An Afternoon at the FDR Memorial

An Afternoon at the FDR Memorial

By Bri Litchholt

The Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial is the perfect way to beat the DC heat and sight see all in one shot. The open layout of the memorial, dotted with flowing waterfalls, statues, and granite walls, is also wheelchair accessible. Visitors enjoy the opportunity to stroll through the physical embodiment of FDR’s presidency.

His story begins with the Prologue: visitors are greeted by a wheel-chair bound FDR. This statue was a later addition to the memorial because of its controversial nature. Some argue that President Roosevelt should not be rendered to a wheelchair because of the fact that he was not in one during his presidency. On the contrary, others disagree, saying that to have FDR in a wheelchair is a historically accurate representation of his later life. Ultimately, the latter won out and the statue was dedicated in January of 2001, four years after the opening of the memorial.

The first term of Roosevelt's presidency is expressed with iconic quotes from the former president engraved in towering granite walls that also act as a foundation for the scenic waterfalls.

The granite wall quotes trickle into the representation of the Second Term as well, accompanied with statues of the infamous men standing in the bread line and the grim-looking Great Depression Era couple. Additionally, the plethora of New Deals that Roosevelt established during his second term as president are manifested as columns and murals. Both features are peppered with engraved golden hand prints and braille, another demonstration of how the memorial is accessible to a wide range of people.

Last but not least, the depiction of Roosevelt’s Third Term is as spectacular as the first two. Here, visitors can snap a picture with a statue of Roosevelt’s dog and even climb up on the lap of FDR himself, all the while being surrounded by iconic quotes and calming waterfalls.

Before exiting, visitors also have the opportunity to stand side by side with the former first lady, Eleanor Roosevelt.