National Museum of the American Indian - Supreme Court

Up the hill and onto the bus to the Metro.  Another sunny day...but chilly and windy...nice Carolina blue sky though!

We're going to the National Museum of the American Indian today.  

The building was designed by a team of Native architects and consultants.  It is draped in Kasota limestone and is aligned to the cardinal directions and to the center point of the Capitol dome. (from brochure).

It's filled with wonderful sculptures.  This is Allies in War, Partners in Peace. 

original glass works...

masks and tribal treasures

A glass raven head with bead

ceremonial clothing...

Pre-Columbian Nicaraguan Pottery...

stunning masks...

 excellent tribal displays

many interactive activities too.

We had lunch at the Mitsitam Cafe.  It serves food inspired by Native dishes from five regions of the Western Hemisphere.  Excellent lunch right by the waterfall outside the window.  

Following lunch we headed up Capital Hill to 

the Supreme Court where we had an excellent no-pictures allowed tour.  The court was not in session so we actually got into the courtroom and got a full explanation of the room and the functions of the court.

but we could take pictures of the marvelous spiral staircase!   There are two of these and each ascends five stories and is supported only by overlapping steps and their extensions into the wall.  Fascinating!!

as are the carved bronze elevator doors.  Beautiful building.

And to Union Station once again to catch the Metro to Becky's.