We presented "A Christmas Discovery" this year. It's a story of an archaeology class that uncovers a nativity scene and learns what it means. While it wasn't a newly published program, some of its lines felt very timely, which was why I chose it.
I thought the kids did a good job. They remembered lines where they needed to, and the entrances and exits of the readers went as smoothly as they could. They even sang out although they really hadn't during practices. All in all, it was a good night.
And now for something completely different ...
I said I'd ask about posting my column about my DC trip, and I was given permission. So, here's what I wrote for the Seward County Independent and any of our other papers that ran it.
by Stephanie Croston
scroston@sewardindependent.com
The ink is faded and barely legible on the Declaration of Independence. But you can still see the faint remains of John Hancock’s signature.
The Constitution is still readable, as is the Bill of Rights, although both are written in script that many people can’t make out any more as we’ve grown more accustomed to typed fonts.
The lights are dim in the Rotunda for the Charters of Freedom, preserving the 200-plus-year-old ink and paper, but they’re bright enough to see what you’re there for.
But all three documents are still available for people to look at. I’ve wanted to see them for some time and, on a Thanksgiving trip to Washington, D.C., I finally had the chance.
I was with a group of 15 other family members, including nine under the age of 13, so I didn’t get to spend as much time looking at these priceless artifacts as I really wanted to. I guess I’ll have to go back. But it’s a sacrifice I’m willing to make.
The three documents are housed at the National Archives. The museum doesn’t allow photographs, which makes sense because they’re so old. We waited for about 20 minutes to see these treasures. Even though the queue is pretty long, it does move quickly. The large group is divided into smaller groups so everyone has a chance to see. I thought that was a good idea. It definitely cuts down on the crowding in the Rotunda where the three pieces of American history are.
I tried to read some of the paragraphs, but I didn’t want to keep the other people waiting. So I kept moving, in awe of the thought, desire and determination that went into these documents.
One of the first documents we saw upon entering the National Archives, though, was even older. One of four original copies of the Magna Carta, yes, the very same Magna Carta you learned about in world history, is at the Archives.
This document, originally written in 1215, was revised over the years, and the copy on display is from 1297. It was written to protect the rights and property of the barons against King John, but two of its principles are included in the Constitution and Bill of Rights.
The Fifth Amendment, which says no one shall “be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law” stems directly from the Magna Carta.
How cool is that?
But the National Archives wasn’t the only place we visited during the few days we were there. We were able to tour the Capitol, which was also incredible. We started with a short video about the history of the Capitol and America, and I was startled to see a pair of familiar names on one of the old maps included in the film—Camden and Crete. I know! I almost jumped out of my chair.
The tour included the inside of the Capitol dome, which is full of scaffolds because it’s being restored. I was a little disappointed we couldn’t see the art any better, but I know work needs to be done to keep the building in good order.
We saw statutes of famous people from all 50 states. Nebraska is represented by William Jennings Bryan—not a bad choice.
We also went to the Library of Congress, another site on my list of places to see and now on my list of places to go back to. The artwork alone is worth the stop, and to see the reading room took my breath away. Although the chairs don’t look terribly comfortable, I really want to read there.
We buzzed quickly through the Natural History Museum at the Smithsonian and spent a few moments at the Air and Space Museum.
Of course, no trip to Washington, D.C., would be complete without visits to the National Mall. We’d hoped to get the chance to go inside the Washington Monument, but we didn’t get to the office in time to receive tickets. But we still saw it, the White House, the World War II Memorial and the Lincoln Memorial. We didn’t walk past the Vietnam Memorial or the Korean Memorial, but I’d seen them on previous visits.
It was a great trip and, since it was over Thanksgiving, it gave me a chance to reflect on the opportunities I have to live in this great country. The freedoms we were founded on are unmatched anywhere.
Plus, I got to spend a few days with family I don’t get to see very often. That was the true highlight of the trip. We were just missing one of my brothers and his family.
Our crew (16 is a bit more than a group, you know) got to have Thanksgiving dinner together and spent some time just hanging out, enjoying each others’ company. We did a lot of laughing and walking and walking…and walking.
But we were together. And for that, I am truly thankful.
