The Jefferson Memorial is located in Washington, D.C., USA. It lies between the Tidal Basin and the National Mall and is situated in a city park area. It is famous for honoring Thomas Jefferson, the third President of the United States.
Jefferson Memorial Location Map, Washington D.C., Northeast
Top Attractions Inside Jefferson Memorial
- Main Rotunda – Grand circular chamber housing the iconic statue of Thomas Jefferson.
- Historical Inscriptions – Engraved quotes from Jefferson’s writings on the walls of the memorial.
- Reflecting Pool Views – Scenic vistas across the Tidal Basin, especially beautiful during cherry blossom season.
- Visitor Center Exhibits – Information on Jefferson’s life, achievements, and influence on American history.
- Guided Tours & Programs – Ranger-led programs explaining the memorial’s architecture and historical significance.
- Cherry Blossom Photography – Seasonal opportunity to capture the memorial framed by iconic pink blooms.
- Architectural Features – Neoclassical design details including columns, domes, and marble craftsmanship.
Jefferson Memorial Facts
| Official Name | Jefferson Memorial |
| Location | West Potomac Park, Washington, D.C., USA (on the south bank of the Tidal Basin, near the Potomac River) |
| Latitude & Longitude | ≈ 38.8814° N, 77.0365° W |
| Total Area / Grounds | ≈ 19.2 acres (≈ 7.8 hectares) including memorial & surrounding landscape grounds :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1} |
| Construction Period / Built | Construction 1939–1943 (groundbreaking December 15, 1938; cornerstone November 15, 1939) :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2} |
| Dedicated / Opened | April 13, 1943 — 200th anniversary of birth of Thomas Jefferson :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4} |
| Architect / Designer | Architect: John Russell Pope; Completed by firm Eggers & Higgins after Pope’s death :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7} |
| Architectural Style / Concept | Neoclassical, inspired by Roman Pantheon & Jefferson’s own appreciation of classical architecture; circular colonnade and domed rotunda design :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8} |
| Structure & Features | White marble memorial (Vermont Danby Imperial marble exterior; Georgia marble interior walls; Indiana limestone dome; pink Tennessee marble floor), circular open‑air rotunda with 26 Ionic columns plus additional columns on portico & openings, broad stairs down to Tidal Basin; interior houses 19‑foot (5.8 m) bronze statue of Thomas Jefferson by sculptor Rudolph Evans :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10} |
| Interior Inscriptions & Symbolism | Excerpts from Jefferson’s writings (including Declaration of Independence, Statute for Religious Freedom, Notes on Virginia, personal letters) inscribed on interior walls; frieze inside dome bears Jefferson’s quote: “I have sworn upon the altar of God eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man.” :contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11} |
| Purpose / Dedication | Memorial to Thomas Jefferson — third U.S. President, principal author of the Declaration of Independence, Founding Father; honors his role in American history, freedom, democracy and classical ideals :contentReference[oaicite:12]{index=12} |
| Surrounding Landscape & Setting | Sits on reclaimed land by the Tidal Basin; grounds landscaped with lawns, walkways, cherry blossom trees (gift from Japan in 1912) — site of annual cherry‑blossom season & festival. Landscape design supervised by Frederick Law Olmsted Jr.. :contentReference[oaicite:14]{index=14} |
| Managed By | National Park Service (as part of National Mall & Memorial Parks) :contentReference[oaicite:16]{index=16} |
| Access / Visiting Info | Open 24 hours daily for grounds; ranger‑led/visitor services typical 9:30 AM–10:00 PM; easily accessible by public transit (nearest Metro station: Smithsonian); address: 1100 Ohio Drive SW, Washington, DC 20242, USA :contentReference[oaicite:17]{index=17} |
| Time Zone | Eastern Time (ET) – UTC‑5 Standard / UTC‑4 Daylight Saving |
| Significance & Cultural Role | Major American national memorial and symbol of U.S. founding ideals — democracy, liberty and reason; iconic site for public ceremonies, memorial events, annual Cherry Blossom Festival; significant tourist attraction and part of Washington, D.C.’s monumental core :contentReference[oaicite:18]{index=18} |
| Official Website / Info Source | https://www.nps.gov/thje/ |
Distances from Jefferson Memorial to Nearby Landmarks
- National Mall – 1 km (0.6 mi)
- Washington Monument – 1.5 km (0.9 mi)
- Lincoln Memorial – 2.3 km (1.4 mi)
- Smithsonian National Museum of American History – 2 km (1.2 mi)
- Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum – 2 km (1.2 mi)
- United States Capitol – 4 km (2.5 mi)
- White House – 3 km (1.9 mi)
- Vietnam Veterans Memorial – 2 km (1.2 mi)
- Korean War Veterans Memorial – 2.2 km (1.4 mi)
- Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial – 0.5 km (0.3 mi)
- Tidal Basin – 0.1 km (0.06 mi)
- Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial – 0.3 km (0.2 mi)
- Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History – 2.1 km (1.3 mi)
- World War II Memorial – 2 km (1.2 mi)
- Pennsylvania Avenue / Downtown D.C. – 3 km (1.9 mi)
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