For some reason, in my head I’ve always imagined the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial in a kind of faceoff, vying for top dog position on the National Mall. Both commemorate presidents held in the highest esteem among the American people. Both are, in their own ways, big imposing monuments. But they are also very different from each other.
I wanted to write something about Appomattox Court House but I can’t do that without also bringing up the strange tale of Wilmer McLean, a man who often said that the Civil War started in his front yard and ended in his front parlor. And he was right!
From 2009 to 2013 I spent the summers working at Independence National Historical Park in Philadelphia. Partly because of this (and partly because my wife is from the area), Philly still holds a special place in my heart.
Dougie Does Monuments 