Destination List > Thomas Jefferson Memorial

Thomas Jefferson Memorial

The history...

The Thomas Jefferson Memorial honors Thomas Jefferson, the third President of the United States and the main author of the Declaration of Independence. This beautiful monument stands on the south bank of the Tidal Basin, surrounded by cherry blossom trees that bloom spectacularly each spring.

The idea for a memorial to honor Jefferson began in the 1930s. President Franklin D. Roosevelt, who admired Jefferson, supported the idea. Architect John Russell Pope designed the memorial, drawing inspiration from the Roman Pantheon, with its round shape and grand columns.

Construction of the Jefferson Memorial started in 1939 and was completed in 1943. Unfortunately, John Russell Pope passed away before seeing his design finished. His colleagues Otto R. Eggers and Daniel P. Higgins took over and ensured the memorial was built according to Pope's vision.

The Jefferson Memorial features a large dome supported by 54 Ionic columns. Inside the memorial, a 19-foot tall bronze statue of Thomas Jefferson stands at the center. This statue, created by sculptor Rudulph Evans, shows Jefferson holding the Declaration of Independence.

The walls of the memorial are inscribed with quotes from Jefferson's writings, including passages from the Declaration of Independence and his famous letters. These inscriptions reflect Jefferson's beliefs in liberty, democracy, and the pursuit of knowledge.

The memorial was dedicated on April 13, 1943, on Jefferson's 200th birthday. President Franklin D. Roosevelt gave a speech at the dedication ceremony, praising Jefferson's contributions to the nation.

Source ChatGPT