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Behind These Walls
Serving as the City's Diplomatic Gateway
Diplomacy
Before air travel, the Navy Yard was the ceremonial gateway to the nation's capital. In 1860, the first Japanese diplomatic mission was welcomed to the United States in an impressive pageant here. Great Britain's George VI and Queen Elizabeth (shown in this picture) arrived at the Yard to visit President Franklin Roosevelt in 1939. Many Presidential Yachts were moored at the Yard including the USS Mayflower (1905-1929), USS Sequoia (1933-1977), USS Potomac (1933-1945) and USS Williamsburg (1945-1953). |