Place

Thomas Jefferson Memorial

Domed memorial with columns on waterfront.
The Thomas Jefferson Memorial at dusk.

Quick Facts

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Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826) was the third president of the United States, Secretary of State in George Washington's cabinet, and the author of the Declaration of Independence. Begun as a New Deal construction project, the Thomas Jefferson Memorial was completed in 1943. The imposing marble structure's columns and Monticello-esque dome bear selections of Jefferson's writings on several themes including religion, education, freedom, and government. Additional exhibits and restrooms are located on the lower level.

Inscriptions

Beneath rotunda  
I have sworn upon the altar of God eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man.  

Walls around statue  
Allmighty God hath created the mind free. All attempts to influence it by temporal punishments or burthens...are a departure from the plan of the holy author of our religion. No man shall be compelled to frequent or support any religious worship or ministry or shall otherwise suffer on account of his religious opinions or belief, but all men shall be free to profess and by argument to maintain, their opinions in matter of religion. I know but one code of morality for men whether acting singly or collectively.
 
God who gave us life gave us liberty. Can the liberties of a nation be secure when we have removed a conviction that these liberties are the gift of God? Indeed I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just, that His justice cannot sleep forever. Commerce between master and slave is despotism. Nothing is more certainly written in the book of fate than that these people are to be free. Establish the law for educating the common people. This it is the business of the state to effect and on a general plan.  

I am not an advocate for frequent changes in laws and constitutions. But laws and institutions must go hand in hand with the progress of the human mind. As that becomes more developed, more enlightened, as new discoveries are made, new truths discovered and manners and opinions change, with the change of circumstances, institutions must advance also to keep pace with the times. We might as well requite a man to wear still the coat which fitted him when a boy as civilized society to remain ever under the regimen of their barbarous ancestors.  

We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights, among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, that to secure these rights governments are instituted among men. We solemnly publish and declare, that these colonies are and of right ought to be free and independent states...and for the support of this declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine providence, we mutually pledge our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honour.  

Dedication  
Memorial to Thomas Jefferson  
Third president of the United States of America  
Erected under the direction of  
The Thomas Jefferson Memorial Commission  
Created by an act of Congress, approved June 26, 1934  
Chairmen of the Commission  
John J. Boylan 1935-1938 Stuart G. Gibboney 1938-1944  
Members of the Commission  
Charles O. Andrews Augustine Lonergan  
T. Jefferson Coolidge Charles L. McNary  
Francis D. Culkin Hollins N. Randolph  
Jefferson Randolph Kean George J. Ryan  
Fiske Kimball Howard W. Smith  
Fritz G. Lanham Elbert D. Thomas  
Joseph P. Tumulty  
Executive Agent  
Department of the Interior  
National Park Service  
Chief of Construction  
Francis F. Gillen  
Architects  
John Russell Pope  
1874-1937  
Associates  
Otto R. Eggers Daniel P. Higgins  
Builder  
John McShain

National Mall and Memorial Parks , Thomas Jefferson Memorial

Last updated: January 23, 2025