• FDR Memorial bread line statues

    Franklin Delano Roosevelt

    Memorial District of Columbia

History & Culture

FDR

NPS PHOTO

President Roosevelt's statue as seen in the Third Term room.

Franklin Roosevelt remains intimately connected to the National Park Service. During a speech in 1936, President Roosevelt noted the special quality of national parks by stating that "there is nothing so American." He captured the essential truth of the agency by declaring, "the fundamental idea behind the parks...is that the country belongs to the people, that it is in process of making for the enrichment of the lives of all of us.” 

Did You Know?

FDR Statue

The waterfalls throughout the memorial are there for several reasons.  First, they are symbolic of FDR’s connection to and love of water (he was Assistant Secretary of the Navy during World War I).  Second, they block out some of the noise from the airport located directly across the Potomac River.