Thompson-Harding Monument facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Thompson-Harding Monument
Artist	Unknown
Year	1898 (1898)
Type	Marble & Granite
Dimensions	400 cm × 230 cm × 230 cm (156 in × 90 in × 90 in)
Location	Washington, D.C., United States
Coordinates	38°56′50.47″N 77°0′39.77″W / 38.9473528°N 77.0110472°W / 38.9473528; -77.0110472
Owner	Rock Creek Cemetery

The Thompson-Harding Monument is a special sculpture. An unknown artist created it. You can find it at Rock Creek Cemetery in Washington, D.C., United States. In 1993, the Smithsonian Institution studied this monument. It was part of their project to find and protect outdoor sculptures.

Exploring the Thompson-Harding Monument

This monument has two main sides. Its most important part is a large granite cross. This cross stands on three granite steps.

Who Are the Figures?

On one side of the cross, you will see a full-size statue of N. Elbridge Thompson. On the other side is a full-size statue of Lillie May Harding.

Thompson's statue shows him wearing a suit. It has a long jacket, a vest, and a bow tie. He also has sideburns, a mustache, and a beard. Harding's statue wears a long dress. The dress has detailed carvings that look like lace. Her long hair rests over her right shoulder. In her left hand, she holds a lily flower.

Engravings on the Monument

The north side of the monument has the name: THOMPSON. The south side of the monument has the name: HARDING.

On the west side of the base, you can read more words. It says:

• ERECTED BY ELLEN J. THOMPSON
• AND S. ELIZABETH HARDING

Monument Photos

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  North Proper Right

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  North Detail

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  North

• 

  North Proper Right

• 

  North Detail

Why Was the Monument Built?

Family members from both the Thompson and Harding families built this monument. Lillie May Harding passed away in 1897. She was twenty-seven years old at the time.

In 1977, The Washington Post newspaper wrote about the monument. They described it as "a rugged cross." They also mentioned "an angel dropping a stone flower." Finally, they spoke of "a statue of a portly gentleman trying hard to look celestial."

Condition of the Sculpture

Experts checked the sculpture's condition in 1993. They said it needed some care and repair.