I believe I have found my new favorite place in DC! The Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial is located right next to the Tidal Basin, which itself is absolutely gorgeous. There are benches all along the pathway around the basin, and the pathway is covered with overhanging trees that provide much-needed shade from the DC heat. This beautiful walkway next to the water makes the trip to the FDR Memorial just as wonderful as the memorial itself! The FDR memorial is, fittingly, very long. Its length represents President Roosevelt’s exceptional 4-term tenure in The White House. Each of Roosevelt's presidential terms has its own little section of the memorial, and quotes from and relating to FDR line the memorial walls. Eleanor Roosevelt also has her own section in the memorial. She helped run the country while her husband was ill, and ended up making an impressive mark on history herself.
The best part about the memorial, however, is the breathtaking waterfalls throughout. FDR loved water; he always said that it calmed him and helped him to think. The waterfalls, then, help share the peace FDR found in water with memorial visitors. I spent quite a bit of the afternoon yesterday reading in the shade next to the waterfalls. The falls create a gorgeous sound and a spectacular breeze, perfect for enjoying a good book. The memorial is also far less crowded on average than other memorials, as it is quite a trek from any metro stop. The combination of waterfalls, shade, poignant quotations, and relative serenity create an atmosphere that I’m sure FDR would have cherished.
There are also guides wandering around the memorial who just love to share stories of President Roosevelt. I learned yesterday that FDR had a lot to do with the creation of the Jefferson Memorial, which is just across the basin from the FDR Memorial. Jefferson was always one of FDR’s role models, so President Roosevelt decided that he wanted the memorial to built by an architect of his own choosing, in the design he helped create. Some people complained about this demand and asked to have a contest to choose the architect and the memorial design. FDR replied that sure they could have a contest, as long as his architect and his design were the winners!
Another important thing to mention is that the FDR memorial seems especially relevant to today’s budget debates. Each quote and each image seem to speak directly to today’s debt crisis. FDR was forced to deal with a crisis of similar proportions to our current one, and he is remembered for the grace with which he did so. Perhaps it would behoove Congressmen and women to take a trip to the memorial themselves sometimes this week!
I will definitely make time for another few trips to this beautiful memorial before my time in DC is up.
RC
The best part about the memorial, however, is the breathtaking waterfalls throughout. FDR loved water; he always said that it calmed him and helped him to think. The waterfalls, then, help share the peace FDR found in water with memorial visitors. I spent quite a bit of the afternoon yesterday reading in the shade next to the waterfalls. The falls create a gorgeous sound and a spectacular breeze, perfect for enjoying a good book. The memorial is also far less crowded on average than other memorials, as it is quite a trek from any metro stop. The combination of waterfalls, shade, poignant quotations, and relative serenity create an atmosphere that I’m sure FDR would have cherished.
There are also guides wandering around the memorial who just love to share stories of President Roosevelt. I learned yesterday that FDR had a lot to do with the creation of the Jefferson Memorial, which is just across the basin from the FDR Memorial. Jefferson was always one of FDR’s role models, so President Roosevelt decided that he wanted the memorial to built by an architect of his own choosing, in the design he helped create. Some people complained about this demand and asked to have a contest to choose the architect and the memorial design. FDR replied that sure they could have a contest, as long as his architect and his design were the winners!
Another important thing to mention is that the FDR memorial seems especially relevant to today’s budget debates. Each quote and each image seem to speak directly to today’s debt crisis. FDR was forced to deal with a crisis of similar proportions to our current one, and he is remembered for the grace with which he did so. Perhaps it would behoove Congressmen and women to take a trip to the memorial themselves sometimes this week!
I will definitely make time for another few trips to this beautiful memorial before my time in DC is up.
RC
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