The Mansion on O Street

Last post from our Spring Break trip to D.C. Greta is interning this spring at this blog's title. It's a funky place that you'll have to see for yourself some day, because the website was last updated in the late 1990s, it looks like. Five town houses off Dupont Circle filled with memorabilia and art -- from pop culture to politics to rare books and a whole lot more. Everything inside is for sale, to benefit various charitable causes, and oh yeah, it's a working hotel where you can sleep in some of the rooms if you have a minimum of $500 burning a hole in your pocket. Some very famous people have done exactly that, and quite a few artists and celebs have been "in residence" for a period of time, including Rosa Parks (yes, that Rosa Parks), who lived the final 10 years of her life there. Oh, and there are at least 90 "hidden doors" between and in the 125+ rooms, which creates a treasure hunt vibe. None of them have a doorknob or latch, so you're constantly going around and lightly pushing and pulling things to see if they give. Pro tip: there aren't any behind the $31,000 paintings, so don't touch those. Like I said, an odd, odd place. Greta greets guests, gives them a spiel, plays an introductory video, and is available for questions as they wander around. Oh, and she's doing some research of their rare books collection, helping price them. All that plus a couple papers for a professor who stamps them with an A and she gets 3 AU credits.

Half a dozen vintage pinball machines can be yours for anywhere between $700-1,500.

I believe Greta helped erect this display.

Neither of these kids is any good at pool.

Inside the wine cellar, by far the coolest room, carved out of stone.

Looking for a hidden door in the Elvis room.