This unassuming pink granite bench whispers tales of diplomacy and friendship. This is the Jules Jusserand Memorial a quiet tribute in Rock Creek Park.
It honors Jean Jules Jusserand the French Ambassador to the United States during World War I. He served under five presidents an impressive feat. He was more than just a diplomat. Jusserand was a close friend of President Theodore Roosevelt. They shared a love for the outdoors. Their walks were legendary. Roosevelt called them runs. They were vigorous races through Rock Creek Park mud thorns and all.
Jusserand’s influence extended beyond diplomacy. He was a prolific writer. His book With Americans of Past and Present Days won the first Pulitzer Prize in History. He also received France’s highest honor the Grand Croix of the Legion of Honor. He even founded the American Society of the Legion of Honor recognizing Americans who contribute significantly to France.
The memorial itself is a simple yet elegant bench. It was erected by the Jusserand Memorial Committee and dedicated by Franklin Delano Roosevelt in 1936. A unique distinction it was the first memorial to a foreign diplomat on federal property. It cost nothing to US taxpayers a testament to the esteem in which Jusserand was held.
The location was carefully chosen. It honors Jusserand’s love for Rock Creek Park. It’s a place he often strolled with family and friends. President Roosevelt during the dedication described Jusserand as almost a great American. He linked Jusserand’s name with Lafayette Rochambeau and De Grasse valiant Frenchmen whose service earned the gratitude of all Americans.
This quiet spot in Rock Creek Park is more than just a bench. It’s a lasting symbol of the enduring friendship between France and the United States. It reminds us of the power of diplomacy and the importance of cross-cultural understanding. Take a moment to reflect on the legacy of Jules Jusserand. Reflect on the man the scholar the diplomat and the friend.