The Mall has changed a lot in 148 years, hasn't it? It was beautiful. I have conflicted feelings about the Mall today. It's the nation's gathering place, and so it being a flat expanse of boringness is a practical solution to that problem. But imagine if it was still the hilly park it used to be? With wildflower meadows or gardens? Original photo taken in June of 18-friggin-62 by Andrew J. Russell, courtesy of the Library of Congress. The original caption reads: Photograph shows a view of the Smithsonian Institution from below a field of wildflowers. Seven men face the building. If you would like to purchase prints from this project, visit my Etsy store! Please like this project on Facebook!