Washingtonians at Work and Play | The George Washington University Museum and The Textile Museum

January 13-July 20, 2024

What did life look like for Washington’s 19th-century residents? Much like today, D.C. residents studied at universities, worked for government agencies, and enjoyed concerts, museums and national ceremonies unique to the capital city. Historical newspaper illustrations and other artifacts in this exhibition captured daily scenes of labor and leisure.

This exhibition was organized by the Albert H. Small Center for National Capital Area Studies with support from the Albert and Shirley Small Family Foundation.

An artwork depicting two people on a ladder painting the Capitol dome

Washington, D.C. – Painting the Dome of the Capitol, Frank Leslie’s Illustrated Newspaper, 1894, AS 393.

An historical artwork depicting two women with parasols and two dogs in a park

F. Myrick, Farragut Square Showing the Russian Legation Building, Samuel Smith Kilburn, 1890, AS 441.

An historical newspaper illustration composed of three scenes. The bottom one shows a group of women on a balcony looking out over a soldiers' camp at the foot of the Washington monument

Charles Upham, The National Military Drill on the Park South of the White House Ground, May 23-30, Washington, D.C., Frank Leslie’s Illustrated Newspaper, 1887, AS 385.

Charles Upham, Preparing for the Inauguration – Work House Prisoners Clearing East Capitol Street, Washington, D.C., Frank Leslie’s Illustrated Newspaper, 1889, AS 449.

Exhibition Program

A view of highways at night, with the Washington Monument in the distance

Uber and Urban Life in Washington

Friday, March 8, 12 p.m.