One of the many landmarks of Washington D.C C. is the James A. Garfield Memorial Monument. The James Garfield Memorial Monument is found on the grounds of the United States
Capitol building in the circle at First Street, S.W. and Maryland Avenue. The monument was first unveiled in 1887 and it was made part of the
U.S. Capitol grounds in 1975.
James Garfield was the 20th president of the United States of America. He took office on March 4, 1881. He was shot on July 2, 1881 and died as a result of that gunshot wound on September 19, 1881. He had the second shortest presidency in American history and was the second president to be assassinated, Abraham Lincoln being the first.
The James Garfield Memorial Monument was sculpted by John Quincy Adams Ward. It is a wonderful example of American Beaux-Arts sculpture and a fitting tribute to an American president who was also a major in the United States Army and a member of the House of Representatives.
The monument has 4 bronze figures on a pedestal. The 4 figures are meant to represent the different stages of James Garfield's life. On top is a portrait statue of James Garfield. The other three figures include a figure of a statesman, a figure of a warrior and a figure of a student.
The monument underwent restoration in 1992 to clean it up and preserve it for future generations. Although his presidency was cut short by an assassin's bullet, President Garfield is an important figure in American history and a visit to his landmark monument is worthwhile when you are in Washington D.C.
