Sneak Peek of AFRH’s New Scott Building’s Hall of Honor
The 3-deminsional representation of the Soldiers’ and Airman’s seal is proudly situation in the center of the room.
Bright and early yesterday morning I, along with Alexandria resident Rick Tucker, got a preview of the Armed Forces Retirement Home’s Hall of Honor. Should you have an opportunity to visit the AFRH’s new Scott Building, be sure to check this feature out.
The Hall of Honor is part museum exhibition and part resident memorabilia. In short, the hall tells the history of the Soldiers’ Home with interpretive text, historic images, and Soldiers’ Home artifacts. Upon entering the space, the center of the room is dominated by three rifles supporting a drum. I thought this was brilliant, as it is a three-dimensional representation of the Soldiers’ and Airman’s Home seal. The case sits atop a two-dimensional version of the seal that is viable when the case is removed. Surrounding this in the floor are the seals of the four branches of the military.
In the four quarters of the room are display cases that contain memorabilia from AFRH residents. The intent is to have the objects in these cases rotate so that there is always something new to see.
Along the eastern wall is a history display, including a timeline, specific to the Soldiers’ Home. This differs in the exhibition along the western wall which focuses on life at the home, including neighborhood use of the park, as told in historic images (both Mr. Tucker and I had contributed historic photographs for the exhibit), text, and objects.
Old regulations for visitors to the Soldiers’ Home that once greeted those entering the grounds for enjoyment.
All in all, I was extremely impressed with the amount of detail and high quality of execution. One of my favorite objects was actually a poster entitled Regulations to Govern Visitors Entering Grounds of Soldiers’ Home. While weather beaten and worn, among the rules on the sign are:
- No Dogs allowed to enter the grounds of the Home. Small dogs in carriages may be taken through the grounds remaining with owners.
- Pedestrians NOT ALLOWED TO WALK ON THE GRASS.
- Equestrians not allowed off the roads.
- RACING AND FAST DRIVING IS PROHIBITED.
- Picnics and like parties must obtain permission from the Governor.
- [Men?] and boys with guns and slings not permitted to enter the grounds.
- SHOOTING, trapping, or otherwise …. game is strictly PROHIBITED.
If nothing else, the rules provide and interesting insight into another time.
Below are more photographs of the exhibition space.
Upon entering the space, the 3-Dimensional Home seal is surrounded by the seals of the four branches of the military embedded in the floor. The free standing display cases contain rotating exhibits of resident artifacts and memorabilia.
The eastern wall contains an overview of the Soldiers’ Home’s history, including a timeline.
The west wall contains photos and artifact related to live and leisure at the Soldiers’ Home.
Tags: AFRH, history and culture
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Park View, D.C. 
July 30, 2013 at 4:10 pm
It’s a beautiful exhibit, but I want to note that this building/exhibit is not open for general visitors who walk onto the grounds of the home as the property is not a public space (with the exception of special occasions). However, the Visitor’s Center of the Lincoln Cottage is always open to the public during the day.