Peace Monument Facts for Kids

This page is about the monument at the United States Capitol. For other uses, see Peace Monument (disambiguation).

Quick facts for kids Peace Monument

Artist	Franklin Simmons
Year	1877 (1877)
Type	Carrara Ravaccione marble
Dimensions	12 m × 3.0 m × 3.0 m (40 ft × 10 ft × 10 ft)
Location	Washington, D.C., United States
Owner	Architect of the Capitol

Peace Monument
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
U.S. Historic district Contributing property

Location in Washington, D.C.
Location	Washington, D.C.
Part of	Civil War Monuments in Washington, DC.
NRHP reference No.	78000257
Added to NRHP	September 20, 1978

The Peace Monument is a beautiful white marble statue located on the grounds of the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C.. It stands in a spot called Peace Circle, near First Street and Pennsylvania Avenue. This tall monument, about 44 feet (13.4 meters) high, was built between 1877 and 1878. It was made to remember the brave sailors who died at sea during the American Civil War. Today, it is part of a larger group of sculptures, including the James A. Garfield Monument and the Ulysses S. Grant Memorial. It is also known as the Naval Monument or Civil War Sailors Monument.

What the Peace Monument Shows
How the Monument Was Made
Gallery
See also

What the Peace Monument Shows

The Peace Monument tells a story through its statues and symbols.

Figures at the Top

At the very top, facing west, you'll see two female figures dressed in classic robes. One is named Grief. She is crying and hides her face against the shoulder of the other figure, History. History holds a pen-like tool called a stylus and a tablet. On the tablet, it says: "They died that their country might live." This honors those who gave their lives for their country.

Below Grief and History, there is another life-sized female figure. She represents Victory. She holds a laurel wreath high, which is a symbol of success. She also carries an oak branch, which means strength. Below her are two baby figures: Mars, the god of war, and Neptune, the god of the sea. The main part of the monument is decorated with wreaths, ribbons, and scallop shells.

Symbols of Peace and Progress

Facing the Capitol building is the figure of Peace. She is draped in cloth from her waist down and holds an olive branch, a classic sign of peace. Below her are symbols of peace and hard work. A dove, which is now missing, once rested on a pile of wheat. This was part of a group that included a cornucopia (a horn of plenty), turned earth, and a sickle resting across a sword. These show that peace brings good harvests and turns weapons into tools for farming.

On the opposite side, you can see symbols of science, literature, and art. These include an angle, a gear, a book, and a pair of dividers. They represent how civilization grows and improves when there is peace.

At the corners of the monument, there are four marble globes. They look like they are held up by large supports. Below them is a fountain with water jets on each side, flowing into a basin shaped like a four-leaf clover.

Important Inscription

The monument has an important message carved into it. It reads: "In memory of the officers, seamen and marines of the United States Navy who fell in defense of the Union and liberty of their country, 1861–1865." This reminds everyone of the brave people it honors.

How the Monument Was Made

The sculptor who created the Peace Monument was Franklin Simmons (1839–1913). He was born in Maine and became known for making busts, which are sculptures of a person's head and shoulders. He moved to Rome in 1867. He created four statues and three busts for the United States Capitol building. The Peace Monument is a great example of his classic, idealized style of sculpture.

The idea for the Peace Monument came from Admiral David Dixon Porter. He was a naval leader during the Civil War. He first drew a simple design showing Grief and History. Starting in 1865, he collected money from people who wanted to help. The monument was officially ordered from Simmons in 1871.

Simmons carved the marble for the statues in Rome, Italy. He worked closely with Admiral Porter, making many changes to the designs, including adding more figures. The stone parts of the monument were made by the Bonanni Brothers in Carrara, Italy, under Simmons's guidance.

The marble pieces were shipped to Washington, D.C., in 1876. In 1877, the monument was put together on a base made of Maine blue granite. This base was designed by Architect of the Capitol Edward Clark. The very last figure, Peace, was put into place in January 1878.

The Peace Monument is an important part of the Civil War Monuments in Washington, DC. It is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places.