WalkingBuddies.com

Information courtesy of National Park Service

The Old Post Office, in Washington D.C., is one of the few remaining examples of Richardsonian Romanesque Architecture. Built between 1892 and 1899, the structure is one of the most enduring landmarks in the city. The building’s 315 foot tower contains an observation deck and is home to the Bells of Congress, which were a present from England on our Bicentennial. From the observation deck, located 270 feet above the street level, the visitor can get a spectacular view of our nation’s capital. Because of these attributes, the building is considered by many to be the city’s “hidden treasure”. Park Map

ACCESSIBILITY:

All park areas are wheelchair accessible. Park media programs are close captioned for the hearing impaired.

ACTIVITIES:

Tours of the Old Post Office Tower provide visitors with the history of the building, a view of the city from the 270 foot observation deck, and the opportunity to view the interior workings of the Tower clock and the bells of Congress. Park rangers are available to answer questions and give interpretive programs upon request throughout the year. Educational programs are available for school groups upon request. Call or e-mail for types of educational programs and reservations.

FOR KIDS:
The Old Post office Tower Junior Ranger program is currently under revision.

NATURE & SCIENCE:
Overview - National Capital Parks-Central covers 1,004 acres and is situated along the eastern shore of the Potomac River, running north from the confluence of the Potomac and Anacostia Rivers. Although not predominately known for its natural resources, National Capital Parks-Central manages tens of thousands of trees, shrubs, and plants including the world famous Japanese cherry trees. The park also provides habitat for a surprisingly large variety of wildlife adaptable to urban conditions. These natural resources are significant in that they contribute to local and regional biodiversity, beautify the Nation’s Capital, and provide recreational open space areas for the city’s residents and visitors.

From an ecological perspective, the lands within the park’s boundaries are highly disturbed. Although living components within the park are controlled by their genetic code and life history requirements, primary natural phenomena as natural selection, plant succession, soil development, and nutrient and energy cycles either do not occur or are manifested in manners atypical of natural systems. Additionally, air and water pollution is extensive and unavoidable within the park. These factors, combined with the large number of visitors and the fragility of some vegetation, such as the nationally significant Japanese cherry trees, requires intensive and specialized management of the park’s natural resources.

Only recently has the scientific community turned its attention to understanding the complex, disrupted areas that make up urban ecosystems. Therefore, it becomes the role of the Division of Resource Management, in concert with research and other technical staffs of the Region to sustain a program toward developing necessary understanding and associated technology. Doing so will provide the Division of Maintenance with steadily improving strategies for more efficiently managing the urban landscapes of the park.

FACILITIES
VISITOR CENTERS

Lobby Visitor Orientation and Greeting Area

Open
Open All Year Times vary due to season
Open From 08/13/2000 To 09/04/2000 9:00 a.m. - 8:45 p.m.
Open From 09/05/2000 To 04/02/2001 9:00 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.

Phone
202-606-8691

Location
The Old Post Office is located on the southeast corner of Pennsylvania Avenue and 12th Street, N.W., Washington, D.C.

Closures
The Old Post Office Tower is open year round seven days a week except for Thanksgiving Day, Christmas, and New Years Day. In addition, the Old Post Office Tower is closed every Thursday evening from 6:30 - 9:30 due to bell ringing practice. The Tower also closes for up to three hours on federal holidays for bell ringing and other special occasions as designated by Congress. The Tower may also close due to elevator maintenance and inclement weather. Call the Tower or visit the Old Post Office Tower web site to inquire as to when the bells will be rung or in case of bad weather.

Special Programs
Public bell ringing demonstrations are held bi-annually by members of the Washington Ringing Society. Call for times and reservations.

Exhibits
The Old Post Office Tower has a exhibit room on the 9th floor with a hand carved model of the building, a touch screen, and historic photographs detailing the history of the building. There are also historic photographs located in the visitor greeting area on the stage level. The Congress Bells are also available for viewing.

Available Facilities
There are a number of eateries and rest rooms located in the Pavilion at the Old Post Office.

PLAN YOUR VISIT
Operating Hours & Seasons

Summer: Begins 1st weekend in June through Labor Day, 9:00 a.m. - 7:45 p.m (Monday through Friday) Saturday, Sunday and Holidays 10 a.m. to 5:45 p.m.
Winter (Labor Day through Memorial Day): 9:00 a.m. - 4:45 p.m. Monday through Friday. Weekends and Holidays, 10 am to 5:45 p.m.

Tours begin approximately every five minutes from the glass elevator on the stage level of the Old Post Office Pavilion. The observation deck is exposed to the weather and the Tower may close in bad weather.

Getting There

Plane
Washington, D.C is serviced by three airports Reagan National, Dulles, and Baltimore-Washington International (BWI). All the airports have limo and taxi service availble to downtown Washington. BWI has rail service available and Reagan National has Metro rail service.

Car
The Old Post Office is located at the southeast corner of Pennsylvania Avenue and 12th Street, N.W. Public parking spaces are limited in Washington, D.C. Limited on-street parking is available during non-rush times (9:30 a.m. -4:00 p.m.) on weekdays, and all day on weekends and holidays. Parking may be restricted during special events. Several commercial parking lots are located near the park.

Public Transportation
Metro busses run regularly along Pennsylvania Avenue and 12th Street. Metro Rail’s Federal Triangle Station (orange and blue lines) is directly across 12th street from the Old Post Office. Tour bus parking is primarily available along Ohio Drive, S.W., near the FDR, Lincoln and Jefferson Memorials.

Getting Around

The Old Post Office is accessible by elevator and walking.

ENTRANCE FEES

Old Post Office Tower
Details - There is no fee charged at the Old Post Office Tower.

Old Post Office Tower
Fees -Free!

By Mail
Old Post Office Tower
900 Ohio Drive, S.W.
Washington, DC 20024

By Phone
Visitor Information
202-606-8691
Visitor Information (TDD)
202-606-8694