Washington Cathedral honors President Woodrow Wilson

In honor of the birth of President Woodrow Wilson (Dec. 28, 1856- Feb. 3, 1924), members of the U.S. Armed Forces assisted in a wreath-laying ceremony December 28, 2014 at the president's tomb at the Washington National Cathedral. President Wilson is the only U.S. president buried in Washington, D.C.  Here, the troops rehearse for the 10-minute ceremony which was attended by approximately 100 visitors and members of the Wilson family.  President Wilson is buried under the arch at the opposite end, between the two wreaths on the columns/Photo by Patricia Leslie

Members of the U.S. Armed Forces are ready Dec, 28, 2014 for the wreath-laying ceremony to honor the 158th birthday of President Woodrow Wilson, the 28th president of the United States/Photo by Patricia Leslie

The clergy arrive Dec, 28, 2014 for the wreath-laying ceremony at Washington National Cathedral in honor of the birthday of President Woodrow Wilson, the only U.S. president to earn a Ph.D.  The president's second wife, Edith, is also buried at the Cathedral.  His first wife, Ellen, is buried in a family plot in Rome, Georgia/Photo by Patricia Leslie

The Very Rev. Gary Hall, in white, said a short prayer at the wreath-laying ceremony at Washington National Cathedral to commemorate the December 28 birthday of President Woodrow Wilson/ At the end of the prayer, drums introduced "Taps," played by a trumpeter who stood, unseen, in the distance/Photo by Patricia Leslie

The clergy departs/Photo by Patricia Leslie

The wreath and floral tribute to President Woodrow Wilson whose birthday on December 28 is recognized every year at the Washington National Cathedral, according to a docent/Photo by Patricia Leslie

The card on the red, white, and blue bow is addressed to "The President."/Photo by Patricia Leslie

The angels herald President Woodrow Wilson's birthday on December 28 at Washington National Cathedral/Photo by Patricia Leslie

One of many 2014 creche scenes at Washington National Cathedral/Photo by Patricia Leslie

A Christmas floral display at Washington National Cathedral/Photo by Patricia Leslie

In a chapel to the west of the main altar at Washington National Cathedral/Photo by Patricia Leslie

The main altar at Washington National Cathedral/Photo by Patricia Leslie

The main altar and reredos at Washington National Cathedral/Photo by Patricia Leslie

At the altar in a chapel to the east of the main altar at Washington National Cathedral/Photo by Patricia Leslie 

The nation's first president, George Washington, stands to the right of the main entrance at Washington National Cathedral. President Washington wore a red Christmas carnation or rose in his lapel, and removed his hat in honor of President Wilson.  Lee Oscar Lawrie (1877-1963) was the sculptor/Photo by Patricia Leslie

 

 

What: Washington National Cathedral

 

When:  Open daily, Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Sunday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

 

Where: 3101 Wisconsin Avenue, N.W. , Washington, D.C. 20016

 

Admission:  No charge on Sundays.  Other days:  $10, adults; $6, students, seniors, active and retired military; free for children under age 5.

 

Free parking on Sundays

 

Metro stations:  Tenleytown, Dupont Circle, or Woodley Park, and take a bus from there.  See directions.

 

For more information:  202-537-6267

 

Extensive renovations and repairs underway, due to the August, 2011 earthquake.

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Washington Post's John Kelly responds to criticism

 

The stained-glass window at the Washington National Cathedral which honors General Stonewall Jackson/Wikimedia Commons  

 

The stained-glass window at the Washington National Cathedral which honors General Robert E. Lee/Wikimedia Commons

 

 

John Kelly isn't as placid as he comes across most days in his column in the Washington Post.

Here he is responding to criticism about his suggestion to add "some sort of sign" at the Washington National Cathedral to explain the presence of stained-glass windows devoted to Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson, windows Kelly labels "niches":

The fact is Lee and Jackson chose to take up arms against the country they had sworn to protect. Now, you may decide that this makes them men of honor. Fine. And you may believe that lots of people had slaves back then – the old, “Hey, everybody else is doing it” defense. Cling to your weird Lost Cause cult as tightly as you want. But don’t inflict it on the rest of us by having your womenfolk sneak overly pious memorials into Northern churches. (Emphasis added.)

The Washington National Cathedral is a "Northern" church?  It says "national" in the title.  Hmmm. 

Do you think Kelly would endorse "some sort of sign" at the Jefferson Memorial since Thomas Jefferson owned slaves, too? How about a sign at the Custis-Lee Mansion at Arlington National Cemetery where General Lee lived with his wife, Mary Custis Lee?

President George Washington owned slaves for most of his life.  Should signs be posted at the Washington Monument and at Mt. Vernon?  At Washington Circle?  Post notices of apology at entrances to Washington, D.C.? 

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Easter Flowers and Altars at Washington National Cathedral