One of the most beautiful and most visible monuments in DC is the Jefferson Memorial, located on the Tidal Basin of the Potomac River, just south of the White House. It had been at least 15 years since I had visited, so a couple of weeks ago the CPA and I headed out early on a Saturday morning.
Early in the morning really is the best time to see the monuments as there are few people around. Normally, the Tidal Basin area is packed with joggers, picnickers and tourists. In the spring, this area is brilliantly framed with the hundreds of cherry blossoms that are in bloom. (As well as the thousands of visitors that come to see them.) The basin itself is a partially man-made inlet that is adjacent to the Potomac River. It is approximately 107 acres wide and is 10 feet deep.
Directly across from the basin is the Washington Monument, which is seen reflected in the water. At the tip of the basin stands the Jefferson Memorial itself.
The monument was built in in 1934 at the prompting of President Franklin Rooselvelt, who was an admirer of Thomas Jefferson.
The project was commissioned to architect John Russell Pope, who also built the National Archives Building as well as the west building of the National Gallery of Art. The monument was to consist of a portico, columns, and a dome.
There was initially a lot of opposition to the project because residents felt that the site did not fit into the overall design of the District as L’Enfant has planned it. Also, many cherry trees had to be removed.
But construction continued as planned and on April 13, 1943 (the 200th anniversary of Jefferson’s birthday) it was dedicated by President Rooselvelt.
Since the country was at war and materials were scarce, the inside statue had not yet been completed.
It wasn’t until 1947 that the bronze statue of Thomas Jefferson, made by artist Rudulph Evans, was added.
The statue is 19 feet tall, weighs 10,000 pounds, and
stands on a pedestal bearing Jefferson’s name.
The walls of the dome are lined with excepts from the Declaration of Independence, 1776,
and the Bill for Establishing Religious Freedom, 1777.
The frieze at the top of the pillars has the following of Jefferson’s words inscribed:
“I have sworn upon the altar of God eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man.”
The dome opens up to more columns on the other side of the monument.
They are just as beautiful as the interior.
The Arlington House at Arlington Cemetery can be seen in the distance,
as can the White House.
As we were leaving the monument, we realized that visitors can go down the front steps
and take a right at the bottom.
There we found the entrance to the visitor center located under the monument.
It contains a couple of book stores, some artifacts,
and public restrooms.
If nothing else, it’s a nice place to get out of the cold and warm up before heading out on the next adventure, which is exactly what we did.
All in all, a lovely way to spend an early Saturday morning.
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