Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial

The only thing we have to fear
is fear itself…

Are the iconic words from an iconic president Franklin Delano Roosevelt. His memorial is lasting legacy to the Nation.
The FDR Memorial is on the National Mall in Washington, DC. This is the second FDR Memorial. The first one is a marble block a size of his desk. The memorial stone stands on the northwest grounds of the National Archives Building, facing the U.S. Navy Memorial and that was built just the way Roosevelt wanted.
Roosevelt first became president on March 4, 1933. He remained president until his death on April 12, 1945. Roosevelt was president during the Great Depression, World War 2 and the dust storms of the 1930′s. He started Social Security, child labor laws, Civilian Conservation Corp, Tennessee Valley Authority and the New Deal.
The FDR Memorial is very large. Every corner has some kind of display, statue, quote, or waterfall.
The memorial is spread over 7.5 acres and traces 12 years of the Roosevelt presidency of the United States.
There are four outdoor galleries at the memorial. Each of these galleries was built for the four terms that Roosevelt served as president of the United States. The galleries give a history of events, as to what happened during that term through a sequence of four outdoor rooms.
Sculpture “Breadline” created by George Segal showing the sorrowful faces of the life-size statues are a powerful expression of the times, showing the inactivity and troubles of everyday citizens during the Great Depression. Many visitors to the memorial pretend to stand in line to have their picture taken.
World War II was the dominant event of FDR’s third term and memorial has whole section devoted to it.
This memorial is quiet, yet powerful, beautiful, moving and intellectually stimulating. Not as crowded as other memorials, you can wander around and absorb it at your own pace having many great quotes and sculptures reflecting FDR and his time.

Visit the FDR Memorial at night if you get a chance. It is spectacular.

– Written by Mukesh Shah, OnBoard Tours staff writer