Lincoln Memorial

https://www.nps.gov/linc/index.htm https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lincoln_Memorial The Lincoln Memorial is an American national memorial built to honor the 16th President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln. It is located on the western end of the National Mall in Washington, D.C., across from the Washington Monument. Dedicated in May 1922, it is one of several memorials built to honor an American president. It has always been a major tourist attraction and since the 1930s has been a symbolic center focused on race relations. The building is in the form of a Greek Doric temple and contains a large seated sculpture of Abraham Lincoln and inscriptions of two well-known speeches by Lincoln, The Gettysburg Address and his second inaugural address. The memorial has been the site of many famous speeches, including Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech, delivered on August 28, 1963, during the rally at the end of the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. "...as in the hearts of the people for whom he saved the Union, the memory of Abraham Lincoln is enshrined forever." Beneath these words, the 16th president of the United States sits immortalized in marble as an enduring symbol of unity, strength, and wisdom. GPS Coordinates: 38.889321, -77.050166 Address: 2 Lincoln Memorial Circle, NW, Washington, D.C. Nearest Intersection: Independence Ave. SW & Daniel Chester French Dr. SW Lincoln Memorial at Dusk Lincoln Memorial at Dusk One of the most photographed memorials, no matter the hour. Lincoln Statue Close up Lincoln Statue Close up A statue comes to life Nations Capital Landscape Nations Capital Landscape An iconic photo of the Nations Capital Lincoln Memorial Statue at Night Marble statue of Abraham Lincoln sitting inside the Chamber of the Lincoln Memorial Statue of Abraham Lincoln sitting inside the Lincoln Memorial with a quote above "IN THIS TEMPLE AS IN THE HEARTS OF THE PEOPLE FOR WHOM HE SAVED THE UNION THE MEMORY OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN IS ENSHRINED FOREVER" Lincoln Memorial at Sunset Lincoln Memorial view from plaza steps View of the Lincoln Memorial from the plaza steps during sunset. Aerial View of the Lincoln Memorial A rectangular, white colonnaded building seen from the air Aerial view of the Lincoln Memorial Lincoln Memorial statue Marble statue of a man sitting on a chair Daniel Chester French's statue of Abraham Lincoln is the central feature of the Lincoln Memorial and is comprised of 28 pieces of Georgia marble. National Mall and Memorial Parks - 2018 Partnership Report Our generous partners and volunteers provided more than $34 million in philanthropic contributions in 2018 helping us fund preservation projects, programs, commemorations, and celebrations. Aerial photo of the Washington Monument and Reflecting Pool Secret Symbol of the Lincoln Memorial There is a secret symbol in the Lincoln Memorial. It's hiding in plain sight. Do you know what it is? Statue of Abraham Lincoln National Park Getaway: National Mall & Memorial Parks National Mall and Memorial Parks is a diverse national park with distinctive sites that excite and enchant visitors while they learn the history of our nation. Begin your journey through “America’s Front Yard,” home to some of the nation's more iconic memorials located in the heart of the nation's capital. Cherry blossoms framing the Thomas Jefferson Memorial in the distance District of Columbia: Lincoln Memorial Lincoln Memorial National Memorial not only honors Lincoln, but its design and its use by Americans over the years have made it a symbol of America’s democratic principles and beliefs. It is fitting that the memorial has been the site of some of the nation's most stirring civil rights demonstrations and events. The Lincoln Memorial James Garfield: The Great "What If" President Of the four assassinated presidents, James Garfield is the least recognized. Kennedy’s administration was televised. McKinley was in his second term following the Spanish-American War. And Lincoln was, well, you know... Lincoln? But Garfield falls into that hazy, post-Reconstruction period where nothing much seems to be going on; no war, no global economic or social crisis, no real era-identifying issue. James A. Garfield in profile. He is facing away from the camera to the right. Emancipation and the Quest for Freedom Although the abolition of slavery emerged as a dominant objective of the Union war effort, most Northerners embraced abolition as a practical measure rather than a moral cause. The war resolved legally and constitutionally the single most important moral question that afflicted the nascent republic, an issue that prevented the country from coalescing around a shared vision of freedom, equality, morality, and nationhood. Slave family seated in front of their house Lincoln Memorial Myths Almost since its completion in 1922 the memorial to Abraham Lincoln has conjured up several myths associated with its architectural details. While there are symbolic representations, some suggested symbols are pure myth. "Abraham Lincoln" by Daniel Chester French Lincoln Memorial Pathway Repair The National Park Service is improving exterior accessibility at the Lincoln Memorial by replacing pathways that lead visitors to the exhibits, restrooms and elevator of the memorial. Pathways at Lincoln Memorial under construction What did the presidents do on July Fourth? On July 4th, 1976, President Ford designated Valley Forge a National Park. Man in modern suit stands in a covered wagon and waves. Roof Replacement and Masonry Repair at Lincoln Memorial The National Park Service is replacing the roofs and repairing cracked marble at the Lincoln Memorial. The memorial will remain open for the duration of the eight-month project, though some areas will be inaccessible Damaged roof tiles at the Lincoln Memorial Memorial Day - Over 150 Years of Remembrance When did the first Memorial Day happen? The answer is a lot more complicated than you think! Black and white image, in memoriam is on a sign on top of American Flag buntings on a bandstand. March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom It was the largest gathering for civil rights of its time. An estimated 250,000 people attended the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom on August 28, 1963, arriving in Washington, D.C. by planes, trains, cars, and buses from all over the country. B&W photo of crowds on mall from lincoln memorial Memorials for the Future Memorials for the Future, is a competition that aims to rethink the way we develop and experience memorials in Washington, D.C. Memorials for the Future Logo Lincoln Memorial Design and Symbolism From the design of the memorial to the artwork and sculpture displayed within its wall, the Lincoln Memorial reveals America's esteem for Abraham Lincoln and its grief at this premature death. Photo of Daniel Chester French at work in his studio, with his sculpture of the seated Abraham Lincoln in the background The Civil War in American Memory America's cultural memories of the Civil War are inseparably intertwined with that most "peculiar institution" of American history - racial slavery. But in the struggle over Civil War memory which began as soon as the war was over and continues to this day, rival cultural memories of reconciliation and white supremacy have often prevailed. Therein lies the challenge as the National Park Service - a public agency - seeks to "provide understanding" of the Civil War era's lasting impact upon the development of our nation. Elderly Union and Confederate veterans shake hands at the fiftieth anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg National Mall and Memorial Parks - 2019 Partnership Report Our generous partners and volunteers provided more than $34 million in philanthropic contributions in 2018 helping us fund preservation projects, programs, commemorations, and celebrations. Aerial photo of the Washington Monument and Reflecting Pool Resurrection City “It was in our wallowing together in the mud of Resurrection City that we were allowed to hear, to feel, and to see each other for the first time in our American experience.” -Rev. Jesse L. Jackson. Robert Todd Lincoln and Presidential Assassinations Robert Todd Lincoln, son of President and First Lady Lincoln, had the misfortune to be at the site of three Presidents of the United States. Read about occassion and how Robert Todd Lincoln was connected. a young man in his early twenties posing for a picture wearing a suit jacket The Elections of 1860 and 1864 Abraham Lincoln was elected to be president of the United States in 1860 and 1864, just before and during the American Civil War. The election of 1860 shaped the future of the United States by heralding the end of slavery and marked by a time of unprecedented violence in the nation. Lincoln's reelection in 1864 determined that he would continue to guide the nation through the conflict. He was assassinated a year later in 1865, just before the end of the war. An 1860 campaign flag Marian Anderson and Constitution Hall The singer’s outdoor concert became a symbol for Civil Rights activism nation-wide. Anderson sings to crowd from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial on April 9, 1939 Plan Like a Park Ranger: Top 10 Tips for Visiting the National Mall Memorial Day weekend usually marks the beginning of the summer travel season. Across the country, friends, families, and individuals will head out to enjoy adventures and make memories. Of course, national parks - including the National Mall - are popular destinations. To help you #PlanLikeAParkRanger, we're offering our Top 10 tips to help you on your next National Mall visit. Text reading John Logan: War Hero, Public Servant, Founder of Memorial Day It is fitting and proper that General John Logan should be honored with a prominent statue in the nation's capital. He was an effective military leader who fought in many Civil War battles, a successful and active politician, head of the Grand Army of the Republic veterans organization, and is credited with establishing Memorial Day as a national day of remembrance for those who lost their lives in the Civil War. Equestrian Statue Honoring General John A. Logan at Logan Circle in Washington DC Beyond beautiful places, the National Park Service protects our nation's emancipation sites and stories As we celebrate Juneteenth, it is equally important to recognize the role that the enslaved had in their own emancipation. The National Park Service has the honor of protecting sacred places and histories for the American people, many of which explore enslavement, emancipation, and the fight for equality that are integral to the American experience. "With Malice Toward None...": Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address In his Second Inaugural Address, March 4, 1865, a re-elected President Abraham Lincoln wanted to unify a broken nation. With the end of the Civil War within sight, many people on both sides felt anger and frustration toward their fellow Americans. Lincoln attempted to rise above the divisiveness and start the process of healing. Heralded as one of the most significant presidential speeches in American history, its meaning and eloquence still resonate with people today. Lincoln Second Inaugural on the steps of the US Capitol Lincoln Memorial Education Series: The Dedication There were three main speakers at the dedication of the Lincoln Memorial on May 30, 1922. Chief Justice William Howard Taft, President Warren Harding and Dr. Robert Moton. Both Taft and Harding remarked on the memorial’s emphasis towards national unity, insisting that emancipation was of secondary importance and a byproduct of war. Dr. Moton, on the other hand, used the occasion to plea for racial justice and claimed the “greatness for Abraham Lincoln lies in this, that amid Lincoln Memorial Dedication Speeches Lincoln Memorial Education Series: Tale of Two Ceremonies Students will compare newspaper articles from two different sources describing the Lincoln Memorial dedication ceremony and decide whether bias existed in the coverage of the dedication. Students will discuss why newspapers chose to cover the dedication the way they did. Scene at the Dedication of the Lincoln Memorial Lincoln Memorial Education Series: The Censorship of Dr. Robert Moton Twelve days prior to the dedication, Chief Justice William Howard Taft, president of the Lincoln Memorial Commission, asked to review Dr. Moton’s speech. Finding it to be too radical he insisted that several sections be removed, particularly those that criticized the federal government for its failure to protect the rights of African Americans. In this learning activity, students will compare the two versions of Dr. Moton's speech and analyze censorship. Speakers at the dedication of the Lincoln Memorial Lincoln Memorial Education Series: Royal Cortissoz and the Epitaph Royal Cortissoz, an art critic and columnist for the New York Herald Tribune, was asked to write the words that appears above the Lincoln Statue. He believed the inscription should be simple, easy to remember and convey one great idea that would appeal to everyone. Lincoln Statue and Epitaph Series: What Does the Lincoln Memorial Mean to Me? These learning activities engage middle and high school students with the history and meaning of the Lincoln Memorial. Each lesson focuses on a different aspect of the Lincoln Memorial dedication in 1922 and used primary sources to make connections between the intended purpose and the actual meaning of the memorial. Lincoln Memorial Dedication Lincoln in the Illinois State Legislature Abraham Lincoln spent more years as an Illinois state representative than his entire time as U.S. congressman and U.S. president combined. His service in the state legislature was marked by both triumph and failure, and instilled in Lincoln the need to govern while balancing political idealism with political reality. Portrait Photo of Abraham Lincoln ca. 1853 Sea Level Rise in the DC Area Learn about current and projected rates of sea level rise in the greater DC area, based on local water level data collected by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) A tall white cylinder attached to a wooden pier with Hains Point in the background. Views and Vistas of the Lincoln Memorial Cultural Landscape The Cultural Landscapes Inventory (CLI) for the Lincoln Memorial includes an analysis of views and vistas. This characteristic played a paramount role in the design of the Lincoln Memorial structure and grounds, as a result of its association with the L’Enfant and McMillan Plans as well as its prominent location on the National Mall. Today, despite some changes to viewsheds, the Lincoln Memorial cultural landscape retains historic views and vistas. The Washington Monument stands against the sky at the far end of the rectangular reflecting pool NAMA Notebook: January Birthdays There are several important birthdays connected with NAMA monuments and memorials. How can you use the birthdays of historical figures to connect students with concepts like family, struggle, equality, and leadership? Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial statue in profile with Washington Monument in distance NAMA Notebook: Lincoln's Legacy What do your students know about Abraham Lincoln? In this issue of NAMA Notebook, we offer resources to expand your lessons about the 16th President and the Lincoln Memorial beyond the assassination. Epitaph in Lincoln Memorial My Park Story: Memories Beyond Measure As part of the NPS "Your Park Story / My Park Story" initiative in 2023, Director Sams shares his own park story. a young US Navy sailor stands at the rail of a ship overlooking a row of naval aircraft NAMA Notebook: Memorial Day Looking for end-of-year projects that use a multidisciplinary approach? Here are some ideas to incorporate the history and symbolism of Memorial Day using sites and stories from the National Mall. Vietnam Veterans Memorial wall with five wreaths in front, row of flags above NAMA Notebook: Beyond Granite Welcome back to school! During the summer of 2023, a temporary art exhibition asked artists to explore the question, "What stories remain untold on the National Mall?" How would your students answer that question? Temporary artwork in Constitution Gardens depicting large red fingerprint Enhanced Exhibit Space at Lincoln Memorial The National Park Service is adding an immersive museum beneath the Lincoln Memorial and other upgrades to the visitor experience. Construction is expected to be completed in 2026, in time for the 250th anniversary of American independence. Drawing of a visitor watching an audio-visual program at the Lincoln Memorial Guide to the Frank T. and Charles T. Chapman Collection This finding aid describes the Frank T. and Charles T. Chapman Collection, part of the National Capital Regional Office Museum Collection. Charles T. Chapman

Lincoln Memorial Washington, D.C. National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior It is ratherfor us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us- thatfrom these honored dead we take increased devotion to that causefor which they gave the last fillmeasure ofdevotion... that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth offreedom— and that government ofthe people, by the people, for thepeopley shall not perish from the earth — Abraham Lincoln Gettysburg A ddress November 19, 1863 Lincoln: The Person Abraham Lincoln was born February 12,1809, in a log cabin near Hodgenville, Kentucky, and became the 16th President of the United States, leading his country through its greatest trial, the Civil War. His life was full of personal tragedy and disappointment, but his belief in the principles of the Declaration of Independence and his experience gained as a state legislator, a lawyer, and as a Congressman, along with a whimsical sense of humor, gave him the strength to endure. Throughout his political career Lincoln strove to maintain the ideals of the Nation's founders. He saw slavery as hypocritical for a Nation founded on the principle that "all men are created equal." In an 1854 speech he said: "I hate it [slavery] because it deprives our republican example of its just influence in the world—enables the enemies of free institutions, with plausibility, to taunt us as hypocrites." As President he used the power of the office to preserve the Union. In freeing the slaves, Lincoln left a legacy to freedom that is one of the most enduring birthrights Americans possess. Lincoln Memorial Lincoln: The President By condemning slavery's expansion and maintaining that he would not interfere with it where it already existed, Lincoln won the presidential nomination of the Republican party in 1860. Upon his electoral victory, seven states of the lower South seceded and formed the Confederate States of America. At his inauguration in March 1861 Lincoln implored the South to show restraint and tried to dispel its mistrust, but he also pledged to do whatever was necessary to preserve the Union. The South responded by firing on Fort Sumter in Charleston harbor, April 12,1861. Lincoln, in turn, issued the call for troops to put down the rebellion, and four more states in the Upper South—Virginia, Arkansas, North Caro- lina, and Tennessee—seceded. The result was four years of bloody conflict. In January 1863 Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation to free slaves within the states in rebellion, thus raising the war to a higher moral plane. In January 1865 he secured Congressional approval of the 13th Amendment that abolished slavery in the United States. In his Second Inaugural Address, March 4,1865, Lincoln offered peace and reconciliation to the South. He was shot by an assassin on April 14,1865, and died the next day, six days after the surrender of Gen. Robert E. Lee and his troops at Appomattox Court House, Virginia. Bill Weems The Memorial to Lincoln Although Congress incorporated the Lincoln Monument Association in March 1867 to build a memorial to the slain President, no progress was made until 1901 when the McMillan Commission chose West Potomac Chester French designed the statue, and the Piccirilii Brothers of New York carved it. It is 19 feet tall and 19 feet wide and made of 28 separate blocks of white Georgia marble. Murals, painted by Jules Guerin depicting principles evident in Lincoln's life, are on the north and south walls of the memorial above inscriptions of Lincoln's Gettysburg Address and his Second Inaugural Address. Ernest Bairstow sculpted other features of the memorial with the assistance of Evelyn Beatrice Longman, French's 19-year-old apprentice. The building is constructed primarily of Colorado Yule marble and Indiana limestone. The 36 columns around the memorial represent the states in the Union at the time of Lincoln's death; their names are carved in the frieze directly above. The names of the 48 states in the Union when the memorial was completed in 1922 are carved in the exterior attic walls. A memorial plaque in the plaza commemorates the later admission of Alaska and Hawaii. President Park as the site for the memorial. This deci- Warren G. Harding dedicated the memorial sion expanded on the ideas of Pierre L'Enfant on May 30,1922. The principal address at the dedication was given by Robert Moton, who designed the Federal City and envisioned an open mall area from the Capitol to president of Tuskegee Institute. Robert Todd Lincoln, the President's only surviving son, the Potomac River. Congress agreed on a attended the ceremony. design for the memorial submitted by New York architect Henry Bacon and construction began on February 12,1914. Daniel Visiting the Memorial The Lincoln Memorial is staffed from 8 a.m. to midnight every day except December 25 by park rangers, who are available to answer questions and give talks. They also answer questions about other Nat