Jefferson Memorial
Category: Landmarks & Historical Buildings [Edit]
900 Ohio Dr SW(between Francis Case Memorial Brg & I-395)
Washington, DC 20024 (202) 426-6821
15 Reviews for Jefferson Memorial
I probably have the least to say about this monument, but Jefferson was a great intellectual and this memorial is grand but falls short on somehow conveying how much he influenced this country's legal system.
A beautiful structure, no doubt. You should definitely visit it.
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If you've been here during the day and love it, you've GOT to check it out in the evening. That's true with most DC memorials (omg, WW2...!!). It can also be really romantic - a friend of mine proposed to his girlfriend here and made a "declaration" of his own! So when the weather gets better, be sure to check out this spot after the sun's gone down.
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Given the enormous impact of Thomas Jefferson on the founding and early decades of the United States, I think it's a shame that his national memorial doesn't get more esteem, especially given that it's location is more beautiful than most. I accept my own portion of shame for being a wimp for many years and giving in to friends and guidebooks who noted that while pretty, the Jefferson Memorial is a long walk and not conveniently near a dozen other tourist sites or a Starbucks. For shame! (My personal guilt is doubled because he is a distant relative.)
This trip, however, I decided it was time to buck up and visit. Timing necessitated a cab ride out to the memorial, but the $8 fare from Metro Center is entirely reasonable, especially considering the hot, muggy day and the cool, air-conditioned taxi. For those who need or want it, there's a small concession stand at the driveway selling ice cream, soda, and water bottles ($1.65); I recommend getting a water bottle if you plan to walk.
The monument itself is impressive, to say the least. Beautiful architecture on a well-landscaped site, looks out over the tidal basin and Japanese cherry trees. (see photo) The massive bronze statue (see photo) faces north, keeping watch over the White House, as though the Sage of Monticello were offering oversight and advice to the occupant. Many of the tour buses DO come by here, so it's not surprising to see several groups of schoolkids visiting as I did. I certainly recommend pausing near them to admire the grandeur of the marble columns while eavesdropping on the history lesson provided by the teachers. (Example: Jefferson was widely considered to know everything there was to know at the end of the 18th century--scientific, philosophical, political, etc. Supposedly, JFK even remarked to a White House gathering of Nobel laureates and other top thinkers that no greater amount of living knowledge had been gathered in one place since Jefferson dined there alone.) The interior walls are engraved with excerpts from some of his great speeches, and the commanding statue fills the rotunda with Jefferson's gravitas. The clean, simple design has a power all it's own, even when inundated with rowdy teenagers.
The tidal basin not only creates a beautiful backdrop, but along with the trees, it also cools the air, allowing for a very comfortable walk across the Potomac River inlet bridge, which offers nice panoramic views. (see photo) It's intrusive but impressive to watch the curving, low-altitude flight approach of major jets landing at nearby Reagan-National Airport.
TRIVIA: According to NPS Ranger Dennis, the "most overlooked, under-appreciated aspect" of the memorial is the symbolism of the small features on the back of the statue. (see photo) The corn stalks represent his contributions to and respect for agriculture and agrarian society; the tobacco plants represent his strong work for the national economy (then based largely on tobacco); the books represent his scholarly endeavors, including selling his personal library of over 6500 books to the government to re-establish the Library of Congress after it was burned in the War of 1812; and finally, the vertical corn and tobacco combine with the horizontal books to form a Doric column, representing Jefferson's strong interest and influence in architecture. (He coordinated with George Washington, a surveyor, and Pierre L'Enfant to design and lay out Washington, DC.)
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Sure it's out of the way, but I still think it is worth visiting. The walk isn't as bad as everyone makes it out to be, so tighten those laces and check it out. There are some great views and the crowds are lighter than the other memorials, so you can actually spend some time to read the words and appreciate it.
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The walk was majestic and beautiful but tiring. Very exhausting.
Out of the Washington, Lincoln, and Jefferson memorials, this is definitely my favorite. I love how it's right on the water, and apart from everything else. It's way less crowded because a lot of people either can't figure out where it is or are too lazy to walk. It's very peaceful, scenic, beautiful, and moving. I highly recommend it.
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I'm slightly bemused that the Lincoln Memorial got an "average rating" of 5 stars...but somehow, Jefferson didn't quite measure up so well.
I sometimes wonder how America might have evolved as a nation had the Jefferson Memorial been situated on the Mall instead of a giant white phallus.
Memorials are interesting things. They serve to capture the essence of a moment, or a person, or a movement. They're static representations and symbols of things that were dynamic, and probably dangerous as hell to the people involved. And later, the memorial can sometimes wind up coloring the actual instance of the memory in question. Think Iwo Jima memorial, if you need evidence.
And...well...think Jefferson Memorial.
This place gives me goosebumps. Lincoln's memorial and Jefferson's both have this in common. Each evokes something almost poignant for its utter absence in modern 21st century America: erudition, elegance, and eloquence are words that spring to mind.
The portico is white marble, with a dome held up by Ionic columns. The design is so starkly simple, and reminiscent of both classical Roman construction and Jefferson's own architectural proclivities. The location--near the cherry trees, and situated on the tidal basin--make it slightly more arduous to get to. But as with most things that are less easy than the alternatives, it is so worth it.
Really, though, it's the words that are important here. I will reproduce them, because they're important to read, over and over again. They are some of the most powerful words ever penned in the English language. They are profound, and they are never...ever...going to be cliche.
Not to me, anyway.
On one side:
"We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights, among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, that to secure these rights governments are instituted among men. We...solemnly publish and declare, that these colonies are and of right ought to be free and independent states...And for the support of this declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine providence, we mutually pledge our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor."
And then across from that:
"Almighty God hath created the mind free...All attempts to influence it by temporal punishments or burthens...are a departure from the plan of the Holy Author of our religion...No man shall be compelled to frequent or support any religious worship or ministry or shall otherwise suffer on account of his religious opinions or belief, but all men shall be free to profess and by argument to maintain, their opinions in matters of religion. I know but one code of morality for men whether acting singly or collectively."
I'm going to skip the religion quote. Find it yourself. It's important to read, but it is this one that I think people need to read most often:
"I am not an advocate for frequent changes in laws and constitutions. But laws and institutions must go hand in hand with the progress of the human mind. As that becomes more developed, more enlightened, as new discoveries are made, new truths discovered and manners and opinions change, with the change of circumstances, institutions must advance also to keep pace with the times. We might as well require a man to wear still the coat which fitted him when a boy as civilized society to remain ever under the regimen of their barbarous ancestors."
How utterly, terribly, astoundingly astute. I marvel at the mind of a man, who, 230 years ago, saw things so clearly, even as he helped architect a revolution, a government, and then the laws and administration of that new country. He couldn't see the future itself: light-speed communication, rapid transit systems, air travel, civil rights, wars, religious developments. But he could see that he couldn't see them yet, and that the systems he'd created were...imperfect. They needed to change alongside the world, and adapt, and above all else, maintain the elements of human dignity that provide a "more perfect union."
I have goosebumps all down my arms again, just contemplating it.
A memorial's purpose may be to remind, but sometimes it is also to inspire awe. And this, among all the many hundreds of memorials I have had the privilege to visit in my few years on Earth, is far and away the most awe-inspiring place I know of. I willingly go back with minimal encouragement, time and again.
And so should you.
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"We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal..."
Jefferson's eloquent word are immortalized in the marble, a reminder of his strong hand in shaping our nation's ideals. The Memorial is neatly housed in a dome, surrounded by the Tidal Basin, and accented by a myriad of cherry blossom trees (peak bloom is around the end of March).
Tips: It's a long walk. Take the tour bus to get there.
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This is such a beautiful memorial. My wife and I come here late at night when much of Washington is going to sleep. At that time it is peaceful and serene to walk around the memorial and read his words.
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Right across the lake from the Lincoln is the Jefferson. This is a circular covered room with T.J. standing and his speeches surrounding him on the walls. People, like myself, can just stay and stare for an hour and the guy and his 4 walls of text. Cool thing is that he gets his own area, but not the same amount of foot traffic. Easy to park and see it, and walking from the parking lot to the memorial, you see a statue of George Mason chillin on a bench. Only reason I knew of him was from the NCAA basketball tournament.
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It's one of the nicest memorials (FDR is my personal fav) but again - its suuuuuuuuuuch a hike to get there. Or maybe i'm just a lazy ass... either way its not exactly close to a metro. gorgeous when the cherry blossoms are in bloom though.
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Jefferson's statue has curly pretty hair and he's wearing this fancy French-ish get-up -- not as pouffy as Seinfeld's shirt, but close. This week, the memorial is surrounded by delicate pink & white cherry blossoms. It's all very girly. It complements the more 'masculine' Washington Monument.
The words here are brilliant, but visit Monticello to glimpse TJ's less attractive side: his extravagant spending, enormous personal debt, and his holding of slaves. I recommend Joseph Ellis's bio American Sphinx http://www.amazon.com/... - a fascinating read.
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The poor Jefferson Memorial gets no love! Why have all the memorials out on the mall, and then stick poor Mr. Jefferson, our third President, out in the docks? Poor guy... Well regardless, the view from the Jefferson is awesome, and who knows, maybe he liked his privacy and as such the location is fitting.
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I think the Jefferson Memorial is the most beautiful of them all. The view from across the water is amazing and on the right day the reflection of the Washington Monument in the water is incredible. Be sure not to miss this amazing site in DC.
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I've always loved the shape of this building. Circular and open, with great views to all sides. I would be happy to have that monument, if I were Jefferson. Does anyone else think about these things? Lincoln's is impressive, but he has the festering reflecting pond as his view, and is too boxed in. Roosevelt's is pathetic.
Jefferson admired hellenic architecture and the hellenic pursuit of beauty, and perhaps he is the only President who could suit this marvel of a Dome.
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