Overview

Learn the history behind the re-building of the Capital City after the War of 1812. The destruction of Washington in 1814 by the invading British challenged President James Monroe & architect Benjamin Latrobe with the task of rebuilding the destroyed edifices of the city's public buildings. As symbols of the aspirations of the Republic, they had to be more than functional, they had to be beautiful. The building material they discovered and used to beautify the new Capitol was Potomac marble, which exists in abundance on both sides of the Potomac River, from Leesburg in Loudoun County, Virginia to Montgomery and Frederick Counties in Maryland. Local historian Paul Kreingold details Latrobe and Monroe's search for the ideal stone and their fight to use it to rebuild the chambers of the House and Senate.

Full Product Details

9781467153171

Table of Contents

Reviews

Kreingold details that little-known struggle and the process of reconstruction, before transitioning into a more technical, but quite accessible discussion of the stone itself. Kreingold uses his knowledge as a Master Naturalist to introduce you to some elementary geology, and some northern Virginia geography as well. You will enjoy his approach. But Kreingold's book is far from a dry geology lesson. He also explores the international brinkmanship, romance and political rivalries surrounding the decision to use the local stone for the capitol's famed columns.

Author Information

"Paul Kreingold is a thirty-seven-year resident of Leesburg, Virginia. He is currently the president of the Banshee Reeks Chapter of the Virginia Master Naturalists and the conservation director of the Izaak Walton League, Loudoun County Chapter. His interest in geology and history dates back to his college days, but after a long career in computer system design, he has devoted his time in the last five years to research and education. Besides public lectures throughout Loudoun, Montgomery and Frederick Counties, Mr. Kreingold regularly leads ""expeditions"" to the rediscovered Latrobe Potomac Marble Quarry along the beautiful Potomac River."

Tab Content 6

Customer Reviews

Recent Reviews

Countries Available