Lincoln Memorial Facts and History
The Lincoln Memorial is one of the most precious monuments of America which is seated proudly at the west end of Washington D.C.’s National Mall. Each year, millions of visitors arrive here.
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Below are a few facts and historical information you might not know about its legacy and construction.
- ) The West Potomac Park Was Disapproved by One Higher-Up As A Memorial Site Due To Its Criminal And Swampy Reputation.
In the early 20th century, when the Lincoln Memorial project was revived, there were many oppositions of its construction. The main one of them all was Joe Cannon, the Speaker of the House. The conservative and staunch “Uncle Joe” had numerous issues with this project. However, his main complaint was of the location and the proposed monumental design, which he felt were unworthy of the great hero Lincoln. He once told Secretary of War Elihu Root, “So long as I live I’ll never let a memorial to Abraham Lincoln be erected in that goddammed swamp,” which he referred to the proclivity of producing discarded dead bodies and marshy terrain.
2.) In Order To Get A Memorial Built And Opened To The Public, It Took More Than 50 Years.
After the leader’s assassination in the year 1865, efforts soon began to create a tribute fitting to Abraham Lincoln. Within two years of time, the Lincoln Monument Association was officially formed by the Congress. It began seeking skilled craftsmen to bring the project to life. However, the construction of this project was delayed until 1914 due to frequent squabbling about the details.
3.) You’ll Be Surprised, But The 19th Century Design Was More Detailed Than The Finished Product.
During Congress’s plan to honor Lincoln in the early years, it was entitled to sculptor Clark Mills to dream up the design. On one hand, Congress was not prepared, and on the other, Mills’s vision for the tribute involving a collection of 36 bronze figures (six on horseback) and a 12-foot likeness of Lincoln signing the Emancipation Proclamation, were all housed within a structure of 70 feet.
4.) A Proposed Alternate Location For The Memorial Was The Train Station.
It was suggested by Cannon’s Allies that the Washington D.C.’s Union Station (the main American transportation hub since the year 1907), could be a superior venue for the tribute to Abraham Lincoln as compared to the Potomac River. This relocation of the project to the railway station was originally approved by President Theodore Roosevelt but was backlashed by the American Institute of Architects which intended to develop the Potomac site.
5.) There Are Greek Influences In The Memorial.
Bacon picked up cues from the design of the classic Greek Doric temple and then approached the construction of the exterior building. Sources by the National Park Service claim that it was specifically based on the Parthenon. Reportedly, Bacon felt that “a memorial to the man who defended democracy should be modeled after a structure from the birthplace of democracy.”
6.) This Memorial Is Actually The Second Lincoln Sculpture Designed By The French.
A couple of years before starting on the Washington project, the French brought forth and showcased Lincoln’s bronze statue to the Abraham Lincoln Memorial Association of Lincoln, Nebraska. This piece depicted the President upright with his head tilted downward and arms joined at the waist. Similar had been the case with the later memorial, the base on which the sculpture rested was designed by Bacon. To this date, the statue sits on the grounds of Nebraska State Capitol.
7.) Lincoln’s Arms Rest On A Roman Symbol.
Did you know that the Lincoln Memorial was brought to life due to the collaborative effort of many artisans and designers? The statue of America’s 16th President was designed by Daniel Chester French. This statue was produced by a Tuscany family of marble carvers known as the Piccirilli Brothers. Moreover, the monument building was created by architect Henry Bacon. The Roman influence was injected into this project by the Italian Piccirillis, modeling the pillars upon which Lincoln’s arms rest. This symbolism has represented power for histories.
8.) More Than 1/3 Of The Monument Is Based Underground.
It is surprising to note that when viewers bask in the 202-foot-wide and 99-foot-tall Lincoln Memorial, what they really see is just a half of the construction. There is a piece of foundation rooted beneath the ground. This area extends 66 feet into the earth at the deepest point in order to support the weight of the magnificent marble structure.
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You can read the words of Royal Cortissoz carved into the wall, directly behind the Lincoln statue which says: “In this temple as in the hearts of the people for whom he saved the union the memory of Abraham Lincoln is enshrined forever.”
Do you still want to miss the chance to see this extraordinary design?
