During his lifetime, John Ericsson revolutionized several facets of technology. The Swedish-born engineer-inventor is best known for his work during the Civil War when he transformed naval warfare through his design of the iron-plated USS Monitor. The movements of Ericsson's pencil across his drafting board were as crucial to victory as the movements of Lincoln's armies across battlefields.
The Basics
Hours:
John Fitzgerald Kennedy National Historic Site is located in a residential neighborhood. While the grounds are accessible year-round, the house is open to the public seasonally.
During 2007, the site is open to the public from May 23 until September 30. Hours of operation during the public season are Wednesday through Sunday, from 10 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.
Interstate 395 provides access to the Mall from the south. Interstate 495, New York Avenue, Rock Creek Parkway, George Washington Memorial Parkway, and the Cabin John Parkway provide access from the North. Interstate 66, U.S. Route 50 and 29 provide access from the West. U.S. Routes 50, 1, and 4 provide access from the East. There is limited handicapped parking at the Lincoln and FDR memorials; otherwise parking is extremely scarce in Washington, D.C.
Climate
Washington has a temperate climate typical of the Mid-Atlantic U.S., with four distinct seasons. Summer tends to be very hot and humid Spring and fall are mild. Winter can bring cold temperatures, frozen precipitation and, on occasions, major snowstorms.
