M E M O R I A L S

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M E M O R I A L S
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Memorial: #7

Dedicated: May 2, 1997

Design Architect: Lawrence Halprin

Highlights: 7.5 acres of space, 4,000 granite blocks, a multitude of inspirational sculptures, a myriad of famous quotes, chronicles the life and times of the FDR as America's only four-term President.

Lowlights: Existing controversy between the builders of the Memorial and certain handicap advocacy groups surrounding the Memorial's attempt to reconcile the history of FDR hiding his disability from public view.

Location: West Potomac Park, Washington, D.C, west of the Tidal Basin.

Hours: Open daily, 8am to midnight, closed December 25.

Admission: Free!

Link: Official Website

Rating:

(5 max)

Filling tenure as the American President during the throes of the Great Depression, followed by total immersion into the trying times of World War II, the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial pays homage to Roosevelt's extraordinary efforts at holding together an imperiled Nation.

Born of wealth and privilege, Roosevelt learned at an early age that wealth brought with it the responsibility to help those who are less fortunate. Fortunately, that lesson made a lasting impact, for Roosevelt brought to the White House in 1933 his great plan to pull America back from the brink of chaos, The New Deal.

The Memorial not only commemorates Roosevelt's grand plan to rescue a sinking America, its spacious 4-room outlay also pays tribute to his many other contributions during his 4-term Presidency; each room correlating to a specific term. Comprised of over 4,000 granite blocks, many of which are inscribed with FDR's famous quotes, the Memorial is the result of efforts by many commissioned artist, together contributing a variety of sculptures that tell the story of FDR's life and times as the 32nd President of the United States.

FDR's struggles were both public and private. His public struggles manifested in many ways, including his efforts to provide employment to the beleaguered masses, to change government to provide much needed social services, and to assist in the prevention of world destruction during World War II. His private struggles focused on dealing with his severe physical paralysis, resulting from contracting polio at the age of 39 and continuing on unabated until his eventual death many years later in 1945. Many have said it was the courage and strength gained early on in facing his illness that gave him the ability to lead the troubled Nation.

Subsequent to the Memorial's dedication, an epilogue was added in 2001 to the Memorial's entrance to better represent Roosevelt's illness. Seated in a wheelchair in his characteristic rumpled suit, pince-nez, and fedora, erection of the statue and accompanying inscription was an attempt to nullify complaints from a number of handicap advocacy groups who claimed the Memorial hid FDR's condition, just as FDR has done so well himself.

I've arrive at the entrance of the Memorial and I'm getting ready to enter its first room. Before I go in, I need to first check out good ole FDR who's sitting in a wheelchair out front. Interested in learning more about FDR and his 4 terms as President? Yes? Well, come along, let's get started.

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