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Washington, D.C., District of Columbia / Landmarks

Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial

A sprawling 7.5-acre outdoor museum honoring the 32nd US President and Eleanor Roosevelt, featuring four thematic rooms and cascading waterfalls over red South Dakota granite.

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Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial
Carol M. Highsmith, Public domain

What is the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial known for?

The memorial is dedicated to the memory of the 32nd president of the United States, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and also honors Eleanor Roosevelt. It features four outdoor rooms representing each of Roosevelt's four terms as commander in chief, tracing twelve years of American history.

What are the hours for the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial?

The memorial is open 24 hours a day. However, National Park Service rangers are available daily from 9:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. to assist visitors and provide interpretive programs.

Is it free to visit?

Yes, admission is free and open to the public.

Is the memorial wheelchair accessible?

Yes, it was the first memorial on the National Mall to be built wheelchair accessible.

Where is the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial located?

It is located in West Potomac Park between the Lincoln and Jefferson memorials in Washington, D.C., adjacent to the southwest side of the Tidal Basin along the Cherry Tree Walk.

What should I check before going?

Use Gyde for context, then check official sources for current hours, tickets, construction, and closures.

What to know

The Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial is a sprawling national monument spanning 7.5 acres in West Potomac Park, situated between the Lincoln and Jefferson memorials. Dedicated on May 2, 1997, by President Bill Clinton, the site honors the legacy of the 32nd president of the United States and First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt. Unlike traditional monuments, the memorial is designed as a sequence of four outdoor rooms. Each room is devoted to one of Roosevelt's four terms of office, tracing twelve years of American history from the Great Depression to World War II. This layout allows visitors to walk through the chronological progression of his presidency. Architecturally, the site is characterized by red South Dakota granite and cascading waterfalls. The landscape is enriched with bronze sculptures depicting the president, Eleanor Roosevelt, and his dog, Fala. It also includes detailed scenes of the Great Depression, such as people waiting in bread lines and fireside chats, accompanied by 21 famous quotations engraved in the stone. Notably, the FDR Memorial was the first memorial on the National Mall to be built with full wheelchair accessibility, reflecting the president's own experience with paralysis. The site is maintained by the National Park Service and remains open to the public 24 hours a day.

Visitor tips

  • Visit during the spring to experience the memorial along the Cherry Tree Walk.
  • National Park Service rangers are available daily from 9:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. for interpretive programs.
  • The memorial is free and open 24 hours a day, making it a great option for early morning or late evening visits to avoid crowds.

Nearby context

Located in West Potomac Park along the southwest side of the Tidal Basin, the memorial is positioned between the Lincoln and Jefferson memorials, making it a central part of the National Mall's memorial circuit.

Sources

Evidence and links