Thomas Jefferson Memorial

After visiting the FDR Memorial, we continued our walk around the basin towards the Thomas Jefferson Memorial. We could see it from across the water as we made our way forward.

We stopped every so often to snap a picture when we found a particularly gorgeous view...we took a lot of pictures.

We were really tired at this point, having been walking around for the last 9 hours or so, but we were determined to see this memorial before we headed back to the hotel. We just kept walking and walking, and although we were getting closer, it still seemed so far away! The sun started going down and we got to see the building light up.

Getting closer, but still too far away for our poor feet. Haha!

Finally we rounded the path's last turn and we were right there in front of the memorial. It was so beautiful and impressive. The long walk to get here was definitely worth it.

The Thomas Jefferson Memorial was completed in 1943, but Jefferson's statue wasn't set in place until 1947. FDR laid the memorial's cornerstone in 1939. The steps and building are made of marble. The building sits exactly south of the White House, and Jefferson's statue looks towards the White House.

At this point, the gathering clouds began to sprinkle rain on us. We had made it just in time. We snapped a couple more photos, and then headed inside with everyone else as the rain picked up. That made it really crowded and noisy as everyone was inside, avoiding the rain.

Brian's favorite president is Thomas Jefferson, so he really loved this memorial. Jefferson's bronze statue stands 19 feet tall and weights 10,000 lbs. It stands in the center of the memorial with Jefferson's words written on the walls surrounding it.

I found a bench to sit on while I read the quotes. At this point my feet were done. Brian wandered around reading and taking pictures of each of the four quotes. The words were very stirring, and while reading them you couldn't help but think that this was another man inspired by God.

One of the quotes is an excerpt from the Declaration of Independence, of which Jefferson wrote the first draft. We got to see an original copy of the draft written in Jefferson's hand last July. It was a neat experience and you can read about it here.

Inscribed in the marble just below the memorial's dome, are the words: "I have sworn upon the altar of God eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man."

The domed ceiling, though not nearly as ornate as some of the other memorials and buildings we saw, was still impressive.

The memorial's interior sits open to the outside, and we felt the cool air blowing through, bringing with it the scent of rain. 

You can walk all the way around the memorial between the two sets of columns.

Night had fallen completely once we decided to leave. The building was brilliant all lit up against the dark sky.

On the top front of the memorial sit the five members of the Declaration of Independence Drafting Committee as they turn in their work to Congress.

It is a grand memorial, befitting the third president of the United States who did so much for the establishment and growth of our country.