The Jefferson Memorial in Washington, D.C., is a national monument dedicated to Thomas Jefferson, the third U.S. president and principal author of the Declaration of Independence. It is located on the Tidal Basin in West Potomac Park, surrounded by cherry blossom trees, and is a prominent feature on the National Mall.
Designed by architect John Russell Pope in a neoclassical style inspired by the Roman Pantheon and Jefferson’s own architectural work, the memorial features a circular colonnade of Ionic columns, a shallow dome, and white marble construction sourced from Vermont. The centerpiece inside is a 19-foot bronze statue of Jefferson, created by sculptor Rudolph Evans, added in 1947 after the memorial’s completion in 1943.
The interior walls bear inscriptions of Jefferson’s writings, including excerpts from the Declaration of Independence, reflecting his philosophy of republicanism, individual rights, and religious freedom. The memorial is open-air and accessible 24 hours a day, with the main statue area open continuously
Interesting facts..
The statue inside the memorial is not the original one planned; the current 19-foot bronze statue was added in 1947, several years after the memorial opened
The memorial’s location was specifically chosen by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to create a direct line of sight from the White House, symbolizing a connection between Jefferson and the presidency