One of the Most Recognizable Washington DC Monuments

• October 4, 2009
• Rated 5 of 5 by stvchin from Tustin, California

The Memorial to our sixteenth President is one of the "must-see" attractions in Washington DC. The Abraham Lincoln Memorial is one of the iconic symbols of Washington DC, as well as appearing on the back of the five dollar bill. The Lincoln Memorial is located in the western corner of Washington DC at the edge of the Tidal Basin, adjacent to the Arlington Memorial Bridge. It’s very easy to spot, as it sits atop a slight elevation and is easily visible from far away.

The Lincoln Memorial is easily identified through it’s Greek-inspired construction. It’s a rectangular limestone and marble building surrounded by columns sitting atop an elevated base. The elevated base consists of several flights of stairs, probably 50-60 total steps. I did see a chair lift off to the side for handicap access. The seated statue of Abraham Lincoln is visible as you approach the front.

The front of the Lincoln Memorial faces the reflecting pool. Beyond the reflecting pool are the pillars of the National World War Two Memorial. And beyond that is the Washington Monument. While facing the Lincoln Memorial, the Vietnam War Memorial is immediately to the right.

I made the climb up the stairs to the Lincoln Memorial. As I went higher and higher up the steps, I could see the names of each state in the Union engraved into the top of the Lincoln Memorial, just above the columns. As I entered the front of the Lincoln Memorial, there is a huge, almost 20 foot tall seated marble statue of Abraham Lincoln. Inscribed into the wall behind him are the words "IN THIS TEMPLE AS IN THE HEARTS OF THE PEOPLE FOR WHOM HE SAVED THE UNION THE MEMORY OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN IS ENSHRINED FOREVER." The statue of Lincoln is very majestic, not only due to it’s size, but also in his appearance, as he gazes past the front, out towards the reflecting pool. It’s also majestic in that it memorializes what Lincoln achieved as the President of the United States.

Off to the right of Lincoln’s statue is a room with a copy of the Gettysburg Address inscribed into the wall, along with a mural of a slave being set free. Off to the left of Lincoln’s statue is a room with a copy of Lincoln’s second inaugural address inscribed into the wall. The interior is lighted by sunlight shining through the stained-glass roof. Since we went in August, the stained-glass roof has the unintended consequence of making the Lincoln Monument feel like a greenhouse. There are restrooms off to the side rooms.

As we exited, we took in the awesome view and understood why so many people were resting at the top of the steps at the Lincoln Memorial. A few steps down, we noticed a plaque on the floor of the monument commemorating where Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered his "I have a Dream" speech.

The Abraham Lincoln Memorial is definitely one of the "must-see" attractions. It’s a place to learn about an important part of US history, a place to reflect, and a good place to sit down and rest, with a magnificent DC view.

From journal Our Nation's Capital

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A Must for Every Visitor!

• September 30, 2009
• Rated 4 of 5 by mrsmadis0n from Greensboro, North Carolina

It was wonderful to finally get to visit such an important memorial. It was great to walk up those steps and see the wonderful memorial they have created for Abraham Lincoln.

Really enjoyed it!

From journal History and Fun

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Hello Mr Lincoln!

• July 8, 2009
• Rated 5 of 5 by tartlette from Bath, United Kingdom

On a recent trip to the States I stopped in Washington DC for a day on the way home. We wanted to pack in as much as possible. I was with my Mum, Dad and aunt and although Mum, Dad and I had all been to Washington before, my aunt hadn't so we wanted to show her all the main tourist sites. I think the Lincoln memorial is one of the iconic symbols of Washington and so was high on our list.

SOME HISTORY:
As a History teacher I always feel I should add a little information here! The Lincoln memorial commemorates Abraham Lincoln (yes the clue was in the title!). Abe (to his friends) was the 16th President of the USA and is famous for many reasons, most notably, getting assassinated! He was also President during the American Civil War, gave the Gettysburg Address and emancipated the American slave population.

The Memorial was planned from 1867 (two years after Lincoln's death) but the was not started until 1914 and wasn't finished until 1922 (they take their time these Americans!). Since then its become a bit of an American landmark and features on the one cent coin and five dollar bill. It was also the site for various political rallies, including being the location for Martin Luther King's 'I Have a Dream' Speech.

GETTING THERE:
Obviously there is first the task of getting to Washington itself. The main airport is Dulles International and flights can be caught with lots of airlines there from the UK. Once in Washington the Memorial is pretty hard to miss as Washington itself is fairly small.

Parking close to the Memorial is practically impossible (especially for us as our visit coincided with that of the Pope!). If you don't mind a little walk then you can park on the roadside in certain parts of the city. However, my aunt was recovering from a broken foot so walking a long way wasn't an option.

We went on one of the tour buses and if you're only in DC for a short stay I would recommend one of these - they stop outside most of the attractions and give you lots of extra information that you don't get driving yourself around. You can also get to the Memorial using local bus routes and metro.

ADMISSION AND OPENING:
The Memorial is open 24 hours a day, every day. There are park rangers (it is run by the National Park Service) available from 9.30am - 11.30pm. The Memorial is completely free (always a bonus with me!).

THE EXPERIENCE:
There are two ways of getting into the Memorial. The first is up all the steps at the front or there is a lift. We used the lift due to aunt's foot. The lift entrance is to the left of the steps as you look at the Memorial. In the lift entrance there are some displays and this is also where the toilets are. The displays are well worth a look, even if you're not planning on using the lift. There is information on the design and building of the Memorial. There is also a display about the Civil Rights movement in America, especially about the 'I Have a Dream' speech. I found this part very interesting as a History teacher and the rest of my family were fascinated because they could remember the speech being made from that spot (although my aunt who couldn't remember it claimed she must have been out that day.....! I think not paying attention was a more likely explanation!).

Once you get off the lift upstairs there is a huge space where Abe sits. He is walled in on three sides and sits looking through a row of columns onto the Mall, with the Washington Monument and Capitol Hill beyond. The walls are decorated and inscribed. On one side is the Gettysburg Address (four score and seven years ago....) and the other side has Lincoln's second inaugural address on it.

Lincoln himself sits in the middle and is around 6 metres tall and 6 metres wide. Needless to say he makes his presence felt. He is carved from marble. You can't get too close to Abe as he is surrounded by barriers.

There is an absolutely tiny shop to the left as you look out of the memorial. It sells books and posters to do with the Memorial, Lincoln, Martin Luther King and general American History. I picked up some postcards and copies of the 'I Have a Dream' speech and the Declaration of Independence for teaching. I also picked up a list of the coincidences between Lincoln and JFK's deaths. Some of them are quite spooky (although some of them are a bit tenuous) so look those up if you get a chance.

WORTH A VISIT?
Definitely! The Memorial is one of the icons of Washington and I think is one of those places you have to go to. You won't stay there long because realistically the attraction is just a big statue! As the Memorial is free you can stay 10 minutes without worrying that you haven't got your money's worth. So if you're in Washington pop in and have your photo taken with Abe!

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Abraham Lincoln Memorial

• August 12, 2007
• Rated 5 of 5 by McCoyWSP from W St Paul, Minnesota

From journal Washington in the Heat

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Abraham Lincoln Memorial

• May 28, 2007
• Rated 5 of 5 by mh75 from Harrisonburg, Virginia

Setting at the west end of the National Mall, this monument is one awe-inspiring tribute to one of America's greatest Presidents. Deceptive in its size, from afar, it does look large, but as you get closer, you are struck by the size of the seated statue of Lincoln and the inside of the memorial itself. Words from Lincoln himself are set into the walls on either side of the statue from his Second Inaugural Address as well as the Gettysburg Address.

Listen while inside the memorial though and you will hear silence lest the footsteps of those around you. Solemn in its tribute, the memorial begs for silence as its tribute to the man known as Lincoln.

Upon walking out of the memorial, you are once again struck by an incredible view only possible in D.C., yet seen in hundreds of movies. That is the view of the Washington Monument and WWII Memorial to the east looking back toward the U.S. Capitol, all of which reverberates in the Reflecting Pool. So incredible is the view that you might miss the inscribed mention on the floor of the outside of the monument that indicates where M.L. King Jr. gave his "I have a Dream" speech in 1963.

Truly not a site to be missed, the Memorial is also within walking distance of the WWII, Vietnam and Korean War Memorials and Washington Monument.

From journal Business Trip to Washington D.C.

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