Jefferson Memorial in Washington

Set in the East Potomac Park on the southern threshold of the Tidal Basin in Washington, DC, Jefferson Memorial or Thomas Jefferson Memorial monument was built in the memory of Thomas Jefferson, the third President of the United States. Though the construction of the monument commenced in 1938, it continued through the Second World War in 1941. On April 13, 1943, under the presidency of Franklin D. Roosevelt (the 32nd President of the United States), the presidential memorial was dedicated to President Thomas Jefferson celebrating his 200th birth anniversary. The finished bronze statue was installed in 1947.

The 19-feet-tall bronze statue of Thomas Jefferson, which weighs five tons, stands erect with utter pride right in the middle of the colossal circular pillars. The interior of the memorial is embellished with the significant five quotations extracted from Thomas Jefferson’s writings that throw light on his principles. Tourists can participate in various ceremonies, such as Easter Sunrise Services and the Cherry Blossom Festival, which are held every year at the memorial.

Thomas Jefferson left a deep impact on the Americans as a leader, a president, and as an architect. Though the Jefferson Memorial monument has been a major attraction for worldwide tourists, it has caused some public criticisms as well. One such criticism concerned the removal of Japanese cherry trees from the Tidal Basin. The commission of Fine Arts had protested against the Roman Pantheon design of the Jefferson Memorial stating that it would vie with the Lincoln Memorial.

The eponymously named Jefferson Memorial Funeral that offers funeral and cemetery services and the Jefferson Memorial Hospital – an all-purpose nonprofit therapeutic and clinical hospital are two buildings constructed in the memory of the president.

Tips

• The visitors must keep an eye on their belongings for safety purposes.
• Flat, comfortable shoes and sneakers are recommended while walking in and around the monument.
• The parking facilities at the memorial are restricted during 12:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m. due to maintenance and cleaning purposes.
• The usage of the public transit system, such as the Metro rail and Metro bus, is highly recommended while visiting the place.

Jefferson Memorial Map

Facts about Jefferson Memorial

• Inspired from the Pantheon in Rome and the Rotunda at the University of Virginia, the Roman-style globular arcade was designed by John Russell Pope, Daniel P. Higgins, and Otto R. Eggers.
• There have been some few changes made to the Memorial since its tribute in 1943. One noteworthy change has been the replacement of the ‘plaster model statue of Thomas Jefferson’ with the present bronze statue.

Where is Jefferson Memorial?

Thomas Jefferson Memorial is owned and managed by the National Mall and Memorial Parks service. The Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport is located at a distance of about 3.2 miles from the memorial. It takes around five minutes by car via George Washington Memorial Pkwy to reach the memorial. The airport has a good connectivity with the National Mall, thanks to the efficient bus, taxi, and Metro services.

Address: 900 Ohio Dr SW, Washington, DC, 20242, United States

Best time to visit Jefferson Memorial

The best time to visit the Thomas Jefferson Memorial is at night as it looks really incredible then. If you wish to avoid the crowd, you may choose to visit during the wee hours.

Jefferson Memorial Hours

The memorial is open round the clock on all days. If you wish to meet the on-duty Rangers, the timings of their duty are 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.

Jefferson Memorial Tickets

You can enter the memorial site without spending a single penny, as admissions are free.

More on Jefferson Memorial

What are the coordinates of the Jefferson Memorial?

38.8814° N, 77.0369° W

Which are the famous attractions in Washington, DC?
United States Capitol, White House, Lincoln Memorial, United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, Washington National Cathedral, Washington Monument and Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.

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