April 13th through the 20th was the 30th annual Washington Seminar Field Study (1973 through 2002) with the participants residing at the Hotel Harrington. We consider the Hotel Harrington the "home" of Washington Seminar in the Nation's Capital.

The Washington Seminar is an in-depth study seminar on the Federal Government. If you wish additional information about the Washington Seminar, visit www.inwave.com/schools/Parker/Wash.html or send me an e-mail to John W. Eyster, jeyster@ticon.net.

Through the years, the Hotel Harrington has been "The home way from home" for the Washington Seminar. I have chosen to return to the Hotel Harrington because of the hospitality and cooperative working relationship with the hotel's management, and the wonderful location of the hotel at the corner of 11th and E Streets, N.W..

The location of the Hotel Harrington is superb for a group doing field study in the Nation's Capital. Located halfway between the Capitol and the White House, around the corner from the Metro Center subway stop, and just a block from the Old Post Office, makes the Hotel Harrington location optimal for the Seminar. And the bell tower of the Old Post Office is a helpful landmark for the students to locate the hotel easily. The 2002 Field Study was able to walk to all the theater events: "The Capitol Steps" at Regan International Trade Center; "Hot Mikado" at Ford's Theater; "Romeo & Juliet" at the Shakespeare at Landover Theater. The location of the Hotel Harrington has become better and better as various developments have come into the neighborhood. Venues for entertainment within walking distance of the Hotel Harrington include:  MCI Sports Center, National Theater, Warner Theater, Ford's Theater, and the Convention Center. The Metro Center subway station makes it convenient to travel throughout the capital city and region. Venues for good eating are right in the neighborhood: from the Waffle Shop on 10th Street across from Ford's Theater to Reeves (the deli known for fresh Strawberry pie - delicious!), to Old Ebbitt's Grill (15th Street near New York Avenue), to the restaurants of China Town. Washington Seminar makes an annual pilgrimage to the Dancing Crab out on Wisconsin Avenue, N.W. (nearly to the Maryland state line) via the Metro Subway to enjoy hardshell crab. For most Seminar students, this is the first time they have ever had hardshell crab and they enjoy the fun of the new eating experience!

The facilities of the Hotel Harrington are just right for my Seminar group. The cost is reasonable, and assigning students to rooms located conveniently together to facilitate supervision has been part of the helpful work the hotel's management has always provided in working with me, and students are most welcome at the Hotel Harrington. We have frequently met other college groups and international students at the hotel, and have enjoyed our interacting with them. Having lived and taught in Norway, I am always listening for international languages, and they abound at the Hotel Harrington. One year, I heard a Norwegian accent and started a conversation; the person was involved with official Norway-U.S. Government negotiations on an issue which one of my Seminar students was researching. My new Norwegian contact provided my student with numerous video and print resources which enabled him to produce a superior finished project.

I lived in Washington, D.C. for several years, and while there graduated from the School of International Service, and Wesley Theological Seminary at The American University, so I consider Washington, D.C. my "Second Hometown". And in my second hometown, I have long since considered the Hotel Harrington my "home away from home". When you bring your next group to Washington, D.C., give the Hotel Harrington a try just as I did way back in 1973. Soon you'll be calling the Hotel Harrington your "home away from home" as well...maybe we'll even run into each other there one day.

If you have any questions about Washington Seminar and/or the Hotel Harrington, feel free to contact me.

John W. Eyster
jeyster@ticon.net
Founder/Director Emeritus
Washington Seminar