The Jefferson Memorial: Honoring a Founding Father

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Building a Legacy: The Story of the Jefferson Memorial

A Presidential Tribute

The Jefferson Memorial might not exist without President Franklin D. Roosevelt (FDR).

In 1934, FDR, a great admirer of Thomas Jefferson, proposed creating a memorial to honor the third president's contributions to the nation. His idea gained substantial support, and soon, Congress established the Thomas Jefferson Memorial Commission to oversee the project.

Choosing the Perfect Spot

The first challenge before designing the memorial was picking a location. Several spots were considered, but the final choice was a site south of the White House, next to the Tidal Basin.

This location was chosen to create a symbolic four-point plan around the National Mall with the following landmarks.

• The Lincoln Memorial
• The U.S. Capitol Building
• The White House
• The Jefferson Memorial

By placing Jefferson's tribute in this spot, the design of Washington, D.C., gained a new level of balance and meaning.

A Design Fit for a Founding Father

Architect John Russell Pope was tasked with designing the memorial. He took inspiration from ancient Roman architecture, just as Jefferson himself did when designing his home, Monticello.

Pope's design featured a circular shape, modeled after Roman temples, a large dome, similar to the Pantheon in Rome, and grand columns, matching the neoclassical style of other D.C. monuments.

If you compare the Jefferson Memorial and Monticello, you'll see the similarities!

Jefferson's influence on American architecture was just as significant as his role in shaping the government.

Challenges and Delays

Construction began in 1938, with FDR laying the cornerstone (the first stone placed in the foundation). However, World War II caused material shortages, delaying the project.

The most significant issue was the lack of bronze for the Jefferson statue. Instead of waiting, a temporary plaster statue was placed inside, painted to look like bronze. The actual bronze statue of Jefferson was finally installed in 1947, completing the memorial.

FDR, who was deeply invested in the project, even had trees near the White House cut down so he could see the monument from his office before he passed away in 1945.

A Lasting Tribute

Inside the memorial, Jefferson is surrounded by powerful words from his writings, including passages from the following documents.

• The Declaration of Independence
• A Bill for Establishing Religious Freedom
• Other famous works on democracy and freedom

These engravings remind visitors of Jefferson's impact on the founding principles of the United States.

Now, it's your turn to think about Jefferson's legacy!

Move on to the Got It? section.