Jefferson Memorial
About
What It Is
The Thomas Jefferson Memorial is a national memorial in Washington, D.C., dedicated to Thomas Jefferson, the principal author of the Declaration of Independence and the third president of the United States. [2] Situated in West Potomac Park on the shore of the Tidal Basin, the memorial is managed by the National Park Service under the National Mall and Memorial Parks division. [2] Construction ran from 1939 to 1943, though the bronze interior statue of Jefferson was not installed until 1947, four years after the memorial's dedication. [2] The memorial is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and ranked fourth on the American Institute of Architects' list of America's favorite architecture. [2]
Activities & Experiences
Visitors can view the large bronze statue of Jefferson inside the memorial chamber and read multiple inscribed quotes drawn from his writings, selected to represent his political philosophy and ideology. [2] The surrounding Tidal Basin setting, lined with Japanese flowering cherry trees, makes the memorial a notable destination during peak cherry blossom bloom. [1] The memorial's exterior and reflecting basin also offer views connecting it visually to the White House, which anchors the opposite end of this axis of the National Mall. [2]
Practical Access
The memorial is located at 1100 Ohio Drive SW, Washington, D.C. [1] It is administered by the National Park Service and can be reached by phone at 202-426-6841. [1] No fees, hours, or typical visit duration are specified in the available sources.
Restrictions
No specific restrictions noted in the sources.
What Makes It Distinctive
The memorial's neoclassical design, conceived by architect John Russell Pope, draws directly from the Roman Pantheon and from Jefferson's own rotunda design at the University of Virginia, making the architecture itself a tribute to Jefferson's personal aesthetic sensibilities. [2] Together with the White House, it forms one of the two anchor points of the National Mall, giving it a singular position in the planned geometry of Washington, D.C. [2] Its location among the cherry trees on the Tidal Basin creates a setting that is visually distinct from other memorials on the Mall, particularly during the annual cherry blossom season. [1]
Sources
- Open year-round
- Hours: 24/7
Things to do
- cherry blossom viewing
Best time to visit
- spring cherry blossom season
Features
- bronze jefferson statue
- inscribed jefferson quotes
- national register listed
- neoclassical domed rotunda
- tidal basin waterfront setting
Nearby
- lincoln memorial
- white house to north
Good to know
- contact: 202-426-6841
- nps managed site
Photos
