April Meeting - Update (long message)

[Richard Schneider <richard.schneider@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Dear Panorama Chat Folks,

This message is designed to update you on the schedule of events being organized for the April Panorama Meeting being held in the Washington, DC area from April 6-8, 2000. I hope many of you will be able to attend.

Thursday - April 6

I have arranged for a tour of the panoramic collection of the Library of Congress during the morning hours. This tour will be conducted by Carol Johnson, Curator with the Prints and Photographs Division. She is primarily responsible for the excellent on-line exhibit of the Library's panoramic photographs ( http://lcweb.loc.gov/rr/print/coll/187_pans.html ). 

Andrew Robb, Photographic Conservator with LC, will also give a presentation on the techniques used to treat historic panoramic prints.

We will have a Lecture Room available for our coats, back packs, etc.

The on-site cafeteria opens to the public at 12:30.

The afternoon has no firmly scheduled activities yet. I am hoping a colleague of ours will be able to arrange a tour of the Smithsonian Institution's panoramic holdings. If not, I am working on arranging a guided tour of the current photography exhibit at the National Archives (downtown) which is entitled "Picturing the Century".

As you can see, the first day's activities will likely be in two or more locations. Plan on wearing sneakers or other comfortable shoes. The Archives and the Smithsonian are approximately a 30 minute walk (or a 10 minute Metro ride) from the Library. Perhaps on the way down we can take a group photograph in front of the US Capitol (now there's an original idea!). 

After the tour of the Smithsonian and/or Archives, you'd be on your own and if it is a nice day, you should consider a stroll down to the Tidal Basin for Cherry Blossom photographs. Depending on your gait and how much equipment you are carrying, you should be able to walk there from between 30 and 45 minutes.

Friday - April 7

This day's activities will be conducted entirely at the National Archives in College Park, Maryland (a k a Archives 2). The type of activities will range from lectures/talks to tours of the facility. I'm planning on two time blocks for presentations: 30 minute (20 min. talk and 10 min. Q&A) and 60 minute (45min. talk and 15 min. Q&A). I still have plenty of spots available, so if you'd like to make a presentation, please let me know so I can place it in the schedule. Thus far I have the following scheduled:

The Still Photography Holdings - National Archives Staff.
Scanning and Color Management - National Archives Staff.
The Patent Records of the National Archives - National Archives Staff.
Digital Output - Rieger Communications.
Panoramic Printing - ABC Photo & Imaging.

I am still in the process of arranging tours of the Research Rooms.

Lunch would be on-site in the cafeteria. I anticipate the day's activities starting at 9:45 or 10:00 and lasting until appox. 5:00 pm.

Saturday - April 8

This day's activities would also take place at Archives 2 for as long as necessary. Thus far, the only activities I've planned is a tour of the Special Media Preservation Laboratory where I personally work, and a brief tour of the Still Picture "stack" area, where the panoramic photography records are housed and stored.

This day can really be devoted to ad hoc presentations, discussions and portfolio viewings. The on-site cafeteria is closed on weekends, so we might want to organize a group luncheon at a nearby restaurant. I would anticipate the day's activities starting at aound 10:00 and lasting until 3 or 4:00 pm.

At that point, you'd be on your own as far as taking photographs, getting together for dinner, etc. Because of other committments, my personal involvement with the meeting would end that Saturday afternoon. 

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Refreshments

On Friday and Saturday mornings I'd like to have hot beverages and snacks available for the meeting's attendees. On Friday afternoon I'd also like refreshments and snacks available. 

I am debating whether to collect a small ($10 or so) registration fee to cover the costs of refreshments or to ask for corporate/business support. If anyone in the latter category is willing to volunteer for this please let me know. There are limitations on how much of and what kind of advertising a private company can offer on government property. At a minimum I should at least be able to acknowledge your generosity in the program.
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Getting Around

The Library of Congress is located near the "Capitol South" Metro stop on the Orange and Blue Line. The Smithsonian Institution is (for the most part) at the "Smithsonian" Metro stop on the Orange and Blue Line. The National Archives is at the "Archives / Navy Memorial" stop on the Yellow / Green line. All these sites are generally within easy walking distance of each other. The closest Metro stops to the Tidal Basin are either "Smithsonian" or "Foggy Bottom / GWU" on the Orange / Blue Lines.

On Friday - April 7 only:

If you are staying in DC, you can take the (free) National Archives shuttle from DC to College Park. The shuttle leaves every hour on the hour from 8:00 am until 5:00 pm. If you get to the stop (7th Avenue side of building) by 9:00 am, you'd arrive at Archives 2 by 9:45. The shuttle does not operate on weekends.

The National Archives in College Park, Maryland is not within walking distance of any Metro stop. The closest is "Prince George's Plaza" on the Green Line. You would then have to connect to the R3 bus which takes you right to the door. If you are driving yourself, the Archives property has free parking. You do however, have to register your car with Security.
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Lodgings

At present, I'm not organizing hotel accomodations for this meeting. In other words, you're on your own if you are coming in from out of town. I have a few suggestions below, but please note that this list is by no means exhaustive. Through networking we might be able to concentrate out-of-towners into a particular lodging or two. Because Cherry Blossom time is generally peak season for hotels, I'd recommend booking early.

Courtyard by Marriott - New Carrolton (MD)
301-577-3373, appox. $90.00 per room.
Nice property. 3 AAA diamonds. Excellent location near Amtrak and Orange Line Metro Stations.

Holiday Inn - Greenbelt (MD)
301-982-7000, appox. $80.00 per room.
About 15 minutes from Archives 2. 3 AAA diamonds. Check if they have a shuttle service.

Comfort Inn and Suites - College Park (MD)
301-441-8110, appox. $100.00 per room.
Within 10 min. drive of Archives 2. 3 AAA diamonds. Area transportation services.

Holiday Inn - College Park (MD)
301-345-6700, appox. $90.00 per room. 
3 AAA diamonds. Area transportation services.

Holiday Inn - Capitol (DC)
202-479-4000, appox. $120.00 per room.
Near Smithsonian and Archives. 3 AAA diamonds. Probably a popular spot.

Hyatt Regency - Capitol Hill (DC)
202-737-1234, from appox. $120.00 to $180.00 per room (weekday vs. weekend rates).
Near Union Station and Library. 3 AAA diamonds. 

Quality Inn - Iwo Jima (VA)
703-524-5000, appox. @90.00 per room.
Near Rosslyn Orange / Blue Metro Line in Arlington, VA. 3 AAA diamonds. 

Hyatt - Arlington (VA)
703-525-1234, appox. $90.00 per room.
Near Rosslyn Orange / Blue Metro Line. AAA discounts but apparantly not rated.
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I'll keep you posted on any further developments. Remember, I have openings for lectures, demonstrations, etc. on our activities schedule. If you are a camera inventor, software designer, or have simply been on a neat trip recently that you'd like to share with a group of panoramic enthusiasts, you are most welcome to participate!

Thanks,

Richard Schneider

richard.schneider@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx