John Ericsson Memorial facts for kids
Quick facts for kids John Ericsson Memorial |
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| Location | Washington, D.C., United States |
| Established | August 31, 1916 |
| Governing body | National Park Service |
The John Ericsson Memorial is a special monument in Washington, D.C.. It is located near the National Mall, at Ohio Drive and Independence Avenue. This memorial honors a brilliant Swedish engineer named John Ericsson. He changed naval history with his amazing inventions.
One of his most famous designs was the screw propeller. This invention helped ships move much faster. Ericsson also designed the USS Monitor. This ship was very important during the American Civil War. It helped the Union side win battles at sea.
Building the Memorial
The idea for the memorial was approved by the U.S. Congress on August 31, 1916. It was officially dedicated on May 29, 1926. President Calvin Coolidge and Crown Prince Gustaf Adolf of Sweden were both there for the ceremony.
Congress provided $35,000 to help build the memorial. People from Scandinavian backgrounds in America also raised another $25,000. The memorial was built between September 1926 and April 1927. It stands near the famous Lincoln Memorial.
The monument is made of pink Milford granite. It is about 20 feet (6.1 meters) tall. The base of the memorial is about 150 feet (45.7 meters) wide.
The Sculpture's Meaning
The memorial was sculpted by James Earle Fraser. It features a large, seated figure of John Ericsson. This statue is about 6 feet 5 inches (1.96 meters) tall.
Around Ericsson, there are three standing figures. These figures represent important ideas. They stand for adventure, labor, and vision. These ideas show the spirit of John Ericsson's life and work. The National Park Service looks after this national memorial.
Images for kids
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Adventure section of memorial.
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Closeup of Labor section.
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Labor section.
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Vision section of memorial.
See also
In Spanish: Memorial nacional John Ericsson para niños
