McKinley National Memorial facts for kids
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McKinley National Memorial
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The Memorial in March 2005
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 Location in Ohio
Location in the United States
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| Location | 7th St., N.W., Canton, Ohio |
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| Area | 22 acres (8.9 ha) |
| Built | 1907 |
| Architect | Harold Van Buren Magonigle |
| Architectural style | Renaissance |
| NRHP reference No. | 70000516 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | November 10, 1970 |
| Designated NHL | May 15, 1975 |
The McKinley National Memorial in Canton, Ohio, is a special place. It is where William McKinley, the 25th President of the United States, is buried. President McKinley served from 1897 until he was sadly assassinated in 1901. Canton was very important to McKinley. He lived there, worked as a lawyer, and ran his political campaigns from the town.
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Creating a Memorial for President McKinley
After President McKinley's funeral, his close friends and advisors met. They wanted to build a proper memorial for him. This group formed the McKinley National Memorial Association. Theodore Roosevelt, who became president after McKinley, helped choose the first leaders for the Association.
Raising Money for the Monument
The Association chose a spot that President McKinley himself liked. He once said a monument should be built there to honor soldiers from Stark County. In October 1901, they asked the public for $600,000 to build the memorial. The Governor of Ohio, George Nash, helped by making McKinley's birthday in 1902 a special day. On that day, many school children gave their pennies to help fund the memorial. By June 1903, they had raised $500,000. Even other countries, like Great Britain, sent money to help.
Designing the Special Place
Over sixty different designs were sent in for the memorial. Harold Van Buren Magonigle from New York City won the design competition. He imagined the memorial as a giant cross-shaped sword. The main building, where McKinley would be buried, was at the center. A long reflecting pool, called "The Long Water," and the main steps formed the "blade" of the sword. This design showed both a cross, like a martyr, and a sword, like a president who led during wartime.
Building the Monument
Construction started on June 6, 1905. The first shovel of dirt was moved by Magonigle himself. On November 16, the first stone was laid in a special ceremony. President McKinley's wife, Ida Saxton McKinley, and other family members were there. Workers added a lot of soil to create four terraces. These terraces matched the four sets of steps in the main staircase. The steps are 50 feet (about 15 meters) wide. There are 24 steps in each of the four main flights. Another 12 steps lead into the monument. In total, there are 108 steps from the ground to the top. The inside walls are made of beautiful Tennessee marble.
A 9-and-a-half-foot tall bronze statue of President McKinley stands inside. It shows him giving his last public speech in Buffalo, New York. The sculptor, Charles Henry Niehaus, based it on a photo taken just before McKinley's assassination.
A Grand Dedication Ceremony
The McKinley National Memorial was officially opened on September 30, 1907. This was a huge event in Canton's history. President Theodore Roosevelt and other important people attended a big parade. During the dedication, Supreme Court Justice William R. Day spoke about how the memorial came to be. He was also the president of the Memorial Association. United States Poet Laureate James Whitcomb Riley read a poem he wrote for the president. Finally, President Roosevelt gave a speech about McKinley's life and work. The coffins of President McKinley and his wife are placed above ground in two green granite tombs.
Caring for the Memorial
After the dedication, the McKinley National Memorial Association took care of the monument. But it became hard for them to maintain the large structure and grounds. So, on October 20, 1943, the property was given to the Ohio State Archaeological and Historical Society. This group is now called the Ohio History Connection. In 1951, the State of Ohio did a big renovation. They even filled in "The Long Water" reflecting pool. This work was finished in time for the 50th anniversary of President McKinley's death. A new dedication ceremony was held on September 16, 1951.
The McKinley National Memorial returned to local control in 1973. It was given to the Stark County Historical Society. After five years of more restoration, the memorial was rededicated again on September 29, 1992. The William McKinley Presidential Library and Museum is right next to the memorial. The Stark County Historical Society also runs the museum.
Images for kids
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The "Long Water" reflecting pool, removed in 1951
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The sarcophagi of William and Ida McKinley
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The McKinley National Memorial in January 2007
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