Background
The Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial in Washington D.C. stands as a reminder of the enduring legacy of one of America’s most influential presidents. Spanning 7.5 acres along the picturesque Tidal Basin, this monument is in remembrance to Franklin Delano Roosevelt, the 32nd President of the United States, whose leadership reshaped the nation during some of its most difficult years. Roosevelt was born in 1882 into a very prominent family. Later on in life, he faced an unfortunate fate when he was diagnosed with polio in 1921. This disease left him paralyzed from the waist down. Despite this setback, he continued to participate in politics, and eventually became the President in 1933. During his time as President, Roosevelt had to face many challenges and new creations such as the Great Depression, the New Deal, World War 2, and the establishment of the United Nations after his death. The memorial to Roosevelt in Washington D.C. is split into four different open air rooms, with each room representing each term of his presidency. Roosevelt served a total of 12 years in office, with the last year being his death in 1945. This is also the most terms served by any president in the history of the United States.
Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial, Washington, D.C., wallyg, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
The Memorial’s Design
Lawrence Halprin designed this memorial in 1974. He was selected to design this memorial, which funding started for previously in 1955. This memorial took over 40 years of planning before it was finished in 1997. When it was built, there was widespread admiration due to the innovative design and the representation of Roosevelt as a president. As the memorial’s designer envisioned, the monument is divided into four outdoor galleries, each representing one of Roosevelt’s terms in office. Through a combination of bronze sculptures, granite walls, and cascading waterfalls, visitors are guided through key moments of Roosevelt’s presidency. Halprin wanted this memorial to display everything Roosevelt was involved in, from the depths of the Great Depression to the triumphs of World War II and the establishment of the United Nations, the memorial vividly portrays Roosevelt’s leadership during pivotal moments in American history. The sections of the memorial represent each term Roosevelt served in order, and they highlight different key moments from Roosevelt’s presidency. The first section of the memorial covers the years 1933-1937, when the Great Depression was in full swing. The second section of the memorial covers the years 1937-1941. During this time period and second term of Roosevelt’s presidency, he created the New Deal, which was a series of programs, public work projects, financial reforms, and regulations. It helped to restore a sense of security as it put people back to work. It created the image of a regulatory state that could protect the interests of all Americans, rich and poor, and thereby help the business system work in more productive ways. The third section of the memorial covers the years 1941-1945 and the third term of Roosevelt’s presidency. During this term, World War 2 officially started when the United States joined in 1941. This section contains the most well known statue from the memorial overall, which features Roosevelt with his dog. The fourth and final section covers the year 1945, which was Roosevelt’s last term as president due to his unfortunate passing as a result of the polio disease. The highlight of this section is a statue of Roosevelt’s wife, Elanor Roosevelt, who became the first United States delegate of the United Nations in 1945.
The Four Sections
The first section of the memorial is known as “The First Inauguration,” and covers Roosevelt’s first term as president from 1933-1937. This section captures the optimism and hope of FDR’s early presidency. Here, visitors will find many inspirational and memorable quotes directly from Roosevelt throughout his presidency during his first term. The main feature of this section is a large wall that is inscribed with the quote “This generation of Americans has a rendezvous with destiny. I pledge myself to a new deal for the American people. In these days of difficulty we Americans everywhere must and shall choose the path of social justice, the path of faith, the path of hope, and the path of love toward our fellow man. No country, however rich, can afford the waste of its human resources. Demoralization caused by vast unemployment is our greatest extravagance. Morally, the greatest menace to our social order.” Roosevelt said these inspiring words during his acceptance speech. As you move through the first section, you will then encounter a wall near the exit inscribed with excerpts from Roosevelt’s first inaugural address, which immortalize his famous declaration that “the only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” This section serves as a powerful reminder of Roosevelt’s resolve and his commitment to confronting the daunting challenges facing the nation with courage and determination.
The second section of the memorial, covering the years 1937-1941, stands as proof of the impact of Roosevelt’s second term as president and his landmark achievement, the New Deal. This section serves as a reminder of the bold and innovative programs, public works projects, financial reforms, and regulations that Roosevelt implemented to fight against the devastating effects of the Great Depression. As visitors walk through this portion of the memorial, they will find a series of statues and quotes that depict scenes of hope and renewal. There are also many different waterfalls and other statues in this section. These symbolize what Roosevelt promised with the New Deal, which was economic security and opportunity for all Americans. The quote “We must scrupulously guard the civil rights and civil liberties of all our citizens, whatever their background. We must remember that any oppression, any injustice, any hatred, is a wedge designed to attack our civilization,” spoken by Roosevelt on January 9, 1940, shows what it was like in this era. This quote is on one of the walls in the second section of the memorial, and it emphasizes the importance of the action that Roosevelt had in safeguarding the interests of both rich and poor. One of the most well known statues in this section depicts a man sitting in a chair listening to the radio. This symbolizes Roosevelt’s popular “fireside chats” which he gave from 1933-1944. These chats were a staple radio broadcast for the American people during this time. Overall, the New Deal created the image of a regulatory state which was capable of protecting the welfare of all citizens while keeping a productive business environment. Because of Roosevelt, the New Deal laid the foundation for a more resilient and inclusive society, and it left a lasting legacy that continues to shape America to this day.
The third section of the memorial covers the years 1941-1945, which was Roosevelt’s third term. This section serves as a reminder of the United States’ entry into World War II in 1941. This section is the most popular and well known one of the whole memorial, and it captures the impact of the war on Roosevelt and the nation as a whole. As visitors walk through this space, they will find many different statues, quotes, and structures. One of the highlights here is boulders inscribed with one of Roosevelt’s well known declarations, “I hate war” This showed his strong desire for peace and his opposition to the devastation created by conflict. There are also more waterfalls in this section similar to the last, and they are a mark of Roosevelt’s experiences of the horrors of war. They are marked with inscriptions about the bloodshed, destruction, and suffering he witnessed on land and at sea. These reminders serve as a contrast to the popular narrative of triumph and victory associated with World War II, which offers a reflection on the human cost of armed conflict and the need for peace and understanding. Through these monuments and inscriptions, this section of the memorial allows visitors to remember the legacy of Roosevelt’s leadership during one of the darkest chapters in human history.
The fourth and final section of the memorial covers 1945 and the events after Roosevelt’s death. As visitors explore this section, they will be met with a statue of Eleanor Roosevelt, the First Lady who played an important role in Roosevelt’s presidency and advocated for social justice and human rights. Eleanor’s presence is a reminder of her efforts in women’s rights, civil rights, and international diplomacy. These were all proven by her position as the first United States delegate to the newly formed United Nations. As visitors exit this section, they will find a timeline of Roosevelt’s life, etched into the stairs that lead out of the memorial. These stairs allow visitors to reflect on the milestones and challenges of his journey as the president. From the depths of the Great Depression to the heights of victory in World War II, Roosevelt’s presidency was full of courage and resilience, which left a mark on the nation and the world. As visitors exit this section, they will have a deeper appreciation for Roosevelt’s leadership and knowledge of the ideals of democracy, equality, and freedom for which he passionately fought for.
Summary
The Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial in Washington, D.C. stands as a tribute to one of America’s most influential presidents, spanning across the Tidal Basin. This monument commemorates the life and legacy of Franklin Delano Roosevelt, whose leadership reshaped the nation during some of its most challenging years. From his start as a president during the Great Depression to his leadership through World War II, Roosevelt’s presidency was marked by his ongoing goals. Divided into four outdoor galleries, with each representing one of Roosevelt’s terms in office, the memorial shows some of the key moments and themes from his presidency. From his first inauguration to the realities of war in his third term, and finally to his enduring legacy after his death, the memorial serves as a reminder of Roosevelt’s enduring impact on American history and his commitment to the ideals of democracy, equality, and freedom. Today, the Roosevelt memorial continues to evoke a sense of reverence and admiration among visitors and the general public. For many, the monument is a reminder of Roosevelt’s leadership and legacy.
References
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