The Jefferson Memorial is located on the south side of the National Mall facing the Washington Monument and the White House. Born in Virginia in 1743, Jefferson became the principal author of the Declaration of Independance as well as our nation's third President. While President, he doubled the size of the US with the Lousianna purchase and sponsored the Lewis and Clark expedition opening the western part of the country.

Jefferson was also ambassador to France before becoming President. From that experience, he introduced the Classical Style of architecture to the US. It was that style and for that reason that it was chosen for Memorial.

The memorial was dedicated in 1943, but with a plaster statue due to the wartime restrictions on metal use. After the war, the plaster version was replaced with the present bronze statue, standing 19 feet tall and weighing 5 tons.