Monuments

African-American Civil War Memorial

This new memorial is a sculpture commemorating the 185,000 African American soldiers who fought in the Civil War. It is appropriate that the memorial be placed here in the part of town known as Shaw. Shaw refers to Robert Gould Shaw, the white colonel of the first African American regiment, the 54th Regiment, to fight in the Civil War as depicted in the feature film, Glory.
 
Arlington National Cemetery
Across Memorial Bridge, about 3/4 mile from Lincoln Memorial
Arlington, VA
Hours: Daily 8a.m.-7p.m. Free
Web: www.mdw.army.mil

America's largest national burial ground with more than 600 acres of landscaped hills. Among the thousands of white headstones are the graves of President John F. Kennedy, Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall,world champion boxer Joe Louis and the Tomb of the Unknowns. Free admission. Choice of self-guided walking tour or paid shuttle tour (information available at Visitors Center).

Benjamin Banneker Morial Circle and Fountain
LEnfant Promenade and Maine Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C.
Hours: Open daily dusk to dawn

Most noted for being a major contributor to the survey and design of the nation's capital, Banneker was a self-taught African American astronomer, surveyor and mathematician. He made the first striking wooden clock in America and published the Banneker Almanac in 1792, which was available in all 13 colonies. This memorial commemorates Banneker's contributions and accomplishments.

Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial
West Potomac Park near Lincoln Memorial on Ohio Drive
Washington, D.C.
Phone: 202-426-6841
Web: www.nps.gov
Hours: 8AM-11:45PM

The memorial, dedicated to FDR's presidency, opened in May 1997. It is divided into four outdoor galleries, one for each of FDR's terms in office. Water cascades are most impressive; children can actually wade in the fountains with adult supervision. Moving along either Ohio Drive or Constitution Avenue, you will connect to The Tidal Basin (site of the famous cherry blossom trees featured in the Annual Cherry Blossom Festival each spring)

Friendship Arch
Washington, DC

The "gateway" to Chinatown, this multi-colored structure contains seven thousand pieces of glazed tile, golden carved dragon panels and an engraved marble center panel with Chinese characters.

Korean War Veterans Memorial
Daniel French Drive and Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C.
Phone: 202-426-6841
Web: www.nps.gov
Hours: 8am - 11:45pm

Our nation honors her daughters and sons who answered the call during the Korean War (1950 -1953) at one of the newest memorials in Washington. Nineteen figures representing every ethnic background move toward victory in Korea. They are supported by a dark grey granite wall of 2400 faces of land, sea and air support troops. A Pool of Remembrance with the names of the Allied Forces at the base honors all who were killed, captured, wounded or remain missing in action.

Lincoln Memorial
23rd Street between Constitution and Independence Avenues, NW
Washington, D.C.
Phone: 202-426-6841
Web: www.nps.gov
Hours: Open daily

Gift shop on site. Located on the West end of the National Mall, this memorial was dedicated in 1922 in memory of President Abraham Lincoln. Thirty-eight Grecian columns surround a statue of Lincoln seated atop a ten-foot high marble base. Lincoln is flanked by engraved readings of the Gettysburg address, his Second Inaugural address and murals by French painter Jules Guerin. The statue sits in quiet repose facing the reflecting pool and the Washington Monument.

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial
Judiciary Square between E & F Streets, 4th & 5th Streets, NW
Washington, D.C.
Phone: 202-737-3400
Web: www.nleomf.com
Hours: Outdoor Memorial open 24 hours; Visitor Center next to the Memoral at 605 E Street NW: 9-5 M-F, 10-5 Sat,12-5

Located directly over the Judiciary Square Red Line Metro Stop, this memorial to slain law enforcement officers was authorized by Congress in 1984. Completed in 1992, the memorial features two elegant gray marble walls that display the names of more that 17,00 law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty. The earliest line of duty death recorded on the memorial dates back to 1792. Individuals honored on the memorial include officers killed by the infamous Billy the Kid, as well as officers killed on 9/11. New names are dedicated annually shortly before National Police Week. Designed by local architect Davis Buckley, the Memorial features two oval, tree-lined pathways of remembrance on which the names are engraved. Each of the four pathway entrances are adorned with powerful statuary groupings of an adult lion protecting its cubs. The bronze, 2,500 pound statues symbolize the protective roles of our law enforcement officers. An 80-foot long reflecting pool on the north side of the site promotes peaceful contemplation on the sacrifice of these officers. The Memorial Visitor's Center at 605 E Street, NW, houses law enforcement exhibits, historical artifacts, and a gift shop where guests can purchase commemorative items.
Free walking tours of the Memorial are available with 72 hours advance notice.

National World War II Memorial
17th & Independence Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20001
Web: www.wwiimemorial.com

Located between the Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial, this memorial honors the 16 million who served during WWII and those who supported the war effort from home. The memorial features two 43-foot arches, a 17-foot pilllar for each state and territory from that period and a field of 4,000 gold stars honoring the more than 400,000 who died. A series of bronze sculpture panels depict Americans at war, at home and overseas. Open daily except Christmas.

Thomas Jefferson Memorial
15th Street, SW on the tidal basin
Washington, D.C.
Phone: 202-426-6841
Web: www.nps.gov
Hours: 8 a.m. -Midnight daily; closed on December 25th.

Gift shope on site. This dome-shaped rotunda, erected in 1942 as a monument to honor the nation's third president, is in a serence location on the tidal basin.  Inside, a 19-foot bronze statue of Jefferson stands.  The monument is surrounded by a grove of trees making it especially beautiful during cherry blossom season! 

US Navy Memorial
701 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, D.C.
Phone: 202-380-0710
Web: www.lonesailor.org
Hours: Open 24 hours daily, Gift shop on site

Honoring the United States Sea Services this memorial includes towering masts, waving signal flags and tiered waterfalls. The Lone Sailor statue stands watch over a 100' diameter, granite map of the world. The Memorial is surrounded by 26 bronze reliefs representing Navy community groups. Military and reunion group ceremonies and military and high school concerts are held on this site during the spring, summer and fall. A terrific spot for outside entertainment. Gift shop has items for all ages.

Vietnam Veterans Memorial
Constitution Avenue & Henry Bacon Drive, NW
Washington, D.C.
Phone: 202-426-6841
Web: www.nps.gov
Hours: Open daily from 8:00AM until 11:45PM, except Christmas Day.

The black granite walls of this moving V-shaped memorial are inscribed with the names of the 58, 209 Americans missing or killed in the Vietnam conflict. Across the lawn is Frederick Hart's life size bronze sculpture depicting three young servicemen.

Vietnam Women's Memorial
21st Street and Constitution
Washington, D.C.
Phone: 202-426-6841
Web: www.nps.gov

This bronze statue, located in a grove of trees across from the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, depicts three women and a wounded man supported by sandbags and honors the service of women in the Vietnam Conflict.

Washington Monument
Constitution Avenue and 15th Street, NW
Washington, D.C.
Phone: 202-426-6841
Web: www.nps.gov/wash
Hours: 9a.m.-4:45p.m.; closed December 25.

This majestic obelisk is one of the tallest masonry structures in the world. The monument is a memorial to George Washington, our nation's first president, and was dedicated in 1885. It took 40 years to complete its construction due to lack of funds. In order to enter the Washington Monument, tickets are required. Free tickets are distributed by the National Park Service for same day visits from the kiosk on the Washington Monument grounds at 15th Street and Madison Drive on a first-come first-served basis. Hours for the ticket kiosk are 8:30AM to 4:30PM, but tickets run out early. Advance tickets are availalble for $1.50 service fee per ticket, plus a $.50 handling fee per order. Call 1-877-444-6777 or see www.recreation.gov.