May 30th marks the 101-year anniversary of the dedication of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. While the structure is relatively young in the scheme of things, it is remarkable just how much of an impression it has left on American society, reflective of the significance of the man that it honors. Given this, it seemed like a good idea to take a look at the construction and dedication of this iconic American symbol.
It did not take long after Abraham Lincoln’s assassination for calls for the construction of a monument in his honor to begin. Indeed, although the Lincoln Memorial in D.C. is by far the most famous, smaller, local monuments and memorials were constructed for the fallen president prior to the memorial we know today. Efforts to construct a memorial at a larger scale in the nation’s capital, however, never managed to take off. However, momentum for the effort was gained at the turn of the century, and in 1911, Congress established the Lincoln Memorial Commission to go about planning a memorial for the 16th president. The site of the memorial was a major point of contention early on. The site where it now stands had only recently been reclaimed from the Potomac River, and there were feelings that the site was too far out of the way and a bit of a swamp. Regardless, the site was large enough to house the memorial and the LMC were eventually convinced that it was the best location.
Architect Henry Bacon’s proposal was chosen by the LMC as the design of the memorial. Bacon’s design was inspired by ancient Greek temples like the Parthenon. Bacon also chose to use several different types of stone during construction, taken from locations throughout the United States. This was done to highlight the significance of the Union Lincoln had fought so hard to preserve. To be placed in this temple was a statue of the president, along with copies of his Gettysburg and Second Inaugural Addresses carved into the stone. The structure was to have 36 columns, one for each state at the time of Lincoln’s death. Groundbreaking took place in February 1914, and the structure was practically completed by late 1919.
Work on the structure had gone so smoothly that an article in the November 2, 1916 issue of the Bridgeton Pioneer asserted that those involved thought it might be completed by the end of 1917. The project was delayed, however, after the outbreak of the First World War. One thing the article accurately predicted, however, was that “landscaping and grading is one of the biggest tasks in the construction of the memorial.” Indeed, with the completion of the statue in early 1920, much of the work that followed prior to the dedication was spent on landscaping, constructing the Reflecting Pool, and building walkways.
The statue was designed by David Chester French, depicting Lincoln in realistic detail. Originally intended to be ten feet tall, the decision was eventually made to have the statue enlarged to 19 feet tall so that it would better fit the interior of the memorial. French chose to depict Lincoln as he was in the midst of the war, weary and hardened. One hand is clenched in a show of strength and resilience while the other is relaxed, a sign of Lincoln’s compassion and desire for reconciliation.
Memorial Day of 1922 was set as the dedication day for the memorial. Although some work on the Reflecting Pool and lighting had to be done, it was considered ready enough for the public at that point that it could be properly dedicated (although it had been receiving visitors since the summer prior). As the May 26, 1922 Perth Amboy Evening News noted, the dedication was a big event. Not only was it to be attended by President Warren G. Harding and former presidents William Howard Taft and Woodrow Wilson, but also in attendance was Robert Todd Lincoln, the slain president’s son. The memorial, the paper declared, “is the most beautiful work in marble ever undertaken on this side of the world.”
Since its dedication, the Lincoln Memorial has gone on to become a must-see spot for those visiting D.C. Furthermore, the location has continued to be host to powerful moments, like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech, and the building has become an iconic American symbol, recognizable to people all over the nation and beyond.
(Contributed by Tristan Smith)
Sources:
“Army Engineers and the Lincoln Memorial, 1911-1922.” US Army Corps of Engineers. May 2022. https://www.usace.army.mil/About/History/Historical-Vignettes/Parks-and-Monuments/152-Lincoln-Memorial/.
Bigler, B. Philip. “Lincoln Memorial.” Britannica, January 9, 2023. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Lincoln-Memorial-monument-Washington-DC.
National Park Service. “Construction of the Lincoln Memorial.” Lincoln Memorial. Last modified May 18, 2021. https://www.nps.gov/linc/learn/historyculture/lincoln-memorial-construction.htm.
National Park Service. “Features of the Lincoln Memorial.” Lincoln Memorial. Last modified May 18, 2021. https://www.nps.gov/linc/learn/historyculture/memorial-features.htm.
National Park Service. “Lincoln Memorial Builders.” Lincoln Memorial. Last modified November 18, 2021. https://www.nps.gov/linc/learn/historyculture/lincoln-memorial-design-individuals.htm.
National Park Service. “Lincoln Statue.” Lincoln Memorial. Last modified March 29, 2021. https://www.nps.gov/linc/learn/historyculture/statue.htm.