I have sworn upon the alter of God
eternal hostility against every form
of tyranny over the mind of man.
...Thomas Jefferson
The Thomas Jefferson Memorial was built to honor the author of the Declaration of Independence, first Secretary of State of the United States, third president of the United States and visionary for the founding nation.
The memorial building is a circular, open-air structure featuring a dome supported by a circular colonnade composed of 26 ionic columns. It was built between 1939 and dedicated on April 13, 1943 on Jefferson's 200th birthday.
Four quotations from Jefferson's writings are carved into the walls of the memorial chamber. A fifth quote is engraved on the frieze encircling the memorial's interior...the quote above.
Rudolph Evans' bronze statue of Jefferson stands centered in the chamber.
The Jefferson Memorial was built in a straight line with the White House. Architect John Russell Pope, influenced by Jefferson's taste in classical architecture, echoed the style seen in Jefferson's two most famous buildings, Monticello and the University of Virginia Rotunda.
The memorial is located on the south side of the Tidal Basin that is surrounded by cherry trees, a gift from Japan in 1912. In 2007, it was ranked fourth on the "List of America's Favorite Architecture" by the American Institute of Architects.
This was my 10 year old grandson's favorite memorial. He has good taste.
Nice on Black.
Such a fabulous memorial and capture! I love your narrative and it’s so great it’s your grandson’s favorite! I love that when you are driving by the memorials you see Jefferson from so many different angles. He was such a great American.
