News Release
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News Release Date: September 18, 2020
Contact: NewsMedia@nps.gov
Contact: Interior_Press@ios.doi.gov
Contact: Mike_Litterst@nps.gov
WASHINGTON – The National Park Service formally welcomed the Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial as America's 420th unit of the National Park System on Sept. 18, 2020. The memorial honors Eisenhower’s legacy as the World War II Supreme Allied Commander and nation's 34th president.
“As the commanding general in World War II, Dwight Eisenhower forever changed the course of human history in leading the United States to victory. After being persuaded to run for President a few years after the war, he was a transformational leader, peacemaker, rebuilder, civil rights advocate and fiscal hawk who helped make our country a beacon of freedom and hope for the world,” said Secretary of the Interior David L. Bernhardt. “As the stewards of our nation’s monuments, memorials and historical sites, we enthusiastically welcome the Eisenhower Memorial to the National Park System as our 420th unit. We will forever tell the inspiring story of President Eisenhower and his unparalleled legacy through this iconic memorial in Washington D.C.”
“As our nation commemorates the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II, we are pleased to welcome the Eisenhower Memorial to the National Mall,” said Margaret Everson, Counselor to the Secretary, exercising the delegated authority of the NPS Director. “In addition to honoring Eisenhower’s presidential legacy, this memorial recognizes his significant contributions to the Second World War and joins a nationally significant group of parks, monuments, and memorials that help tell these stories and will be protected for the enjoyment of generations to come.”
Designed by architect Frank Gehry, the memorial features three bronze statues of Eisenhower by sculptor Sergey Eylanbekov, one featuring General Eisenhower with troops from the 101st Airborne the day before the invasion of Normandy, another sculpture depicting President Eisenhower in the White House surrounded by civilian and military advisors, and a third portraying “Little Ike” in his boyhood.
The stone bas-relief images and inscription panels highlight passages from notable Eisenhower addresses and give context to the memorial's sculptures. Framing the entire memorial is a first-of-its-kind stainless steel woven tapestry by artist Tomas Osinski, which depicts the cliffs at Pointe du Hoc on the Normandy coastline.
The memorial is located in a newly created, four-acre public park along Independence Avenue SW between 4th Street SW and 6th Street SW, across from the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum. The site is surrounded by several federal agencies that have roots in the Eisenhower administration, including the Department of Education; Department of Health and Human Services (formerly Health, Education and Welfare); Department of Transportation; Federal Aviation Administration; NASA and Voice of America.
“Commemorating both Dwight D. Eisenhower’s role as Allied Supreme Commander during World War II and 34th President of the United States, this memorial takes its rightful place among the National Mall’s memorials that pay tribute to great American figures and military achievements,” said National Mall and Memorial Parks Superintendent Jeff Reinbold. “The National Park Service is honored to serve as the keeper of America’s story, and to care for this incredible venue from which to honor Eisenhower and his unique achievements in service to America.”
The Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial is administered as part of the NPS’s National Mall and Memorial Parks and is open to the public 24 hours a day, seven days a week. NPS rangers provide programs for visitors and answer questions. For more information and photographs of the new memorial, visit http://www.nps.gov/ddem.
About the National Park Service. More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America's 420 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.nps.gov, and on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.
Last updated: September 18, 2020