When it comes to handsignals (and colonialism) rock always beats scissors.

A gorgeous mural outside a beloved D.C. restaurant pays homage to famous Black Americans.

This unique museum cafeteria showcases the history and regional diversity of African American cuisine.

The oldest building in the District of Columbia was preserved because of a mistaken connection to George Washington.

A hoard of sky catalogs, astrophysical journals, even the works of Galileo and Copernicus.

D.C.'s first central library was born out of a chance encounter with the philanthropist whose name it bears.

Rumor has it the uncarved lump behind the three famous suffragists is reserved for the first woman president.

Home to a vast and influential collection of Shakespeareana.

The first purpose-built art gallery in the United States is once again open as a center of craft arts.

The famous abolitionist’s preserved estate is one of Washington's finest monuments to its great Black citizens.

A nostalgic bibliographic gem.

The national park was once a plantation estate.

This stunning blue and gold room changed cities twice before becoming part of the Smithsonian.

People escaping slavery may have hidden inside a corpse vault.

A hidden gem on the lawn of the U.S. Capitol Building designed by landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted.

A wondrous old library overlooking the nation's capital.

With over 100 jam-packed rooms to explore plus elaborate tea services and events, the Mansion on O Street is a hidden treasure.

Home to items never before seen by the public.

Franciscan monks created a facsimile of the Holy Land for North Americans who couldn’t afford the trip overseas.

The site of the climactic scene from the classic horror film is now a historic landmark.

Western New York's largest independent bookstore doubles as a historical repository of all things Niagara Falls.

Its original statue was deemed so ugly, locals called it “Scary Lucy.”

Oldest existing church in New York and the inspiration for Washington Irving's "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow."

The real-life site of Ichabod Crane's infamous gourd attack.