The Jefferson seen from across the Tidal Basin. Dedicated in 1943, on the 200th
anniversary of Jefferson's birth, it is made of marble and was
modeled after the Pantheon of Rome. On November 15, 1939, a ceremony was held
in which President Roosevelt laid the cornerstone of the Memorial.
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The circular,
colonnaded structure in the classic style was introduced
to this country by Thomas Jefferson. Architect John
Russell Pope used Jefferson's own architectural tastes
in the design of the Memorial. His intention was to
synthesize Jefferson's contribution as a statesman, architect,
President, drafter of the Declaration of
Independence, adviser of the Constitution and founder of the University of
Virginia. And no, the Memorial is not tilted. I don't know why this
picture is off-kilter.
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A look up the steps finds the statue of Jefferson.
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In 1941, Rudolph Evans was commissioned to sculpt the statue of Thomas Jefferson.
The statue of
Jefferson looks out from the interior of the Memorial toward the White House. It
was intended to
represent the Age of Enlightenment and Jefferson as a philosopher and statesman.
The bronze statue
is 19 feet tall and weighs five tons. Panels are inscribed with excerpts of Jefferson's writing.
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This shot from the side as darkness falls reveals the circular columns.
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This is the Franklin Roosevelt Memorial. The flowing water and
lighting scheme is quite beautiful in the growing
darkness. Each outdoor room is
devoted to one of
FDR's four terms in
office. The cameral shutter has to be open longer to take good pictures in
this light. The camera is working well, but should be on a tripod to steady
it. As it was, for longer exposures if I moved slightly the picture becomes
blurred.
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