What’s Unsaid Speaks
as Loudly as What’s Said

n a recent Heart of American History Tour at the U.S. Capitol, our assigned docent asked if our group had specific interests. That’s always a tricky question when you are a Christian group, not knowing the worldview and professionalism of your particular guide. Her electric blue pageboy hair, black boots, rainbow pin, and disinterested demeanor suggested we might not share the same perspective. Still, I responded, “We’re Christians and would like to explore aspects of Christianity woven into the Capitol’s design or its historical events,” hoping professionalism would carry the day.

Unfortunately, we received a very mechanical, monotone tour that omitted any mention of the Christian elements we requested. Notably, the guide skipped two striking 12’ x 18’ oil-on-canvas paintings in the Rotunda: Embarkation of the Pilgrims, depicting William Brewster leading a prayer as families depart for the New World, and Baptism of Pocahontas, portraying Pocahontas’s baptism before her marriage to John Rolfe. She described the other six Rotunda paintings in detail but ignored these until we asked her to comment on them.

Sometimes, what’s left unsaid speaks as loudly as what’s said and the truth is we don’t know what we don’t know. If you’re going to Washington, DC, go with someone who knows—Landmark Events. Our guides know the stories—and the backstories—all from a distinctly Christian Worldview. You will be glad you did!

Image Credits: 1 Capitol Rotunda (wikipedia.org)