Last updated: December 1, 2025
Place
56 Signers of the Declaration of Independence Memorial
Quick Facts
Location:
Washington, DC
Significance:
Memorial to the signers of the Declaration of Independence
Amenities
2 listed
Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits, Wheelchair Accessible
The 56 Signers of the Declaration of Independence Memorial is a quiet, contemplative tribute to the delegates of the Second Continental Congress who risked everything in 1776 by affixing their names to the founding document of the United States.
Nestled on a small island, often called “Signers’ Island,” within a pond in Constitution Gardens, the memorial consists of 56 angled granite blocks arranged in a semicircle. Each block bears a facsimile of a signer’s actual signature, along with his name, occupation, and hometown — details that humanize the historic figures and connect their bold act to real lives. A small wooden footbridge leads to the island, and visitors are greeted with the final pledge from the Declaration: a reminder that these signers mutually pledged “our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor.”
The memorial was authorized by the Congress on April 17, 1978 (Public Law 95-260), following a proposal by American Revolution Bicentennial Administration as a way to use leftover funds from the country’s Bicentennial celebrations. Construction began on April 17, 1982, and the memorial was completed later that year. It was formally dedicated on July 2, 1984, the 208th anniversary of the vote for independence, as a quiet tribute inviting reflection on the people behind America’s founding.
For visitors on the National Mall, this memorial offers a peaceful, contemplative stop — a way to reflect on the courage and conviction of the Founding Fathers, framed by water, greenery, and the distant silhouette of the Washington Monument.
Nestled on a small island, often called “Signers’ Island,” within a pond in Constitution Gardens, the memorial consists of 56 angled granite blocks arranged in a semicircle. Each block bears a facsimile of a signer’s actual signature, along with his name, occupation, and hometown — details that humanize the historic figures and connect their bold act to real lives. A small wooden footbridge leads to the island, and visitors are greeted with the final pledge from the Declaration: a reminder that these signers mutually pledged “our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor.”
The memorial was authorized by the Congress on April 17, 1978 (Public Law 95-260), following a proposal by American Revolution Bicentennial Administration as a way to use leftover funds from the country’s Bicentennial celebrations. Construction began on April 17, 1982, and the memorial was completed later that year. It was formally dedicated on July 2, 1984, the 208th anniversary of the vote for independence, as a quiet tribute inviting reflection on the people behind America’s founding.
For visitors on the National Mall, this memorial offers a peaceful, contemplative stop — a way to reflect on the courage and conviction of the Founding Fathers, framed by water, greenery, and the distant silhouette of the Washington Monument.