“a building that defied 19th century engineering”
Composed of circular marble steps, a portico, a circular colonnade of Ionic order columns, and a shallow dome, the building is open to the elements. Pope made references to the Roman Pantheon and Jefferson's own design for the Rotunda at the University of Virginia. It is situated in West Potomac Park, on the shore of the Tidal Basin of the Potomac River. The Jefferson Memorial, and the White House located directly north, form one of the main anchor points in the area of the National Mall in D.C. The Washington Monument, just east of the axis on the national Mall, was intended to be located at the intersection of the White House and the site for the Jefferson Memorial to the south, but soft swampy ground which defied 19th century engineering required it be sited to the east. The interior of the memorial has a 19-foot (5.8 m) tall, 10,000 lb (4336 kg) bronze statue of Jefferson by sculptor Rudulph Evans showing Jefferson looking out toward the White House. This statue was added four years after the dedication. The interior walls are engraved with passages from Jefferson's writings. Most prominent are the words which are inscribed in a frieze below the dome: "I have sworn upon the altar of God eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man." This sentence is taken from a September 23, 1800, letter by Jefferson to Dr. Benjamin Rush wherein he defends the constitutional refusal to recognize a state religion.
One of the most beautiful memorials in America. Visiting while the trees are in full bloom is incredible, but the Jefferson Memorial is moving any time of year. I personally like visiting here at night as well. Place really lights up in a neat way.
This memorial is beautiful and, as in the picture above, really majestic on a pretty night. Visiting at dusk is great, but they're open 24 hours so really you can visit whenever.
I love how open this memorial is. You can walk all around it inside, so it's a little less stuffy than like, the Lincoln Memorial.
Really beautiful - especially at night
Beautiful in the spring when the cherry blossoms are blooming.
I love the Jefferson Memorial. It is a little out of the way compared to the other monuments in town, so driving is preferred. The best part about this one is that you can walk all the way around, inside and outside uninhibited. There is also a cute little gift shop downstairs (little known fact!).
Seriously beautiful monument. You can take a nice walk from the Lincoln Monument to here and see the FDR and MLK memorials. It's a really nice walk during summer evenings.
Hands down my favorite of the D.C. memorials. It's a little off the beaten path (at least as far as memorials in the city go), but so worth it. I think the scene looking across the water from the memorial is one of the most beautiful in the whole city.
My favorite memorial in DC. It's just beautiful. Surrounded but the Potomac River it's perhaps the best designed building in DC. Standing under the dome and reading about one of America's most influential people is a must.
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Thomas Jefferson Memorial
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- Sun - Sat: 12:00 am - 11:59 pm
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