Daguerre Memorial facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Daguerre Memorial
Artist	Jonathan Scott Hartley
Medium	Bronze
Movement	Sculpture
Location	Washington, D.C.

The Daguerre Memorial is a special bronze statue located in Washington, D.C.. It was created by an artist named Jonathan Scott Hartley. This memorial was built to honor Louis Daguerre, who was a very important person in the history of photography.

Who Was Louis Daguerre?

Louis Daguerre was a French artist and inventor. He is famous for inventing the "daguerreotype" process. This was the first successful way to take a photograph!

The First Photographs

Before Daguerre, people could only paint or draw pictures. Taking a photograph was a huge step forward. Daguerre's invention changed how we capture moments forever.

His process used a special silver-plated copper sheet. Light would hit the sheet, creating an image. This was a truly amazing discovery in the 1830s.

About the Daguerre Memorial

The Daguerre Memorial is a statue that celebrates this amazing invention. It reminds us of how important photography became.

Why Was it Built?

The memorial was put up by a group called the Professional Photographers of America (PPA). This group includes photographers from all over the world. They wanted to celebrate 50 years of photography.

The memorial was officially dedicated on August 15, 1890. It was a big event for photographers everywhere.

Where is the Memorial Located?

The Daguerre Memorial is in Washington, D.C.. It stands near the Old Patent Office Building. This building is now home to two famous museums: the Smithsonian American Art Museum and the National Portrait Gallery.

You can find it on 7th Street N.W.. It's a historic spot in the city.

A Moving History

When it was first dedicated in 1890, the memorial was inside the Arts and Industries Building. A few years later, in 1897, it was moved outside. It stayed outdoors for a long time, until 1969.

Then, in 1989, it was moved again and re-dedicated. This means it had another special ceremony. It found its current home at the Old Patent Office Building.

What the Memorial Says

The memorial has special words carved into its base. These words tell us why it was built and what it represents.

Important Discoveries

One side of the granite base says:

• "PHOTOGRAPHY, THE ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH, AND THE STEAM ENGINE ARE THE THREE GREAT DISCOVERIES OF THE AGE."
• "NO FIVE CENTURIES IN HUMAN PROGRESS CAN SHOW SUCH STRIDES AS THESE."

This means that photography, along with the telegraph and steam engine, were seen as the most important inventions of that time. They changed the world in huge ways!

Celebrating Photography

Another side of the base explains the purpose:

• "TO COMMEMORATE THE FIRST HALF-CENTURY IN PHOTOGRAPHY 1839–1889."
• "ERECTED BY THE PHOTOGRAPHER'S ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA, AUGUST, 1890."

This tells us the memorial celebrates the first 50 years of photography, from 1839 to 1889. It was a gift from the photographers of America.

Honoring Daguerre

Right below the statue of Daguerre, on the front of the base, it simply says:

• "DAGUERRE"

This makes it clear who the memorial is honoring. It's a lasting tribute to the person who helped us capture memories with a click!