State Park and Smallwood Retreat
301-743-7613
The 630-acre recreational area includes the restored home of Revolutionary War hero General William Smallwood and Sweden Point Marina with boat launching facilities. Picnicking and hiking are available.

St. Ignatius Church and Thomas Manor House
301-934-8245
Rev. Andrew White, who accompanied Catholic settlers to Maryland in 1934, founded St. Ignatius in 1641. St. Ignatius is the nation's oldest active parish with a continual pastorate. The church commands a majestic view of the Port Tobacco River from Chapel Point.

Thomas Stone National Historic Site
301-392-1776
This plantation, called Habre de Venture, was owned by Thomas Stone, a well-respected lawyer who voted for and signed the Declaration of Independence. Stone and his wife are buried on site. Self-guided hiking and birding trails are available at the site.

Zekiah Swamp
301-645-0540
The 20-mile long, three-fourth-mile-wide wooded bottomland swamp originates near Cedarville Natural Resource Center, and flows through the county to the main headwaters of the Wicomico River.

Christ Church, William and Mary Parish
301-259-4327
William and Mary Parish dates from the 1692 Act of the Maryland General Assembly establishing Protestant parishes throughout the state. The church still uses its Queen Anne communion silver today.

Calvert County
Calvert County's earliest settlers were members of the Piscataway nation. Native tribes established villages along the Patuxent River where they grew corn and tobacco on rich farmlands.

Captain John Smith is the first European known to have seen the peninsula. In 1608 during his exploration of the Chesapeake Bay, he wrote, it was "a fruitful and delightsome land...amply populated with wolves, bears, deer and other wild beasts as well as generally friendly natives."

Calvert County was established July 3, 1654 by Lord Baltimore and was closely tied to political activities in England. When the Puritans were driven out of Virginia, some of them, under the leadership of Richard Preston, settled in Calvert County. His home was the site of the first assembly held in Maryland. Here in 1655, an armed band of Governor Stone's men from St. Mary's took the Puritans by surprise and seized papers and documents that had been taken from St. Mary's by the Puritans. The Great Seal of Maryland was lost in this raid and has never been recovered. It is believed to be buried in the garden or hidden in the walls of the old house.

The time between the Revolutionary War and the Second War with England in 1812 was a time of uneventful growth in Calvert County. The plantation system developed, and much of the cultural, social and political life of the county was tied to this structure. In 1914 one of the most famous naval engagements in Maryland history took place in the Patuxent River. During this time, the British put ashore many raiding parties that pillaged, burned and destroyed many of the old plantation homes, tobacco warehouses and public buildings, including the courthouse. When the Civil War erupted, Calvert County was inclined to side with the southerners. At the end of the war, profound changes touched the county way of life, bringing almost to a standstill the agricultural practices which had provided a gracious living for the landowners. It was then that the economy of the county turned to the produce of the water. In 1865 Captain Isaac Solomon established a commercial fishery and cannery in the southernmost part of the county on an underdeveloped island, which immediately became known as Solomons Island.

The quiet life of Calvert County continued into the 20th century, disrupted by the outbreak of the First World War in which many county men were lost. The period following World War I saw growth and improvements within the county. The Second World War brought a real turning point in Calvert County history, when Solomons became a training site for the Navy and Marines.

Growth and change has followed and the county looks to the future with confidence.

Things to See and Do
The Academy of Natural Sciences' Estuarine Research Center
410-586-9700
For more than 30 years, the academy has explored the interrelationships between aquatic ecosystems and human activities on the Patuxent River. Located on the grounds of Jefferson Patterson Park and Museum, the facility includes County BayScapes landscapes and changing art exhibits.

American Chestnut Land Trust
410-586-1570
Nature trails run throughout the watershed of Parker's Creek and Governor's Run which features organized bird, flower and tree hikes. An experimental chestnut arboretum and historic structures are also on site

Annmarie Garden
410-326-4640
Located on St. John's Creek, three miles north of Solomons, this is a world-class sculpture garden in the making. Contemporary sculpture and the natural landscape contribute to reflection and the appreciation of art and nature.

Battle Creek Cypress Swamp Sanctuary
410-535-5327
This 100-acre nature sanctuary contains the northernmost naturally occurring stand of bald cypress trees. There is an elevated boardwalk through the swamp and a nature center with natural history exhibits.

Breezy Point Beach and Campground
410-535-0259
A bay-front park featuring swimming, fishing, picnicking and camping. Breezy Point is the perfect getaway to spend the day exploring the beach and hunting for fossils.

Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant Visitors Center
The visitors' center contains exhibits and displays which trace the history of Calvert County and the development of nuclear power. From the overlook, visitors may view the Chesapeake Bay and the Baltimore Gas and Electric Power Plant.

Calvert Cliffs State Park
301-743-7613 ext. 208
A hike through the park's 1,400 wooded acres ends at the Calvert Cliffs where visitors may hunt for fossils. The park is ideal for hiking, fishing and picnicking.

Calvert Marine Museum
410-326-2042
The museum has exhibits on local maritime history, the paleontology of Calvert Cliffs and the estuarine biology of the Patuxent River and the Chesapeake Bay. Added attractions include the Drum Point Lighthouse, authentically preserved, and the Lore Oyster House. The museum''s historic bugeye, "Wm. B. Tennison," offers cruises of Solomons Harbor and the Patuxent River during summer months.

Chesapeake Beach Railway Museum
410-257-3892
Housed in the only remaining station of the Chesapeake Beach Railway Company, this museum portrays the early history of the railway company and amusement park through a collection of historical photos and artifacts.

Flag Ponds Nature Park
410-586-1477
Contained within this 327-acre park are wooded uplands, ponds, swamps, freshwater marshes, sandy beaches and the Chesapeake Bay. Special facilities include trails, a pond observation deck, picnic sites, a fishing pier and beach where swimming and fossil hunting is permitted.

Jefferson Patterson Park and Museum
410-586-8500
This state park and museum is a 550-acre working farm that includes significant archeological, historical, environmental and scenic features. An archeological museum, farm exhibits, nature trails and picnic facilities are available.

One-Room Schoolhouse
410-586-0482
"Port Republic School Number 7" was originally built more than 100 years ago and is filled with authentic memorabilia and furnishings.

Calvert County Department of Economic Development at 410-535-4583 or 800-331-9771

For more information about Calvert County attractions and a free "Calendar of Events" listing events and festivals occurring throughout the year, call or visit http://www.co.cal.md.us/cced.

Annapolis
Originally founded in 1649 by Puritan families from Virginia, Annapolis has grown to become an impressive example of life and architecture of the pre-Revolutionary period. Annapolis is known as having one of the highest concentrations of 18th century buildings in the United States.

Things to See and Do
U.S. Naval Academy
Founded in 1845 by George Bancroft, then Secretary of the Navy, the U.S. Naval Academy occupies the site of old Fort Severn. The academy is the home of numerous relics and displays relating to maritime history. The Preble Hall museum houses displays of battle flags, weapons, ship models and statues. A special room in the museum is dedicated to the contributions of Navy astronauts.

"Commissioning Week" and graduation day are special times with colorful parades of students in full dress uniforms. The academy is located at King George and Randall streets in Annapolis.

State House
410-974-3400
This is the oldest state capital in continuous legislative use and the only one in which Congress met. The State House served as capital of the United States from Nov. 26, 1783, to Aug. 13, 1784. It was in the Old Senate Chamber that General Washington resigned as Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army. The State House is located on State Circle in Annapolis.

Baltimore
Founded in 1729 by an act of the Provincial Assembly, Baltimore was incorporated in 1797. During the War of 1812 when the British successfully attacked the city, Fort McHenry in Baltimore Harbor served as the inspiration to young Francis Scott Key who wrote "The Star-Spangled Banner." Today, Baltimore is a cosmopolitan economic and educational center of the state.

Babe Ruth Birthplace
410-727-1539
Furnished just as the "Sultan of Swat" left it as a boy, the four adjoining row houses at 216 Emory Street in Baltimore include his birthplace. Photographs and memorabilia, and a computer-operated figure of the Babe greets visitors.

Baltimore Museum of Art
410-396-6001
The museum features painting, sculptures, furniture and silver from the 18th through the 19th century and art from around the world. The museum is home to the Cone collection, one of the nation's most complete collections of prints and drawings. The museum is located on Art Museum Drive near North Charles and 31st streets.

Druid Hill Park
The park is the home to the Baltimore Zoo, an impressive collection of more than 1,200 birds, reptiles and mammals spread over 150 rolling acres. Druid Hill Park is reached via North Avenue and McCulloh Street.

Ft. McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine
Situated in the busy Baltimore Harbor, the 1814 bombardment of this fortress inspired Francis Scott Key, who was being held prisoner on a British warship nearby, to write our national anthem.

Inner Harbor
Baltimore's horseshoe-shaped Inner Harbor, formerly a neglected waterfront area, has blossomed through an ambitious restoration and redevelopment program. It is now a stunning year-round tourism and entertainment center featuring hotels, shopping, theaters, museums and other attractions.

For information about Baltimore's Fourth of July weekend at Inner Harbor, call 410-837-4636 or 877-225-8466. For numbers not listed or for more information, please contact the Tri-County Council for Southern Maryland at 301-274-1922.

District of Columbia
Rebuilt thrice from the rubble of war, Washington, D.C., is one of the most visited tourist destinations in the United States. Washington, D.C., is a healthy mixture of the old and new. Established businesses co-exist with the buildings of national government. Numerous recreational opportunities are available for visitors.

Things to See and Do
Corcoran Gallery of Art
Home to an extensive collection of American art, the Corcoran Gallery of Art also features visiting works from around the country and local artists and photographers. The Corcoran Gallery is located on 17th Street, between E Street and New York Avenue, N.W.

Ford's Theater
This is where, on April 14, 1865, President Lincoln was fatally shot by John Wilkes Booth. The theater has been restored to its appearance on the night of the assassination, including the Presidential box seat that visitors can enter. A Lincoln Museum in the basement of the theater houses artifacts from the murder including the clothing Lincoln wore that night, Booth's mysterious diary and the pistol with which he shot the President. Ford's Theater is located at 511 10th Street, N.W.

John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
The center offers domestic and international music, drama, dance and film presentations. The center presents avant-garde as well as classical performances. The center is located on New Hampshire Avenue, N.W.

National Air and Space Museum
Part of the Smithsonian, the museum is devoted to displays of air and space technology. Among famous aircraft displayed are the Wright brothers' plane, Lindberg's Spirit of St. Louis and Gen.Chuck Yeager's Glamorous Glennis.

U.S. Capitol
Based on the original architectural design by Dr. William Thornton, the U.S. Capitol is one of the Nation's most recognizable landmarks. Free tours take visitors through the Rotunda, Senate and House Chambers. Contact your legislators for tickets.

Vietnam Veterans' Memorial
V-shaped walls of polished black granite honor the men and women who served in the U.S. armed forces in the Vietnam War. The names of more than 58,000 American servicemen and women killed or who remain missing are listed on the walls chronologically by date of casualty. A life-size bronze statue of three Vietnam era soldiers stands near the wall. The Vietnam Veterans' Memorial is located across the street from the Lincoln Memorial in Constitution Gardens on the Mall.

The White House
Home to every President except George Washington, the design of the White House is based on a design by James Hoban. Antiques and original pieces from previous administrations decorate the mansion. The White House is located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. For the most up-to-date information about touring and visiting the White House, call the 24-hour Visitors Office Info Line at 202-456-7041.