Last updated: March 14, 2024
Place
Information Panel: Architect of the Great Society
Photo: NPS / Claire Hassler
Quick Facts
Amenities
1 listed
Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits
"Yesterday is not ours to recover, but tomorrow is ours to win or lose" - LBJ
The Lyndon Baines Johnson Memorial Grove on the Potomac is a living memorial, surrounded by a grove of white pines and dogwoods bordered by azaleas and wildflowers. The focal point of the memorial is a 19 foot monolith made of sunset red granite quarried 35 miles from President Johnson's Texas ranch home. The granite monolith weighs about 43 tons and is estimated to be one billion years old. The stone was chiseled to embody Johnson's rugged, dynamic personality. Surrounding the memorial is a broad grassy meadow that provides visitors a place for physical and mental rejuvenation.
The living memorial reflects the Johnson administration's commitment to preserving the nation's natural heritage. President Johnson designated 3.6 million acres of land as park land and signed into law the Wilderness Act and Clean Air Act. Around the base of the memorial are four quotes chosen by Lady Bird Johnson that reflect important elements of Johnson's Great Society program. One of the main goals of the Great Society was to promote the upward mobility of society and increase the quality of life for average Americans. Johnson's programs included over 60 educational bills and his signature "war on poverty" that created programs such as medicare, Johnson's first legislative accomplishment was the landmark Civil Rights Act of 1964, the first civil rights policy for almost 100 years that outlawed segregation in America. Over 1000 pieces of legislation became law during his 5-year administration.
First Lady Claudia Alta Taylor Johnson, known as Lady Bird, is famous for her nationwide beautification initiatives. When she served as first lady from 1963 to 1969, she championed legislation concerning pollution, conservation, urban renewal, and numerous environmental rehabilitation concerns. She is credited with raising the president's awareness of women's rights equality, furthering environmental stewardship, and promoting the war on poverty. After Lyndon Johnson's presidential term, Lady Bird continued to serve her country by holding advisory positions in later administrations.
Across the footbridge is an island named Lady Bird Johnson Park. The island was originally named Columbia Island because it is actually part of the District of Columbia and the waterway between the island and Virginia was dubbed the Boundary Channel. The man-made island was built in the early 1900s to facilitate the construction of Arlington Memorial Bridge. In the 1960s, Lady Bird Johnson took action through her beautification committee to coordinate the planting of over a million daffodils, a few thousand dogwood trees, and other native vegetation on the island.
The island is only one example of places Lady Bird worked to beautify in the District of Columbia. In 1968. Johnson's Secretary of Interior, Stewart Udall renamed this island Lady Bird Johnson Park to honor Lady Bird for her extensive work in revitalizing public parks and green spaces across the country.
The Lyndon Baines Johnson Memorial Grove on the Potomac is a living memorial, surrounded by a grove of white pines and dogwoods bordered by azaleas and wildflowers. The focal point of the memorial is a 19 foot monolith made of sunset red granite quarried 35 miles from President Johnson's Texas ranch home. The granite monolith weighs about 43 tons and is estimated to be one billion years old. The stone was chiseled to embody Johnson's rugged, dynamic personality. Surrounding the memorial is a broad grassy meadow that provides visitors a place for physical and mental rejuvenation.
The living memorial reflects the Johnson administration's commitment to preserving the nation's natural heritage. President Johnson designated 3.6 million acres of land as park land and signed into law the Wilderness Act and Clean Air Act. Around the base of the memorial are four quotes chosen by Lady Bird Johnson that reflect important elements of Johnson's Great Society program. One of the main goals of the Great Society was to promote the upward mobility of society and increase the quality of life for average Americans. Johnson's programs included over 60 educational bills and his signature "war on poverty" that created programs such as medicare, Johnson's first legislative accomplishment was the landmark Civil Rights Act of 1964, the first civil rights policy for almost 100 years that outlawed segregation in America. Over 1000 pieces of legislation became law during his 5-year administration.
"Where flowers bloom, so does hope."- Claudia Alta Taylor "Lady Bird" Johnson
First Lady Claudia Alta Taylor Johnson, known as Lady Bird, is famous for her nationwide beautification initiatives. When she served as first lady from 1963 to 1969, she championed legislation concerning pollution, conservation, urban renewal, and numerous environmental rehabilitation concerns. She is credited with raising the president's awareness of women's rights equality, furthering environmental stewardship, and promoting the war on poverty. After Lyndon Johnson's presidential term, Lady Bird continued to serve her country by holding advisory positions in later administrations.
Across the footbridge is an island named Lady Bird Johnson Park. The island was originally named Columbia Island because it is actually part of the District of Columbia and the waterway between the island and Virginia was dubbed the Boundary Channel. The man-made island was built in the early 1900s to facilitate the construction of Arlington Memorial Bridge. In the 1960s, Lady Bird Johnson took action through her beautification committee to coordinate the planting of over a million daffodils, a few thousand dogwood trees, and other native vegetation on the island.
The island is only one example of places Lady Bird worked to beautify in the District of Columbia. In 1968. Johnson's Secretary of Interior, Stewart Udall renamed this island Lady Bird Johnson Park to honor Lady Bird for her extensive work in revitalizing public parks and green spaces across the country.