A Guide to Washington's Less Famous Memorials

Hidden Landmarks That Give Tourists a New Perspective on D.C.

Aug 19, 2009

Monuments dedicated to Lincoln, Washington, and Jefferson may dominate the Washington skyline, but some lesser known memorials and landmarks can enrich a visit to D.C.

Make a visit to Washington, D.C., at any given time and you will find scores of tourists visiting the major monuments and memorials that all Americans have at least seen in pictures, if not visited themselves. The Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument, Jefferson Memorial, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, U.S. Capitol, and the White House are all iconic American landmarks that represent this country and its history and ideals — and are usually at the top of any tourist’s list of places to visit.

But tucked away in places not readily obvious to a visitor to Washington are some less famous, yet no less important, memorials that carry just as much meaning as their larger neighbors. This is a guide to these memorials.

World War I Memorial

This smaller domed and columned memorial is located in West Potomac Park, just off the National Mall and fairly close to the Lincoln Memorial and Washington Monument. However, it’s located in a less-traveled area and surrounded by trees, and visitors tend to stumble upon it by accident. The memorial recognizes the 26,000 District of Columbia citizens who served in World War I and the 499 of them who gave their lives in the war.

Women’s Titanic Memorial

This statue commemorates the R.M.S. Titanic, which hit an iceberg and sank in April 1912, taking 1,500 passengers and crew with her. The memorial is dedicated to the “brave men” who gave their lives so women and children could live. The memorial is located at the end of the promenade along the Washington Channel Park, outside Fort McNair, near Water and P Streets S.W.

Theodore Roosevelt Memorial

President Teddy Roosevelt loved the outdoors and was an ardent conservationist, so what better place to locate a memorial to him than on a wooded island in the Potomac River? The wooded island is also what keeps visitors from finding him. Access to the island is located across the Potomac River in Arlington, Va., just off the northbound George Washington Parkway. A footbridge takes visitors to a short trail that leads to a 17-foot-tall statue of Roosevelt set upon a plaza and two fountains.

Albert Einstein Memorial

A bronze statue of Einstein sitting upon a granite dais is well known to locals, but not so much to tourists. Located on the grounds of the National Academy of Sciences in the 2100 block of Constitution Avenue N.W., the memorial is easy to get to as it is located just across the street from the National Mall, near the Lincoln Memorial and Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Those tourists who do find the statue enjoy having their photo taken while sitting in Einstein’s lap.

The National Building Museum is another landmark that is considered a gem by D.C. residents, but not as well known to outsiders. Built in the 1880s as a place to house the Pension Bureau and to hold social gatherings (including inaugural balls), today it serves, in the museum’s words, as “one of the world’s most prominent and vital venues for informed, reasoned debate about the built environment and its impact on people’s lives.” Located at 401 F Street N.W., visitors should be sure to look up before entering the building and notice the 1,200-foot-long terra cotta frieze that wraps around the exterior of the building, featuring Civil War military units.

Tomb of the Unknown Revolutionary War Soldier

The Tomb of the Unknowns in neighboring Arlington is a major tourist attraction, but not so many people find their way to the Tomb of the Unknown Revolutionary War Soldier in nearby Alexandria, Va., on the grounds of the Old Presbyterian Meeting House at 321 S. Fairfax Street. The tomb reads, in part, “Here lies a soldier of the Revolution whose identity is known but to God.” No one may know who he is, but any visitor to the area should make a visit to pay their respects to a man who gave his life in the battle for our country’s independence.

Finding these lesser known memorials has an advantage in that they are usually not as crowded. In addition, they allow visitors to see unique aspects of our nation’s history and culture not captured in the famous monuments and memorials.

The copyright of the article A Guide to Washington's Less Famous Memorials in Washington DC Travel is owned by Scott Anderson. Permission to republish A Guide to Washington's Less Famous Memorials in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.