Arlington Memorial Amphitheater facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Memorial Amphitheater |
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Aerial view looking southeast at Memorial Amphitheater
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| Location | Arlington County, Virginia |
| Established | May 15, 1920 |
| Governing body | U.S. Department of the Army |
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The Memorial Amphitheater is a special outdoor theater, exhibit hall, and chapel. It is located in Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington County, Virginia. This important building was designed in 1913. It replaced an older, smaller wooden theater.
Construction began in March 1915. The amphitheater was officially opened in May 1920. In the middle of its eastern steps is the famous Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. This tomb was dedicated in 1921. The Memorial Amphitheater is a key place for many important events. These include Veterans Day and Memorial Day ceremonies. It also hosts memorial services and funerals for many people.
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Why Was the Amphitheater Built?
A New Place for Ceremonies
Arlington National Cemetery was created in 1864. Over time, more and more people visited the cemetery. Especially large crowds came for Memorial Day. Because of this, a formal meeting place was needed.
In 1873, a wooden amphitheater was built. It is now known as the Tanner Amphitheater. But by the early 1900s, this old theater was too small.
Pushing for a Bigger Memorial
Judge Ivory Kimball was a leader of a veterans' group. He believed a new, larger building was needed. He also felt it should honor soldiers from all wars. Kimball and his group started pushing for a new amphitheater in 1903.
Sketches for the new building were drawn by Frederick D. Owen. He was an engineer for the U.S. Army. But it took several tries for Congress to approve the idea. Finally, in 1913, a law was passed. President William Howard Taft signed it into law.
An important group was formed to oversee the project. It was called the Arlington Memorial Amphitheater Commission. Its members included top government officials. It also included representatives from veterans' groups.
At first, Congress approved the idea but didn't give money. Funds for construction were finally approved in August 1914. The famous architectural firm of Carrère and Hastings was hired to design the building. The George A. Fuller Co. was chosen to build it.
There is some debate about who designed it most. Some say Thomas Hastings of Carrère and Hastings. Others say Frederick D. Owen, who drew the first sketches. Both played important roles in its design.
Building the Memorial Amphitheater
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The new amphitheater was built on a hill. It was about 1,000 feet (300 m) south of Arlington House. Construction started on March 1, 1915. President Woodrow Wilson laid the cornerstone on October 13, 1915.
A copper box was placed inside the cornerstone. It held important items. These included the U.S. Constitution, the Declaration of Independence, and a Bible. It also had a U.S. flag, coins, stamps, and a photo of President Wilson. Judge Kimball was there for the groundbreaking. Sadly, he died before the amphitheater was finished.
By mid-1915, the foundation was mostly done. It used many bricks and tons of steel and marble. The building's design was changed in June 1915. Many parts that were supposed to be wood or plaster were changed to marble. This made the building much more expensive.
Work slowed down in 1916 and 1917. This was due to a lack of good marble. Bad winter weather also caused delays. The project was costing more than expected. By June 1917, much of the amphitheater and its columns were built.
By 1918, the amphitheater, chapel, and entrance hall were nearly complete. The United States entered World War I in April 1917. This affected construction. Many skilled workers went to the war effort. It also became hard to transport marble.
By June 1918, the outside of the amphitheater was almost done. Inside, the chapel and reception hall were finished. Interior work ended in June 1919. The total cost for the building and its grounds was over $810,000. Over 87,000 cubic feet (2,460 m³) of marble were used.
The Memorial Amphitheater was dedicated on May 15, 1920. The Army then took over its management.
What Does the Amphitheater Look Like?
Thomas Hastings designed the Memorial Amphitheater. He wanted it to be the main point of the area. It mixes different old architectural styles. These include Greek, Roman, and Renaissance designs. Ulysses Ricci created many of the carvings and decorations. Hastings hoped this building would be his most famous work.
The outdoor amphitheater can seat 4,000 people. Another 150 can sit in the columned areas. About 1,000 more can stand.
A row of columns surrounds the amphitheater. The main entrances are on the east and west. The columns have Doric tops but Attic bases. Above the columns, there are inscriptions. These list 44 major battles from American history. Low, marble benches face the stage. The stage has three levels.
The lowest stage level has a special chair called a klismos. This ancient Greek chair is for rulers. It faces the audience. Hastings wanted it to remind people of the heroes the amphitheater honors. The second level has a podium for speakers. Speakers on stage look down at the klismos chair. They look up at the USS Maine Mast Memorial. The top stage level has seating for about 100 people. It also has a curved back wall called an apse.
The apse's inner dome is beautifully carved. Columns on either side of the stage list names of famous American generals and admirals. A quote from George Washington is inside the apse. It says: "When we assumed the soldier we did not lay aside the citizen." Above the stage, a quote from Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address is written. It says: "We here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain." Large, 9-foot (2.7 m) tall urns with eagles and other carvings are on pedestals near the stage.
Above the west entrance, there is a quote from a Roman poet. It says: "Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori" ("It is sweet and fitting to die for one's country"). Under the columns, there are 300 crypts. These were meant for important burials.
Under the amphitheater stage is a chapel. This domed room can seat 150 people. It has a raised walkway around its edges.
The main entrance is on the east. It leads into a cross-shaped entrance hall. This hall has a portico with six columns. Carvings of war trophies are above the main bronze doors. The entrance hall is not directly connected to the amphitheater. Stairs and walkways outside connect them. The main floor of the hall was a reception area. It had galleries for battle flags. The second floor was a museum. In 1929, the main floor became a Memorial Exhibit Hall. It displays honors for the unknown soldiers. The second floor became offices.
Steps lead from the entrance hall to a small open area. Hastings planned for more steps to lead down to a garden. A pedestal for a statue was in the middle of these steps. But no statue was ever placed there. This pedestal was later removed. The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier was built there in 1921. The large steps to the garden were not built at first. A retaining wall was put in instead. A road was designed to go around the entire building.
History of Changes
Adding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
On March 4, 1921, Congress approved a memorial. It was for an unknown American soldier from World War I. This memorial would be placed in the steps leading to the amphitheater. An unknown soldier was brought from France. He was buried in a small marble tomb on Armistice Day, November 11, 1921.
To build the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the statue pedestal was removed. Workers dug deep into the ground. They built strong concrete walls for the burial vault. Soil from France was placed at the bottom of the vault. After the soldier was lowered, the tomb was sealed.
More changes were made to the east front a few years later. In 1926, Congress approved finishing the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. A design by Lorimer Rich and Thomas Hudson Jones was chosen. This design suggested removing the retaining wall. It also proposed building the grand staircase that Hastings first imagined. Congress agreed. Construction of the stairs, new roads, and garden changes began in 1929.
Later Renovations and Expansions
Not much work was done until 1954. By then, the building had problems. Walls were cracking, and there was water damage. A study found that repairs would cost a lot of money. These problems were mostly due to design flaws. The marble would expand and contract with the weather. Congress approved funds for repairs.
Another big change happened in 1958. President Dwight Eisenhower signed a law in 1956. It allowed unknown soldiers from World War II and the Korean War to be buried at the Tomb of the Unknowns. Two new burial vaults were dug in the plaza. One was for the Korean War unknown, the other for the World War II unknown. They were buried on Memorial Day, May 30, 1958.
In 1960, the Arlington Memorial Amphitheater Commission was ended. Its duties were given to the Secretary of Defense.
On May 24, 1964, a ceremony celebrated 100 years of Arlington National Cemetery. In 1969, the American Legion donated an outdoor lighting system. This allowed the amphitheater and tomb to be lit at night. President Richard Nixon officially turned on the lights.
1974 Renovations
More problems appeared in 1965. Retaining walls cracked, and the Tomb of the Unknowns had damage. Congress approved money in 1972 for repairs. They also wanted to renovate the exhibit hall. Many more people were visiting the cemetery. This was because of the John F. Kennedy Eternal Flame and grave of Robert F. Kennedy.
To handle the crowds, walkways were widened. Ramps were added to make the amphitheater more accessible for disabled visitors. Congress approved more money in 1974. This brought the total for the project to $4 million. The steps and entrance area were widened. This allowed 800 people to watch the changing of the guard, up from 200. New guard posts were also added.
These renovations in the mid-1970s were the first major construction since 1920.
Adding More Memorials
In 1977, there was an effort to dedicate the chapel. A law from 1973 required finding an unknown Vietnam War veteran. A vault was built for these remains at the Tomb of the Unknowns. A marble slab with "VIETNAM" was placed over it. But all remains found were later identified. Veterans wanted the chapel dedicated to Vietnam War veterans. But Congress felt it should be for all veterans. So, the chapel remained unnamed.
On Veterans Day in 1978, President Jimmy Carter dedicated a plaque. It honored Vietnam War veterans. In 1983, two temporary plaques were added. One honored Vietnam War personnel. The other explained why no unknown Vietnam War soldier was buried there yet.
1995–1996 Renovations and a Mystery
Major renovations happened in the mid-1990s. Congress provided millions to fix water damage and leaks. They also restored damaged marble. The project was delayed due to contract issues. But it saved money. Some savings were used for new wheelchair ramps. Others went to build a columbarium at the cemetery.
The repairs included fixing leaks and stains. They replaced damaged marble parts and benches. Worn railings and drinking fountains were also replaced. New signs and trash cans were installed. These improvements were almost done by March 1996.
A controversy happened in 2011. Original decorative urns from the 1995-1996 renovation appeared at an auction. These 9-foot (2.7 m) tall urns were sculpted by Ulysses Ricci. They used to stand on either side of the stage. They were very weathered by 1995. A subcontractor was supposed to dispose of them. But they ended up with an antique dealer.
Preservation experts said the historic urns should have been restored or put in a museum. The Army, which manages the cemetery, couldn't find records about their disposal. After news reports, the Army asked the auction house to stop the sale. On January 24, 2011, the urns were returned to Arlington National Cemetery for free.
2012 Renovations
In 1999, water damaged the chapel ceiling. This caused a hole and leaks.
The plaza of Memorial Amphitheater was changed again in 1999. An unknown Vietnam War servicemember was buried in the vault in 1984. But in 1994, questions arose. Some believed the Army ignored evidence that the remains could be identified. After media attention, the unknown soldier was removed in 1998. DNA testing showed the remains were of 1st Lieutenant Michael Blassie.
On September 16, 1999, the marble slab over the empty vault was replaced. A new slab was inscribed: "Honoring and Keeping Faith with America's Missing Servicemen." Officials decided a new slab was better than pretending the vault didn't exist.
By 2000, the east entrance hall had more water damage. Congress provided funds to find solutions. Repairs were made in 2006. These fixed water damage, improved drainage, and prevented flooding.
More repairs to walkways happened in 2012. Cemetery officials found that millions of dollars for improvements had not been spent. Some of these funds were used to replace about 230,000 square feet (21,368 m²) of walkway. Fire alarm systems in the entrance hall were also upgraded.
Famous Events at the Amphitheater
The Memorial Amphitheater hosts many Memorial Day and Veterans Day ceremonies. Almost every U.S. President has visited since 1921. President Woodrow Wilson never visited due to a stroke. President Warren G. Harding was the first sitting president to visit. He was also the first to speak there and lay a wreath.
The amphitheater has hosted funerals for many famous Americans. The first funeral was for sculptor Moses Jacob Ezekiel in 1921. Other notable funerals include:
- General John J. Pershing
- General Henry H. Arnold
- Secretary of Defense James Forrestal
- Antarctic explorer Rear Admiral Richard E. Byrd
In 2002, a service was held for 30 unidentified victims of the September 11 attacks on The Pentagon. This was the first such service since 1984. Frank Buckles, the last American veteran of World War I, lay in state in the chapel in 2011.
An Easter sunrise service has been held here every year since 1931. The Knights Templar organized the first one. The United States Marine Band provided music. President Herbert Hoover attended. This service, along with Memorial Day and Veterans Day, is one of the most popular annual events.
See Also
- List of contemporary amphitheatres
