The Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial in Washington, D.C., is located on the Tidal Basin. The memorial isn't really visible from the water and just barely from the walkway. Without the sign below, we might have walked right by it.
Compared to grander memorials like the Lincoln, Jefferson, and Washington, this one is decidedly low key. It's spread out over a long area with a lot of open space. The design maximizes accessibility and the ability to wander around, so it's a good spot for social distancing.
At home, my kids were surprised to find out that FDR was in a wheel chair. They hadn't seen any pictures of him like that. He hid the fact during his presidency, fearing a public image of weakness. One life-sized statue of him at the memorial does show him in a wheelchair.
The back of the chair shows how he designed it himself (also the fact that it was a repurposed simple kitchen chair).
The memorial had a flood earlier in the year which, ironically enough, knocked out the waterfalls and pools.
The memorial also has lots of quotes all around. It seemed like they were in chronological order and we entered from the back of the memorial. So we started with World War II stuff and worked our way back to the Great Depression era when his presidency began.
None of the structures is taller than one story, leaving the memorial virtually invisible from outside. The area is quite shady, making it pleasant on a warm Saturday afternoon.
Another part of the memorial is dedicated to his Fireside Chats, a series of informal radio broadcasts where FDR promulgated his policies and kept the public directly informed throughout the Depression, the New Deal, and World War II.
Nearby is a recreation of the bread lines from the Great Depression.
Another area features various sculptures, some quite cryptic. Too bad no park rangers were nearby to help explain the plan of the memorial.
The World War II area symbolizes the destructive character of war with a disheveled and scattered set of blocks.
His dog Fala is shown with the first statue commissioned for the memorial. This statue was controversial because it depicts how FDR hid his disability. A part of the disabled community was upset. The sculpture compromised by adding wheels...to the back of the statue. They are only visible by climbing around the back!
The last part we saw has a statue of Eleanor Roosevelt, the only first lady depicted in a presidential memorial. She is shown with the United Nations symbol in the background.
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| FDR Memorial sign |
Compared to grander memorials like the Lincoln, Jefferson, and Washington, this one is decidedly low key. It's spread out over a long area with a lot of open space. The design maximizes accessibility and the ability to wander around, so it's a good spot for social distancing.
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| View of the gift shop |
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| His name and years of service |
At home, my kids were surprised to find out that FDR was in a wheel chair. They hadn't seen any pictures of him like that. He hid the fact during his presidency, fearing a public image of weakness. One life-sized statue of him at the memorial does show him in a wheelchair.
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| FDR as he really was |
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| Another angle |
The back of the chair shows how he designed it himself (also the fact that it was a repurposed simple kitchen chair).
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| Back of the chair, with diagram on the bottom |
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| The plan of the chair |
The memorial had a flood earlier in the year which, ironically enough, knocked out the waterfalls and pools.
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| Dry pool |
The memorial also has lots of quotes all around. It seemed like they were in chronological order and we entered from the back of the memorial. So we started with World War II stuff and worked our way back to the Great Depression era when his presidency began.
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| FDR WWII quote |
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| More words of FDR |
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| Probably his most famous quote |
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| Presidential seal from the start of his rule |
None of the structures is taller than one story, leaving the memorial virtually invisible from outside. The area is quite shady, making it pleasant on a warm Saturday afternoon.
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| A big plaza |
Another part of the memorial is dedicated to his Fireside Chats, a series of informal radio broadcasts where FDR promulgated his policies and kept the public directly informed throughout the Depression, the New Deal, and World War II.
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| Fireside Chat area |
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| Listening to FDR on the radio |
Nearby is a recreation of the bread lines from the Great Depression.
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| Poverty strikes |
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| People in need of help and hope |
Another area features various sculptures, some quite cryptic. Too bad no park rangers were nearby to help explain the plan of the memorial.
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| Pillars |
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| Braille panels? |
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| Another closed pool |
The World War II area symbolizes the destructive character of war with a disheveled and scattered set of blocks.
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| WWII area |
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| Another quote |
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| More debris-like sculptures |
His dog Fala is shown with the first statue commissioned for the memorial. This statue was controversial because it depicts how FDR hid his disability. A part of the disabled community was upset. The sculpture compromised by adding wheels...to the back of the statue. They are only visible by climbing around the back!
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| FDR and his dog |
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| More of the memorial |
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| Another fountain not running |
The last part we saw has a statue of Eleanor Roosevelt, the only first lady depicted in a presidential memorial. She is shown with the United Nations symbol in the background.
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| Eleanor Roosevelt |
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