West Potomac Park’s oldest war memorial has a list of names of the fallen and a majestic dome whose underside glows orange in the evening.
The District of Columbia War Memorial is a domed monument that pays tribute to those who fought and served in World War I. It stands between thickets of trees in the iconic West Potomac Park. Its steps are a popular spot to sit and reflect on the fallen and the folly of war. Appreciate the significance of the memorial and its location in one of the major political centers of the world.
Approach the monument and appreciate the style of the domed structure, which is 47 feet (14 meters) tall. Running around the circumference of the cylindrical memorial are Doric columns, while a marble base provides a place to sit and reflect. Read the names of 499 local citizens who died fighting in World War I. Engraved in the cornerstone is a list of 26,000 people from Washington who served in the war.
Marvel at the stunning dome topping the monument and consider its sheer size as you snap photos of your family standing beside it. An accompanying plaque provides further context and history.
Stroll between the trees and wander alongside the adjacent reflecting pool. Visit the memorial at night, when the underside of the dome glows orange.
Note that the structure was built in 1931 and dedicated by President Herbert Hoover on Armistice Day, which is now celebrated as Veterans Day.
The District of Columbia War Memorial is in West Potomac Park near the Lincoln Memorial and the White House. From Downtown Washington, walk south for 1.5 miles (2.4 kilometers) to get here in about 30 minutes. While you’re in this part of the city, visit other nearby landmarks such as the Albert Einstein Memorial, the DAR Constitution Hall and the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, which may require a reservation.
