Comments on: New Capitol Visitors Center rules restrict visitor access

By: Natalie

Natalie — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 23:09:25 +0000

Just made my first trip to DC and agree that the tour is awful. My husband and I successfully “walked up” and got a tour spot pretty easily though. They really run you through like cattle and don’t give you a chance to see everything. In the rotunda, for example, the guide rattles off what each painting is and then herds you into the next room without giving you a chance to see any of them other than the one your group is standing next to. When we got to statuary hall, we learned our lesson and made a marathon lap around the room to see all the statues while the guide gave her spiel before we were herded out.

The video is pretty sanitized, although we were able to pick out at least one unsanitary law. The video shows names of laws on the screen and they did have the Indian Removal Act. I was actually pretty shocked because I didn’t think they would put anything negative in there by the tone of the video to that point.

You are still required to visit your representative or senator’s office to get a gallery pass if you want to see either gallery. The folks that run the gallery viewing are not “redcoats.” They were really nice (our redcoat guide was nice also). They were very courteous and let us take our time, which was pretty calming compared to the tour.

By: EAL Brat

EAL Brat — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 15:46:27 +0000

Hmmm… why does this sound just like the “official” Disney world tours, where the tour guides wear one of the original Disney costumes: a plaid vest. They are known derisively throughout the Magic Kingdom as “The Plaids” and, not unlike The RedCoats, are a law unto themselves. Whoa…maybe they unfroze Walt to construct the new CVC. I smell “National Treasure 3″ in the making!

By: Michael

Michael — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 01:29:31 +0000

How sad we must have an appointment to visit something with which our ancestors fought so hard and died to protect and defend.

By: mindy

mindy — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 20:37:12 +0000

The Tour Guides wear red (almost burgundy blazers) and other staff wear the same color polo shirts…

The entire Visitors’ Center was an (over)reaction to 9/11. It had been planned for years at about 30% of the cost and half the size and then 9/11 happened and the thing just grew and grew and grew! And then for Security concerns (supposedly) the management of this new Visitors’ Center was given priority in setting rules over the Congress. Many of you may not know this, but the Bush Administration rammed through all sorts of security related spending in DC (this is just one project) – we’ve got bollards and barriers in front of just about every Federal building, and pop up road blocks all over the place – it really has changed the character of the neighborhood and not for the better. I’m not saying don’t have security, but they have gone overboard. here’s and example – they have installed these special sidewalks on Independence Avenue between 14th and 12th Streets – these sidewalks are really bumpy and they are extremely uncomfortable to walk/stnad on. They did this to discourage people from gathering there in large groups. To be honest, no one ever would gather there- there is nothing but the Agriculture Department on either side…no reason to protest or watch a parade there – it’s just stupid.

By: The man who notices things

The man who notices things — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 18:49:39 +0000

Wait – whose the boss here? Can’t Congress just pass a law exempting they and their staff from the rules imposed by the redcoats?

What is it about the Redcoats? I thought they surrendered at Yorktown?

By: mindy

mindy — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 16:11:10 +0000

Well I live here – just 6 blocks from the Capitol. Having enjoyed several tours done by Congressional Staff over the years, I was VERY disappointed by the “professional” tour I had in early February in the new Visitor’s Center. The Red Coats do know their stuff – unfortunately, they are giving a very “abbreviated” tour and they now restrict access to most of the Capitol where in years past you could pretty much get anywhere you want….

As someone who lives here – I am very disappointed with the exterior design – quite a few of the materials used do not go with those used on the Capitol itself and a HUGE chunk of the landscaped area is now gone – as are many of our glorious 100+ year old trees. The interior is a very, very large empty space – useful for catering events, but really if they hadn’t created that cavernous hall, they could have left more parkland outside and above!