Around DC: The Lincoln Memorial

Perhaps the most well known memorial in DC, the Lincoln memorial is definitely worth a visit.  This memorial is featured on the back of the Penny (until 2008) and is where Martin Luther King gave his "I have a dream" speech in 1963. 

The Lincoln Memorial was built in honor of our 16th President, Abraham Lincoln.  The memorial was designed by architect Henry Bacon.  Construction began on Lincolns birthday in 1915 and was dedicated in 1922.

The memorial is classic Greek, in style and measures 189.7ft by 118.5ft and is a 99ft tall.  The 36 columns represent the 36 states that were in the Union at the time of Lincolns assassination.   The columns are 44ft tall and 7.5ft around.  

The statue of Lincoln which sits inside of the memorial is 19 feet tall and is made of Georgia Marble.  Behind the statue, is an inscription which reads:

"IN THIS TEMPLE
AS IN THE HEARTS OF THE PEOPLE
FOR WHOM HE SAVED THE UNION
THE MEMORY OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN
IS ENSHRINED FOREVER."

Location:  Potomac Park, Washington DC
Price of Admission: Free

Around DC: Korean War Veterans Memorial

The Korean War Veterans Memorial is definitely the most haunting memorial in DC.  

The Korean War Veterans Memorial was created in memory of those who served in the Korean War.  Construction of the Memorial began on June 14, 1992 and was dedicated on July 27, 1995.

The monument consist of 19 stainless steel statue that stand 7 feet tall.  They consist of all members of the US Armed Forces (except the Coast Guard): 14 Army, 3 Marine, 1 Navy and 1 Air Force.  The granite strips between the soldiers represent the rice paddies in Korea.

The monument also includes a Mural Wall, United Nations Curb, Pool of Remembrance and Honor Roll. 

The Mural Wall consist of 41 panels and is 164 feet in length.  This mural consists of over 2,400 pictures from the Korean War.  The mural has photos from every branch of the Military as well as the equipment they used.

The United Nations Curb is a curb located north of the statues which displays the names of each country involved in the Korean war.

The Pool of Remembrance is a pool at the tip of the triangle which the statues stand in.  It is 128 feet in diameter and on it is etched: Freedom is not Free as well as the statistics from the war.  It is situated on a peninsula like area to represent the peninsula of Korea.

The Honor Roll is a computer which contains the names of all verifiable personnel who were KIA, MIA or POW's.

Location: Potomac Park - SE of the Lincoln Memorial off Independence Avenue.
Price of Admission: Free
For More Information: Here

*Photos are from July and November of 2009
*It's sad how few pictures I have of this!  I have to change that!

Around DC: The Vietnam Veterans Memorial

The Vietnam Veterans Memorial is one of my favorite memorials in DC.  The names of every victim of the war is etched into this 493 foot long wall.

In my opinion, The Vietnam Memorial is the most humbling of all of the memorials in DC.  They have papers that you can take and etch the named of family and friends onto that paper from the wall.  Every time I see someone doing this, my heart goes out the them.  It's a sharp reminder of the repercussions of war even decades after it is over.    I am so thankful to the men and women who make the choice to be this countries first line of defense and I am glad that they have been memorialized. 

The Vietnam Veterans Memorial was constructed specifically to honor the people who served.  Construction of the wall was started in March 1982 and finished in November of 1984.  

Currently, there are approximately 58,272 names etched into the wall.   The names are ordered chronologically by date and time of death (approximately).   

The Vietnam Veterans Memorial is located northeast of the Lincoln Memorial.  It is not technically on the National Mall.  Also, right by the Memorial is another Vietnam memorial called The Three Soldiers.

This memorial was actually placed here in 1984 because people so strongly objected to the concept of the wall.   One man is white, one is black, and one is Hispanic.  The concept of the memorial was chosen in a contest and this was actually the concept which came in third place. 

If you are ever in DC, The Vietnam Veterans Memorial is definitely worth a visit and is located just adjacent to the mall so it is within walking distance of pretty much everything. 

Location: Constitutional Gardens, Washington, D.C.

Price of Admission: Free 

Around DC: Washington Monument

Along with my Around MD series, I also want to start an Around DC series.  I spend a decent amount of time in DC as it is one of my favorite places and it's only a short drive from where I live.  I generally drive to the metro and take the metro into DC because it is so much easier and so much more convenient.  Today, I am going to start with something simple.

This is an obvious "must-see" for anyone who is visiting D.C. and it is pretty hard to miss. 

The Washington monument was built to commemorate our first president, George Washington and was finished in 1884.  The planning for the monument actually began before Washington was even elected President but it wasn't completed until the 21st President, Chester Arthur, was in office.  Also, the original design for the monument is much different from what we see today; it was more like a Pantheon design.

The monument is actually the worlds tallest stone structure and the worlds tallest obelisk at 555 feet tall.  When it was first constructed, it was the largest building in the world but it only held on to that title for a few years until the Eiffel Tower was built in Paris.

Unfortunately, the monument is covered in scaffolding right now and is likely to be closed into 2014 due to repairs which are needed to fix damage from the earthquake in 2011. 

The official address for the Washington Monument is :
2 15th St NW, Washington, DC 20007

April 2013

August 2011 - Women in the Military Monument 

 
Cherry Blossom 2010

March 2011

November 2009 - From behind the WW2 Memorial

Summer 2004 - From the Lincoln Memorial

Oh, and the reason it looks like the top and bottom halves are different color stone?  Because they are.  The monument was actually started in 1848 but construction ceased in 1854 and didn't start again until 1877.   This was partly due to lack of funds and partly due to the Civil War and other political issues.

Hopefully you've learned something new today!  I love learning about the different monuments in DC!

Locations: The National Mall
Price of Admission: Free
 More Information: Here