The Presidential Memorials
During our tours, we had the opportunity to visit the Lincoln, Jefferson, and FDR Memorials.  We also saw the Washington Monument from a distance.  Each of these structures was impressive in its own right.

Lincoln | Jefferson | FDR
 
 
 

Lincoln Memorial
The Lincoln Memorial at night
In Ford's Theater, I asked about the hands from the life-mask made of Lincoln before he died. 
Take a look at the picture to the right.  See the hands?  Now compare the hands to the hands on the memorial.
The left hands are the same, but the right ones are different.  Why?  The artist wanted to use the cast of Lincoln's real hands, but he wanted one hand on the statue to be a fist - to represent war - and the other to be open, representing peace.  Lincoln, however, did not cooperate: he held a broom in his right hand, so that cast couldn't be used!  Instead, the artist had to find another hand to use as a model on the sculpture.  Whose hand did he find?  His own!
Sitting at Lincoln Memorial
Washington Monument, and the reflecting pool, as seen from Lincoln Memorial
Same view, closer to the pool.
Smile!
To learn more about the Lincoln Memorial, please visit this site.
 
 

Jefferson Memorial
The Memorial at night.  Jefferson faces the Capitol, so he can keep an eye on the politicians...
Doctor Love and the crew ham it up for the camera
Leah catches a near-fatal case of Saturday Night Fever.
The quiet of the water and the Memorial at night
To learn more about the Jefferson Memorial, please visit this site.

The FDR Memorial
This memorial is truly spectacular.  Separated into several outdoor chambers, the memorial traces FDR's career and life.  Each chamber features quotes and sculptures that reflect that phase of his life, and also running water.  When he and the nation faced intensely difficult times, the water is choppy and roars over rocks.  When it is a time of quiet, the water is calm.  At his death and the end of World War II, the water is still and clear, reflecting the image of his funerary caisson.

Also note that he is shown with his beloved dog, and that he is seated - with his cloak covering his wheelchair.  This was a major point of contention.  Various interest groups argued that his wheelchair should be visible - but FDR himself tried to keep it hidden.  Do we remain true to history or alter it to reflect modern attitudes?  As a historian, I agree with the final outcome you see here.
Standing in the bread lines of the Great Depression
Posing before one of the water sculptures
Eleanor.  FDR's Memorial is the only one to also include his wife.
FDR's words on the value of work.  Some things are timeless.
 
To learn more about this memorial, please visit this site.

 
 
 

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