The Thomas Jefferson Memorial is perhaps the most beautiful of the monuments in the National Mall and Memorial Parks complex. I definitely recommend viewing it during the height of the National Cherry Blossom Festival. Family travel took us to Washington DC at just that precise time. As you approach the Jefferson Memorial from around the Tidal Basin is it just stunning framed by hundreds of blossoming cherry trees. We viewed this monument while on our walking tour of the memorials in DC.
Cherry Blossoms frame this view of the Thomas Jefferson Memorial.
Location
The Jefferson Memorial is part of the National Mall and Memorial Parks and lies at the southern end of the National Mall, adjacent to the Tidal Basin in West Potomac Park.
Hours & Fees
The memorial is open 24 hours a day, however, rangers are on duty to answer questions from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. daily. There are no fees or reservations required for the Jefferson Memorial.
Bronze statue of Thomas Jefferson
The Building
The neoclassical building was designed by John Russell Pope and built by John McShane. Construction began in 1939 and completed in 1943. The bronze Jefferson memorial statue was added in 1947. In his design, Pope referenced The Pantheon in Rome and Jefferson’s own design for the Rotunda of the University of Virginia. The building is circular in shape and open to the elements.
Famous Words
You will find the historic words of Jefferson throughout his memorial. The most prominent is the inscription just below the dome…
I have sworn upon the altar of God eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man.
These words were taken from a letter wherein Jefferson defends the constitutional refusal to recognize a state religion.
Excerpts from the Declaration of Independence can be found on the southwest wall.
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…
You will note that the inscription reads inalienable, not unalienable, as written in the Declaration of Independence.
Be sure to look around the entire interior for many other Jeffersonian quotations.
The Statue
The 19-foot-tall bronze statue of Jefferson sculpted by Rudolph Evans gazes out toward the White House. The excerpt from the Declaration is to the right of the statue.
Just for Kids
Kids can also be Junior Rangers at the memorial. The Thomas Jefferson Memorial is part of National Park Service. All of our national parks host Junior Ranger programs for children. Print out a copy of the National Mall Junior Ranger booklet for your child(ren) before visiting Washington DC.
For more information on the Jefferson Memorial, visit nps.gov/thje/index.
