Jefferson Memorial

Here we are standing before the Thomas Jefferson Memorial in Washington, D.C. Set along the edge of the Tidal Basin, this memorial has a sense of balance, symmetry and quiet strength. It is both elegant and deeply reflective of the man it honors.

The design of the memorial draws from classical Roman architecture, inspired by the Pantheon in Rome. This was an intentional choice, as Jefferson was an architect who admired classical design and believed deeply in the ideals of reason, democracy and human potential. The open rotunda, the strong columns and the domed ceiling create a space that feels expansive.

Inside, a towering bronze statue of Jefferson stands in the center, surrounded by inscriptions of his own words. These passages, drawn from the Declaration of Independence and his other writings, speak of liberty, education, and the enduring responsibility of a free people.

The memorial was authorized by Congress in 1934 and dedicated in 1943 by Franklin D. Roosevelt, on the 200th anniversary of Jefferson’s birth.

This memorial is surrounded by the water of the Tidal Basin and offers a quieter experience that some of the other monuments. Here is a place to pause and consider the principles on which the country was built.