#tbt - June, 1968

Ellen, 1968. Washington, D.C.

It was late June, 1968, Washington D.C. Mom, Dad and I were on a family trip to our nation's capital. It was muggy and hot. We stayed at the famous Watergate Hotel, which wasn't that famous yet. This was a few years before the Nixon-Watergate Scandal. 

Watergate Hotel

I remember visiting the White House and seeing President Johnson's Oval Office, visiting the many museums at the Smithsonian. We took side trips to Mount Vernon and Historic Williamsburg. I wanted to see the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg. The campus was so beautiful. I thought that this would be a great place to apply for college. It was a regular American history lesson, in person!

Mount Vernon

However, this was not the most favorable time for a family of tourists to visit Washington, D.C. This was the time of Resurrecton City and Poor People's Campaign events. There were tents and temporary shacks along the Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool. 

View of the Reflecting Pool from the Washington Monument with Resurrection City on the left. Photo from Jack Rottier Collection

Tents in Resurrection City, National Mall, Washington D.C., 1968

There was tear gas. I remember there being a curfew. We had to be back in our hotel early in the evening. We had a difficult time touring the Lincoln and Washington Memorials because of all the protesters on the National Mall.

This was a history lesson I will never forget.