Museums of Washington, DC: A Guide for Residents and Visitors

From majestic repositories lining the Washington Mall to the more modest museums of residential Washington, Alexandria, and suburban Maryland, the national capital region is teeming with exquisite art collections, must-see historic sites, and an eclectic array of cabinets of wonders, appealing equally to interests in classical painting or modern sculpture, Elizabethan drama or intaglio printing, free masonry or women's suffrage. Along with the well-known, such as the National Gallery and Air and Space Museum, this guide points out museums frequently overlooked and reminds both residents and visitors of the need to seek out collections tucked along Embassy Row, standing out in Old Town Alexandria, or trying to hold their own downtown. The Smithsonian Institution amazes with its vast holdings. The Interior Department captivates with its conservation of the past. And private establishments pique the curiosity with their passions for anything from the wiles of espionage, the intricacies of Russian decorative arts, or the memorabilia of colonial forebears. Whether you are vacationing, traveling for work, or simply getting to know your own city better, Museums of Washington, DC: A Guide for Residents and Visitors provides information on more than eighty museums in the greater metropolitan area, and is complete with maps, a general introduction, and tourist and transportation guides.