Be advised that the NPS has issued alerts for this park.
Jefferson Memorial elevator
The elevator from the ground level to the chamber of the Jefferson Memorial may be intermittently out of order. Visitors can take steps, but if you require an elevator for a successful visit, please call this number for current status: 202-426-6841.
Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826) was the third president of the United States, Secretary of State in George Washington's cabinet, and the author of the Declaration of Independence. Begun as a New Deal construction project, the Thomas Jefferson Memorial was completed in 1943. The imposing marble structure's columns and Monticello-esque dome bear selections of Jefferson's writings on several themes including religion, education, freedom, and government. Additional exhibits and rest
(368 words) The Thomas Jefferson Memorial sits along the south edge of the Tidal Basin in West Potomac Park in Washington, DC. East Basin Drive, SW bends around the south side of the memorial. Walkways lead north on either side of a seventy-square foot lawn to a path that arcs around both sides to the memorial front entrance along the Tidal Basin. The Jefferson Memorial building is a circular, open-air structure featuring a shallow dome supported by a circular colonnade composed of twenty-six columns. An additional twelve columns support the north portico, and four columns stand in each of the memorial's four openings to the north, south, east, and west. A sculpture set in the triangular roof line of the memorial's north side depicts five men, two seated on either side of a man standing at a large document laid across a table. The memorial is constructed of white marble and rests upon a series of granite and marble-stepped terraces. A flight of granite and marble stairs and platforms, flanked by granite buttresses, lead up from the Tidal Basin. A nineteen-foot tall bronze statue of Thomas Jefferson in a long fur-collared coat stands atop a six-foot tall black granite pedestal in the center of the dome-roofed main chamber. Jefferson's left foot is set forward slightly and he holds rolled-up papers in his left hand. An inscription on the face of the pedestal base reads: THOMAS JEFFERSON 1743-1826. The interior roof is adorned with a rectangular block design. Four quotations topped with bronze wreaths are carved into the walls of the main chamber and an inscription around the lower edge of the chamber dome interior reads: I HAVE SWORN UPON THE ALTAR OF GOD ETERNAL HOSTILITY AGAINST EVERY FORM OF TYRANNY OVER THE MIND OF MAN. A bookstore sits on the east side of the main entrance into the memorial at the top of the stairs. An inscription on the wall above the entrance dedicates the memorial. A curved plaza runs about forty feet from the bottom of the memorial steps to the edge of the Tidal Basin. Views north show the Washington Monument rising from beyond cherry blossom trees ringing the calm waters of the Tidal Basin. END OF DESCRIPTION
A large white memorial. The back of the memorial is a spherical structure surrounding a tall man in the center. The front of the memorial has large pillars that holds the triangular top of the memorial.
This bronze designed by Rudulph Evans depicts Thomas Jefferson holding a rolled piece of paper, suggesting his stature as a man of words. Head to the rear of the statue to find hidden features including crops and books that serve as the foundation of Jefferson's worldview.
(310 words)<br />The Thomas Jefferson Memorial sits along the south edge of the Tidal Basin in West Potomac Park in Washington, DC<br />The memorial building is a circular, open-air structure featuring a shallow dome supported by a circular colonnade composed of twenty-six columns. An additional twelve columns support the north portico, and four columns stand in each of the memorials four openings to the north, south, east and west. A sculpture set in the triangular roof line of the memorial's north side depicts five men, two seated on either side of a man standing at a large document laid across a table.<br />The memorial is constructed of white marble and rests upon a series of granite and marble-stepped terraces. A flight of granite and marble stairs and platforms, flanked by granite buttresses, lead up from the Tidal Basin. A silhouette of tall figure can be seen standing inside through the columns of the memorial.<br />Set in the center of the domed main chamber is a nineteen-foot tall bronze statue of Thomas Jefferson in a long fur-collared coat standing atop a six-foot tall black granite pedestal. Jefferson's left foot is set forward slightly and he holds rolled up papers in his left hand. His right hand holds a quill pen. Set behind the statue's right foot are two column capitals, partially hidden by the back of Jefferson's long coat. An inscription on the face of the pedestal base reads:<br />THOMAS JEFFERSON<br />1743-1826<br />An inscription on the left edge of the statue base reads:<br />R. EVANS<br />The interior roof is adorned with a rectangular block design. Four quotations topped with bronze wreaths are carved into the walls of the main chamber and an inscription around the lower edge of the chamber dome interior reads:<br />I HAVE SWORN UPON THE ALTAR OF GOD ETERNAL HOSTILITY AGAINST EVERY FORM OF TYRANNY OVER THE MIND OF MAN<br />END OF DESCRIPTION<br />
Step off the Silver Line to take a walk on Theodore Roosevelt Island, or sight see from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. Each of the parks listed here are 1 mile or less from each metro stop (about a 20 minute walk) or a 10 minute bus ride away.
Blue Line - DC Metro
From the National Mall and Memorial Parks to the Mount Vernon Trail, travel the Blue Line to see what the southern portion of Washington, DC has to offer. Each of the parks listed here are 1 mile or less from each metro stop (about a 20 minute walk) or a 10 minute bus ride away.
Visit the Thomas Jefferson Memorial
Walk around the Thomas Jefferson Memorial or go to a ranger led program to learn more about Jefferson's life and work as a philosopher, a politician and a President.
Tours
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A Pantheon for Thomas Jefferson Memorial
Learn about the symbolism of the Thomas Jefferson Memorial and its significance on the National Mall.
