As the bitter chill intensifies every day, many are anxious about the prospect of walking miles outdoors to the various inaugural events. But fear not, some federal buildings will remain open on Inauguration Day as “rest stops.”
“I have been concerned with the uncontrollables — things like the size of the crowd and the cold,” said D.C. Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton, who was the biggest proponent of keeping the buildings open. “I wanted to make sure that there were strategic locations open for people.”
Federal buildings that will stay open include the Old Post Office Pavilion at 12th and Pennsylvania Avenue NW from 5 a.m. to 7 p.m., the Ronald Reagan Building at 13th and Pennsylvania Avenue NW for 24 hours, both Federal Aviation Administration buildings, 10A and 10b, at Eighth and Independence Avenue SW, and the Ford House Office Building at Third and D streets SW during regular business hours.
Although the changes have just been announced to the public, “it’s something we have already worked into the plan,” a spokesman for U.S. Secret Service said.
Seven Smithsonian museums on the National Mall will be open from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. for those looking to escape the wintry weather. The American History Museum and the Smithsonian Castle will open earlier than the other buildings at 8 a.m.
Several churches near the Capitol building will serve as “warming stations.” Capitol Hill Presbyterian Church at Fourth Street and Independence Avenue SE will be open to the public from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Lutheran Church of the Reformation at 212 E. Capitol St. NE from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
“Our Parish Hall will be open for coffee and we’re going to try to have some TVs,” a volunteer with the Lutheran church said.
Although the added rest stops will make inauguration more inviting to the public, they don’t make it kid-friendly or a guarantee that people will brave the cold.
Pregnant mother Kim Marin, an Alexandria resident who will not be able to attend the inauguration, took her young son, Jack, downtown to see the sights last week.
“Jack’s only 2, so the cold and the crush of people would’ve made it almost impossible for us to participate in person on Tuesday,” Marin said. “People are trying to find creative ways to include their kids in the experience.”
