Field Trip #34: Independence Day in Europe

This is a more generic field trip when it comes to the spirit of this blog. The National Cathedral is an amazing place which can transport you to another time and place...but to exactly where that would be could be up to you! It is built in the Neo-Gothic style that started in England in the 1740s which means that you could plan an architectural tour relating it to England but if you were more general and looked at architectural features like flying buttresses and gargoyles then you could tie this into a reading of the Hunchback of Notre Dame or almost any major European Capital.

If you add in a tour of the gardens then it might make more sense to fit this in to an English focus of study. The great thing about this place is that it also connects to medieval history too so imagine visiting the catacombs or taking photographs around the Cathedral to help with an in-class story book that you are making about life in medieval Europe. You could have a lot of fun with this place if you get out of the traditional tours or thinking that this is only a church.

If you wanted to make this a part of a specific trip to England then contact the British Embassy which is right down the street on Massachusetts Avenue and get a photo with Winston Churchill! This statue is outside of the embassy so you do not need a scheduled visit.

Back to the Cathedral...it is a beautiful place and should definitely be incorporated into a study of Europe/medieval history. They do ask for $5 for each visitor if given a formal tour but if you take a smaller group (10-15 students) and do not go on a formal tour you may be able to go for free. Just remember to always have plenty of chaperons, activities and that you have prepped students how to behave in a cathedral.

Contact Info:
Washington National Cathedral
Massachusetts and Wisconsin Avenues, NW
Washington, DC 20016-5098
Telephone: (202) 537-6200
Fax: (202) 364-6600
www.nationalcathedral.org

British Embassy
3100 Massachusetts Avenue Northwest
Washington, DC 20008
(202) 588-6500
ukinusa.fco.gov.uk/en/