My name is Stephen and I will be tour
guide for this quick tour of the
Jefferson Memorial. It's only as you
approach the memorial that you can start
to appreciate the immensity of the
structure. The Classical Revival memorial
was designed by John Russell Pope, a
noted architect who had already
completed two major revival works in the
District of Columbia when he was chosen
to design the Jefferson Memorial.
The memorial exterior comes in two main
parts: the main exterior piece is the
circular marble stairs that lead up to
the interior. The main platform has an
exterior colonnade surrounding it
Attached to the circular section is a
colonnaded portico. A grand marble
staircase leads to the main entrance.
This is an excellent spot to take a
photo. If this memorial reminds you of
the Pantheon in Rome it should come as
no surprise that Pope, as so with
Jefferson, was greatly influenced by this
great classical structure. As you move to
face the front of the portico you will
see the statue of Jefferson standing
inside, but first take a look up at the
frieze in the Piedmont. This sculputal
piece, titled the Drafting of the
Declaration of Independence, was created
by Adolph Weinman and depicts Thomas
Jefferson, standing front and center
alongside the 4 other seated members
of the committee to draft the official
declaration. Standing in the center is a
bronze statue of Thomas Jefferson
designed by Rudolph Evans. Evans was
tasked with depicting Jefferson
addressing the Continental Congress,
emphasizing his strength and character.
Jefferson is wearing a cloak given to
him by his dear friend Polish freedom
fighter
Thaddeus Kosciuszko, a veteran of the
American Revolutionary War, while holding
the Declaration of Independence in his
left hand.
Jefferson is posing heroically while
looking north out on to the Washington
Monument and the White House. Take a walk
behind the statue,
Evans included two capitals; one made of
tobacco plants and the other made of
corn plants. The Capitol design was
created by Jefferson himself. This is a
reminder to the visitor of Jefferson's
connection to and love of the land.
Between each set of openings is a
memorial wall, 4 in total. On the
southwest wall, the first wall that most
visitors lay eyes on and the most
recognizable, is comprised of the famous
excerpt from the Declaration of
Independence. And it's the writing on
this wall, along with the statue of
Jefferson that reminds the visitor
this memorial is also a memorial to the
revolutionary spirit that led Americans
to break with Great Britain. The
remaining walls, which can be found on
our blog post, cover Jefferson's views on
religion, education, slavery and
constitutional change. Last but not least
is the main quote that requires the
visitor to make a complete 360 degree
turn to read. "I have sworn upon the altar
of God eternal hostility over every form
of tyranny over the mind of man" This
excerpt comes from a letter that
Jefferson wrote to his friend, Dr.
Benjamin Rush, defending the
constitutional prohibition against the
government establishing a state religion.
Something that Jefferson had to fight
against in Virginia, which originally
established the Anglican Church as the
official state church. Now walk out to
the west entrance until reach the
stairs If you come at sunset there are
few better places in the city to take in
the sunset than the Jefferson Memorial.
Especially at the start of summer when
the Sun is setting over the horizon
directly in front of your view. If you
look past the tidal basin, you will see
the Potomac River and to your right, on the
hill is Arlington House in Arlington
National Cemetery. Finally take the
elevator or stairs down underneath the
statue chamber. There you will find
restrooms, a gift shop ,a bookstore and a
small museum with several exhibits on
Thomas Jefferson's life, qualities,
beliefs, as well as a few of his
inventions and innovations. The Jefferson
Memorial is open 24 hours a day but the
National Park Service Rangers can be
found there from 9:00 a.m. until 11 p.m.
daily except for Christmas Day.
