The FDR Monument
The fdr memorial,the great depression fdr,fdr fireside chats
Born in 1882, FDR died in 1945, having led the USA through the Economic
Crisis and the WWII in 1945. His cenotaph is now a souvenir, a symbol of
some of America's hardships through his historic 12 year leadership. On
May 2, 1997, the fourth presidential monument was added to honor the 32nd
president of the United States- the Franklin D. Roosevelt Memorial. This
was after the establishment of a commission in 1955 to help in ensuring
that FDR’s 12 year term, life, character and work would be portrayed in
the tribute. In 1959, it was decided that the memorial be built in West
Potomac Park, along the tidal basin.
Lawrence Halprin’s memorial design was chosen in 1978, after several design
competitions. In 1997, with a few modifications, it took its place. The
7.5 acre monument traces 12 years of the American past through a progression
of four galleries, each representing a term of Roosevelt's presidency. The
design tells the story of the president and the country in a sequential
order. The outdoor rooms are just winding paths that are surrounded by granite
passageways.
The FDR commemoration
is comprehensive, open, and contains numerous quotes, waterfalls and effigies
like the statues standing in a breadline: the Eleanor Roosevelt’s carving
commemorating her role as the First Lady, as a UN delegate and as a champion
for Human Rights. Moreover, the monument also contains some interesting
and also controversial statues, like the ten foot statue of FDR in a wheelchair
that was included against designers’ wishes. The statue brewed controversy
due to the fact that FDR himself hid from the public that he once had polio
by using supports to stand. Disability advocates also argued the fact that
the Braille on the statue were too far high to be reached by even the tall
blind people.
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