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.
Read More From Nancy
Korean War Veteran’s Memorial
In Washington, D.C., the nation’s story unfolds across sweeping lawn and reflecting pools, carved into marble, bronze and stone. Each memorial is scattered through the city’s landscape translated into physical form by artists tasked with shaping our memory. Among the most moving memorials is the Korean War Veterans Memorial. This memorial does not soar skyward but meets […]
National Mall and Washington Monument
For someone who loves monuments, there is one city in the United States that stands above all others: Washington, D.C. Across this carefully designed landscape stand some of the nation’s most significant memorials, each telling part of the American story. One of the most striking views in the city is standing along the National Mall with […]
Pennsylvania Avenue National Historic Site
Pennsylvania Avenue National Historic Site in Washington, D.C., preserves what has often been called “America’s Main Street.” Established as a National Historic Site in 1965, this famous avenue stretches between the United States Capitol and the White House, linking the legislative and executive branches of our government. Few streets in the world have witnessed as […]
