Scenic Runway

We at Scenic Runway love pictures. We believe pictures tell the story of who we are. We could think of no better way to start 2014 than with a visit to the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, DC. I discovered an interesting fact that I was not aware of, Abraham Lincoln’s inaugural ball was held at the site in March 1865. Construction of the Greek Revival architectural building began in 1836 and was completed in 1868.

I spent hours at the gallery admiring every image and its history. Below are a few of the fascinating images I discovered in the open spaces where cameras were allowed within the gallery.

I left the gallery with newfound knowledge and a greater belief that in order to move forward we first have to understand our past.

Happy New Year

It’s that time of year again in which we find ourselves reflecting back on the past year. The year of 2013 for Scenic Runway has been filled with new opportunities both personally and professionally, all of which would not have been possible if it were not for our passion for travel. We have seen our readership grow tremendously in 2013, for which we are extremely grateful!

We at Scenic Runway would like to take a moment to thank our readers and those who welcomed us during our travels in 2013.

French photographer, Charles Marville (born Charles-François Bossu (1813–1879) adopted the pseudonym Marville – Bossu means hunchback in French) known for his photographs of Paris during its transformation in the 1860s, is being showcased in an exhibition at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC.

Charles Marville was the official photographer of Paris during its urbanization in the 1860s. From September 29, 2013 to January 5, 2014, visitors to the exhibit will be able to view photographs of the natural beauty of Paris as well as other photographs taken during its transformation.

Charles Marville
Sky Study, Paris, 1856-1857
Lent by The Metropolitan Museum of Art, The Horace W. Goldsmith Foundation Fund, through
Joyce and Robert Menschel, 1987
Image © The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Charles Marville
Percement de l’avenue de l’Opéra (Construction of the avenue de l’Opéra), December 1876
Musée Carnavalet, Paris
© Musée Carnavalet / Roger-Viollet

Charles Marville
Rue de Constantine (fourth arrondissement), 1866
Lent by The Metropolitan Museum of Art, The Horace W. Goldsmith Foundation Fund, through
Joyce and Robert Menschel, 1986
Image © The Metropolitan Museum of Art

To be able to see photographs of Paris in the 1860″s and compare it to what I have seen on my visits to Paris is fascinating. For someone like myself who has a deep admiration for Paris, the French culture as well as of photographs from a time long ago, this exhibit is absolutely amazing!

Located in New York City, Central Park is a public park that opened in 1857 in Manhattan. An oasis in the middle of fast paced New York City!

New York City skyline from Central Park!

Fair Park located in Dallas, Texas was built in 1936 for the Texas Centennial Exposition. Many of the building are designed in the Art Deco architectural style. Today Fair Park consist of museums, gardens, an aquarium, performance venues, cultural and educational facilities, etc.

While exploring the area near our hotel in Paris we discovered the Les Invalides museum. The Les Invalides museum is located within the 7th arrondissement of Paris, France. Originally a hospital and retirement home for war veterans. Within the Les Invalides is the Musee de l Armee (Army Museum) as well as the burial site of Napoleon Bonaparte.

Statue of Napoleon Bonaparte (Les Invalides)