'The National Mall, Part 1: Origins of America's Grand Civic Space' Webinar

Tickets: $18.88 - $34.70 (fees included) (includes access to the full replay for one week)

Click the link below to officially register for this experience:

https://www.nyadventureclub.com/event/1979221227972

What began as a patchwork of mudflats, pastureland, and lofty dreams has — over nearly 250 years — become the symbolic heart of the nation’s capital. How did an unfinished idea become one of the most iconic civic spaces in the world, reflecting a nation's evolving ideals through architecture, landscape, and memory? From radical visions to monumental acts of reinvention, it's time to uncover the story behind the National Mall — and what it was always meant to inspire.

Join New York Adventure Club for a two-part series tracing the evolution of the National Mall from a lofty vision to an enduring symbol of American ideals. In Part One: Origins of America's Grand Civic Space, we’ll explore how a patchwork of plans, politics, and perseverance turned a fledgling capital’s open space into a monumental landscape worthy of a new republic.

Led by Carolyn Muraskin, architectural historian and founder of DC Design Tours, this unique experience ranging from the 1790s through World War II will include:

• L’Enfant Plan — More than a city map, L’Enfant’s plan for a new capital was a radical and controversial vision of power, symbolism, and control, leaving behind alignments and intentions that still shape how we move through the city today.
• U.S. Capitol Building — Beneath its familiar dome lies a story of rival architects, competing redesigns, and architectural sleight of hand, revealing how the Capitol became a carefully staged symbol of both unity and tension.
• The White House — The world’s most iconic residence has been reshaped by fire, war, modernization, and ego. Behind its restrained façade are layers of reinvention, hidden infrastructure, and controversial — sometimes criminal — design decisions.
• Washington Monument — Towering over the Mall, this deceptively simple obelisk carries a complex story of interrupted construction, shifting styles, and 19th-century debates about how a young nation should memorialize its heroes.
• McMillan Plan — This sweeping redesign erased much of the Mall’s messy past, reasserting classical order and aligning monuments with the City Beautiful movement.
• DC’s Cherry Trees — More than a seasonal spectacle, the cherry trees represent an early act of cultural diplomacy and a deliberate use of landscape design to soften and humanize monumental space.
• Lincoln Memorial — Designed as a classical temple, the memorial’s architecture, orientation, and inscriptions were carefully calibrated, transforming it into both a shrine to Lincoln and a stage for American history.
• District of Columbia War Memorial — Often overlooked, this small domed memorial blends classical form with intimate scale, honoring local service while revealing how remembrance evolved after World War I.
• Thomas Jefferson Memorial — This memorial became a battleground between tradition and modernism, exposing deep anxieties about national identity and architectural change. Built during a global war and styled after ancient Rome.

Afterward, we'll have a Q&A with Carolyn — any and all questions are welcomed and encouraged!
Can't make it live? Don't worry, you'll have access to the full replay through one week after the entire series concludes.
See you there, virtually!

*Immediately upon registering, you will receive a separate, automated email containing the link to join this webinar
**For the best possible viewing experience, please ensure you're using the latest version of your internet browser
***A full replay of the experience will be available to all registered guests for up to a week after the series finale
****If the event has already passed, but it's been less than a week since the series finale, you can still register for it on our website's active replay section!

About Carolyn
Founder and Owner, DC Design Tours
Carolyn Muraskin founded DC Design Tours in 2015 to share her passion for Washington DC’s design through walking, driving, bike, boat and virtual tours that uncover the city’s architectural secrets and surprising stories. A University of Maryland architecture grad and former designer, Carolyn worked on projects ranging from historic restorations to mixed-use developments.
Carolyn and her team lead architecture-focused tours across DC’s diverse neighborhoods—including Embassy Row, Capitol Hill, U Street, Georgetown, and Anacostia—designed for curious visitors of all backgrounds and interests. She has collaborated with institutions like the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the Smithsonian and has appeared on the Discovery Channel. Carolyn lives in Northwest DC and has a serious passion for all things brick, mortar, and design.

The National Mall Series
Part 1: Origins of America's Grand Civic Space (Monday, January 26 @ 8:00pm ET)
Part 2: A Monumental Landscape Reimagined (Monday, February 2 @ 8:00pm ET)

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Categories: Virtual, Landmarks