On the west side of Washington, DC’s Tidal Basin, the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial commemorates the 32nd president across four outdoor galleries. Each represents one of his terms in office, from 1933 to 1945. Waterfalls, bronze figures and words carved into granite bring the Great Depression and World War II into view. Look for sculptures of Roosevelt, First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt and their dog Fala, along with scenes of Americans living through the era. The open-air design makes this a place to pause and read as you walk.
Four galleries tell a chronological story
The memorial is arranged as four outdoor galleries, one for each of Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s presidential terms from 1933 to 1945. Follow the route in sequence to encounter a changing record of the period, including the Great Depression and World War II. The memorial’s open-air rooms make the history part of a walk along the Tidal Basin.
Waterfalls and reflecting pools run through the stone setting. Granite surfaces carry quotations from Roosevelt, including his well-known line about fear. Take time to read the inscriptions alongside the sculptures: they connect the words to the events and people represented in each gallery.
Sculptures of Roosevelt, Eleanor and Fala
Bronze figures appear throughout the galleries, including sculptures of Roosevelt and his dog, Fala. Scenes from the Great Depression depict ordinary Americans, placing daily life alongside the president’s public role. The sculptures are part of the memorial’s account of the era, not separate displays to pass by quickly.
A statue of First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt stands in the fourth gallery, in front of the United Nations symbol. Her presence gives the memorial a distinct tribute to a First Lady as well as to the president. Other figures and scenes across the galleries help show the range of people and challenges associated with Roosevelt’s years in office.
A memorial beside the Tidal Basin
The memorial covers about 7.5 acres on the western side of the Tidal Basin. Its paths, pools and galleries spread the visit across an outdoor site, so the route is best taken at an unhurried pace. The Tidal Basin setting also places the memorial near the Jefferson Memorial and the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, making it possible to include several landmarks in one walk.
The memorial was dedicated in 1997. Its design includes a statue of Roosevelt in his wheelchair, a detail that acknowledges his disability. The four-room layout, quotations and sculptures together present both the chronology of his presidency and the people and events associated with it.
FAQ
Is the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial free to visit?
Yes. The memorial is free to visit.
How many galleries are at the memorial?
There are four outdoor galleries, each representing one of Roosevelt’s presidential terms.
What can you see at the memorial?
The site includes waterfalls, reflecting pools, bronze sculptures and quotations carved into granite. Sculptures depict Roosevelt, Eleanor Roosevelt, Fala and scenes from the Great Depression.
Where is the memorial?
It is on the west side of the Tidal Basin in Washington, DC, near the Jefferson Memorial and the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial.
