Imagine a time when the echoes of the Great War still resonated deeply within the hearts of Washingtonians. This is the story of the DC War Memorial. It stands as a tribute to over 26000 District of Columbia residents who served in World War I. Among them, 499 gave the ultimate sacrifice.
Authorized by Congress in 1924, the DC War Memorial’s construction was funded by contributions from organizations and individual citizens of the District. Dedicated by President Herbert Hoover on Armistice Day in 1931, the DC War Memorial became the first war memorial in West Potomac Park, near the Lincoln Memorial. It remains the only local District memorial on the National Mall.
Designed by local architect Frederick H Brooke, with Horace Peaslee and Nathan C Wyeth as associate architects, the DC War Memorial takes the form of a circular, domed Doric temple, standing 47 feet tall. Twelve fluted Doric marble columns support the entablature and dome. The DC War Memorial rests on concrete foundations.
The names of the fallen 499 are inscribed on the base. They are listed in alphabetical order regardless of rank, race, gender, or national origin. This was an unusual practice for the time. The dome inscription reads, “A Memorial to the Armed Forces from the District of Columbia Who Served Their Country in the World War”. The base inscription reads, in part, “The names of the men and women from the District of Columbia who gave their lives in the World War are here inscribed as a perpetual record of their patriotic service to the country. Those who fell and those who survived have given to this and to future generations an example of high idealism, courageous sacrifice and gallant achievement.”
Janet Noyes, of a prominent newspaper family, proposed that the monument replace an old wooden bandstand. Her vision was a domed marble memorial that could also serve as a bandstand for military bands. The first concert was held during the DC War Memorial’s dedication on November 11, 1931. Noted composer John Phillip Sousa led the band.
The DC War Memorial became a popular gathering spot for music. As musical tastes changed, concerts became less frequent. The monument faced a period of neglect. In 2003, the DC Preservation League declared it one of D.C.’s most endangered places.
In 2010, a restoration project began. It was funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The DC War Memorial reopened on November 10, 2011. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2014.
Today, the National Park Service administers the DC War Memorial. It stands as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by District residents during World War I. Take a moment to reflect on their service. Remember the ideals they stood for.