Freedom Plaza facts for kids
Freedom Plaza, first called Western Plaza, is an open public space in Northwest Washington, D.C., United States. It is located at the corner of 14th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue NW. It is right next to Pershing Park. The plaza has a special design on its surface that shows parts of Pierre (Peter) Charles L'Enfant's original plan for the city of Washington. The National Park Service takes care of the plaza as part of the Pennsylvania Avenue National Historic Site.
The John A. Wilson Building, where the D.C. government works, faces the plaza. So does the old National Theatre, which every U.S. president has visited since it opened in 1835. There are also three large hotels nearby.
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What You'll See at Freedom Plaza
The plaza's design was based on an idea by the architect Robert Venturi. Most of the plaza is made of stone and is raised above the street. On its surface, you can see a map of Pierre (Peter) Charles L'Enfant's plan for Washington, D.C. This map is made with dark and light marble.
Brass lines on the ground show where the White House and the Capitol are located. You can also find quotes about the city from famous visitors and people who lived there. These quotes are carved into the marble. The plaza has granite walls around its edges, with planted urns placed at different spots. A fountain with granite walls flows in the western part of the plaza.
Near the entrance of the District Building, there are flagpoles flying the flags of the District of Columbia and the United States. The plaza also has a metal plaque with the Great Seal of the United States. This plaque explains the history and meaning of the seal.
A Look Back at Freedom Plaza's History
"Western Plaza" was built by the Pennsylvania Avenue Development Corporation. It was officially opened on November 1, 1980. The plaza was renamed "Freedom Plaza" in 1988. This was done to honor Martin Luther King Jr., who worked on his famous "I Have a Dream" speech in the nearby Willard Hotel. In that same year, a time capsule was buried at the site. It holds a Bible, a robe, and other items connected to Dr. King. This capsule is planned to be opened in 2088.
What Happens at Freedom Plaza
Freedom Plaza is a popular spot for public gatherings and events. In 2011, it was one of the places where a protest called "Occupy DC" took place. On July 17, 2020, the plaza hosted interesting displays, like living statues that appeared for a short time.
On November 14, 2020, many supporters of President Trump gathered in and around Freedom Plaza. They were there for events like the "Million MAGA March". These groups wanted to express their views about the results of the November 3 presidential election. Later, other groups came to express different views, and there were confrontations. Similar events happened again on December 12.
The plaza is also a popular place for skateboarding. However, skateboarding is not allowed there. This activity has caused damage to parts of the plaza, like sculptures, walls, and benches. It is a challenge for law enforcement because some websites promote the plaza for skateboarding. Also, "No Skateboarding" signs have sometimes been removed.
Freedom Plaza is also mentioned in Dan Brown's 2009 novel The Lost Symbol.
How People See Freedom Plaza
In 2014, the American Planning Association noted that Freedom Plaza is a popular place for public events. However, a reporter from the Washington Business Journal said that "the concrete expanse across from the John A. Wilson Building was not well planned." Many people think the site could have been designed better.
Images for kids
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Looking southeast across Freedom Plaza towards Pennsylvania Avenue and the Old Post Office Building, with the United States Capitol in the background.
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A plaque at Western Plaza describing its history and features, including the L'Enfant Plan. The plaque's drawing shows where the plaza's main parts are.
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An oval with the title of the L'Enfant Plan, followed by "By Peter Charles L'Enfant," inlaid in Freedom Plaza.
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The reverse side of the Great Seal, shown on a plaque at Freedom Plaza.
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The General Casimer Pułaski statue in Freedom Plaza.
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A floor plan of the Capitol Building inlaid in Freedom Plaza.
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A floor plan of the White House inlaid in Freedom Plaza.
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A view of Freedom Plaza at dusk, looking northwest.
