Last July 2010 I went to the USA for an extended vacation. After more than 4 weeks of shopping and eating in Virginia and DC it was time for a break. I went to Newseum, a museum dedicated to news and journalism.
The night before I did some research on their web site and found an excellent 2 hour highlights tour (download link) that showed me how to maximize my visit to Newseum.
I followed the guide and started at the concourse level. There were so many, many fascinating things to see in Newseum and these were just some of the ones that really caught my interest.
Actual sections of the Berlin wall were displayed. 
8 sections of the original wall
back of the walls
3 story East German guard tower
I took the huge glass elevator to level 6 to get the best view of the U.S. Capitol and the National Mall. 
world’s largest hydraulic elevator
U.S. Capitol
Pennsylvania Avenue Terrace
On this level front pages from newspapers around the world were displayed. For the Philippines there was the Philippine Daily Inquirer and the Manila Standard Today. 
front pages for Aug. 3, 2010
Next I walked down one level to the News History Gallery. 
News History Gallery
Important headlines through the decades were archived and presented here. There were also short films throughout the museum. 
There was a special Elvis exhibit when I was there. 
The receipt of the wedding ring Elvis bought for Priscilla was on display as well as his American Express credit card. 
The saddest exhibit was at Level 4 at the 911 gallery. Looking at all the pictures, newspaper headlines, films and remains brought tears to my eyes. 
This was a piece of the antenna above the north tower of the World Trade Center. 
The camera, lenses and press passes of a journalist who was killed was recovered. 
Level 3 – World News
truck used by Time photographers
Back at the concourse level was the actual cabin of Unabomber Ted Kaczynski. 
I finished Newseum in about 3 hours. After that I took a leisurely 14 block walk to meet my cousins for lunch. The blocks weren’t even in a straight path. I had to cross several long blocks. I didn’t mind though since the sights were very interesting. And yes I did some window shopping too. 
I just kept walking along Pennsylvania Ave. and followed the Google map I saved on my phone. I was surprised to see a part closed to vehicles. 
Still walking aimlessly when I came upon this. 
Hmm it looked familiar. 
It’s the White House! Silly me I didn’t even know I was going to pass the White House. It was a good bonus on my long walk since I’ve never had a photo opp there in all the times that I’ve been to DC. 
It didn’t look as big as on TV. 
Newseum
555 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W.
Washington, DC 20001
telephone: 888/NEWSEUM (888/639-7386)
Shoot First Eat Later 