Statue and Engravings

Thomas Jefferson Statue

   

    The Thomas Jefferson Memorial was built during WWII, while metal was being rationed. Due to this fact a plaster statue of Thomas Jefferson was made. After the war had ended the plaster statue was taken out and replaced with a bronze statue. This statue was sculpted by Edmund Randolph. He was the winner of the competition used to decide what statue to use in the Thomas Jefferson Memorial. The 19 and 1/2 foot tall bronze statue was installed in 1947. It stands in the center of the memorial on a 6 foot tall base.

Engravings Within the Memorial

    The walls of the memorial are covered with engravings of  Thomas Jefferson's words. They include quotes from the Declaration of Independence, his letter to Dr.Benjamin Rush, and other important things he said. Engravings cover all of the interior walls and the underneath of the dome. The inscription under the dome says "I have sworn upon the altar of God eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man." This was written by Jefferson in a private letter to Dr. Benjamin Rush discussing views on Christianity on September 23, 1800.