Jefferson Memorial - The Tidal Basin, Washington D.C.

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Among the many memorials in Washington, this is one of the more prominent ones. Dedicated to the third president of the United States, it is one of the more photographed memorials in Washington. During the Cherry Blossoms, it is seen between the beautiful blooms.

The architect John Russell Pope designed it after Monticello and the rotunda of the University of Virginia. At the center of the dome is a huge bronze statue of Thomas Jefferson sculpted by Rudolph Evans. On the surroudning walls are excerpts from Jefferson’s major writings, including the Declaration of Independence and letters to James Madison and George Washington forming a "shrine to freedom" as Franklin D. Roosevelt described it.

The memorial was dedicated in 1943, four years after the laying of the cornerstone. Because of his importance and influence in American history, his memorial was built to remind Americans of his greatness in the nation's history.

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Modeled after the Pantheon in Rome and dedicated to America's third president, this is a very famous place to visit while in DC. Located in the Tidal Basin just aside from the National Mall, and surrounded by the beautiful cherry blossom trees - this is especially beautiful during the annual Cherry Blossom Festival when they are in full bloom. A 19-foot bronze statue of Thomas Jefferson, facing toward the White House, is inside, surrounded by tablets bearing his writings (not the least of which is the Declaration of Independence).

The National Park Service staff offer daily tours every hour on the hour from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.

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The memorial for Thomas Jefferson (the United States' third president and author of the Declaration of Independence) is a bit of a hike from the rest of the memorial located up and down the Mall. But it's worth the walk. Besides the building itself, there are educational exhibits about many of numerous Jefferson's accomplishments.

When I was there in June 2011, they were doing substantial repairs to the seawall next the memorial which detracted from the experience somewhat. You can see the construction in my pictures.

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Best take a photo from the other side of the water before visiting this wonderful site on the shores of the Potamac Basin and surrounded by Japanese cherry trees. Try visit in spring when the trees will be blooming, but actually every year the cherry blossom festival takes place here. The steps leading up to the memorial are marble, and the statue of Jefferson is outstanding, even as the building stood empty for four years while waiting on the statue to be finished. The building is open 24 hours a day, and a good time for photography is in the evening when it is lit up.

The site for the Jefferson Memorial in relation to the Washington and Lincoln Memorials was of extraordinary importance.

The Capitol, the White House and the Mall were already located in accordance with L’Enfant’s plan. There seemed to be no spot for such a project if the symmetry that guided L’Enfant was to be maintained. So the memorial was built on land reclaimed from the Potomac River, now known as the Tidal Basin. F.D.R. had all the trees between the Jefferson Memorial and the White House cut down so he could see it every morning and draw inspiration from it.

The rotunda had Columns in the style of the Pantheon in Rome which Jefferson so admired. Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence, spoke out against slavery and was George Washington’s secretary of state. Also, he was, John Adam’s vice president and our third president and he established the University of Virginia.

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Located by the Tidal Basin this magnificent Monument to Thomas Jefferson is superb..Dedicated to Thomas Jefferson the third President of the United States and recognised as one of the founding fathers of America..To be inside this monument with its highly polished marble is to truly enjoy the workmanship that exists in it..The large bronze statue of Thomas Jefferson looking east towards the White House is superbly crafted and highly detailed .This monument as with all these Monuments is administered by The National Park Service. This monument is ranked number four on the list by Americans of their favourite National Monuments

INFO: C/- WIKIPEDIA..Inspired so much by Thomas Jefferson, the then President Franklin D. Roosevelt appropriated 3 million dollars in funds to design and construct the memorial..Construction began on December the 15th 1938 and although construction being interupted by the Second World War the memorial was finally finished and dedicated by President Roosevelt on April the 13th 1943 the 200th anniversary of Thomas Jeffersons Birthday. Due to wartime metal shortages the first statue of Thomas Jefferson was made out of plaster and painted bronze and so, four years after the war it was replaced with a true bronze statue.The Statue stands 5.8 meters ( 19 ft.) Tall and weighs 4,336 kgs (10.000lbs)..

The Jefferson Memorial is dedicated to America’s third president, Thomas Jefferson. One of the greatest political minds to ever live, Jefferson is also called the 1-2-3 President, as he was the first Secretary of State, the second Vice President and the third President. Besides these accomplishments, he was the main author of the Declaration of Independence, as well as an accomplished architect.

Jefferson Memorial was built in 1943 to honor the third president of United States, Thomas Jefferson(1743-1826). It’s a nice structure, again in neoclassical style with Ionic columns, probably modeled after the Pantheon in Rome. I guess Jefferson would be proud and happy to see it as he loved architecture.

In 1947 a 19-foot bronze statue of T.Jefferson was added and placed inside the memorial.
The first day we took a pic from the tourmobile, and we were supposed to return the next day to stay a bit and check the Jefferson’s words that adorn the interior walls of the memorial. We were so tired that never made it to return…

It is open 24 hours with no entrance fee. Rangers are on duty 9.30-23.00

The Lincoln Memorial and the Jefferson Memorial, are two of my favorite monuments. Like many buildings in D.C., they are Greek in design, featuring columns, wide stairways and, of course, imposing statues as their centerpieces. The Lincoln Memorial is situated at the end of a long reflecting pool and the Jefferson Memorial sits across a tidal basin from the center of the National Mall, giving each their signature photogenic qualities, particularly as night falls and their ivory facades are washed in illumination. (Unfortunately, I was only 13 at the time and had not yet taken up photography as an addictive hobby).

The Jefferson Memorial is a monument built to honor the nations's 3rd President and founding father Thomas Jefferson. The monument was designed by John Russell Pope, construction started in 1939 and was completed in 1943 with the bronze statue of Jefferson added in 1947.