In honor of Abraham Lincoln’s birthday on February 12, we thought we’d share some of our favorite photos of the Lincoln Memorial.
Like many memorials in Washington, it took a while for the Lincoln Memorial to be built. Congress chartered the Lincoln Monument Association in 1867. The site for the memorial on the National Mall was chosen in 1901 (the site was still swampland when it was designated). In 1911, Congress the Memorial. In 1914, the first stone was laid. Finally, on May 30, 1922, the Lincoln Memorial was dedicated.
The basic design of the Lincoln Memorial is that of a Doric Temple. The monument was designed by Henry Bacon. The large statue of Abraham Lincoln was created by Daniel Chester French. The sculpture is just over 19 feet high and 19 feet wide, and was carved from Georgia marble.
Our two photos of French’s statue of Lincoln were taken at about 4 AM in the morning in 2004. At that time, we had no problems setting up a tripod in the Memorial to take the photos. Given the problems we’ve had lately with tripods in DC, I doubt we’d be able set them up these days.
Abraham Lincoln Statue (c) 2004 Patty Hankins
Abraham Lincoln Statue (c) 2004 William Lawrence
The photo of the pillars and the Lincoln Statue was taken just after sundown. The deep blue of the sky can be seen reflected in the pillars.
Lincoln Memorial Statue (c) 2003 William Lawrence
Our final photo of the Lincoln Memorial was taken in the golden light of late afternoon from the Virginia side of the Potomac River. The sun was low enough in the sky that the light reflected through the arches of the Arlington Memorial Bridge.
The Lincoln Memorial (c) 2008 William Lawrence
The Lincoln Memorial is located on the National Mall in Washington, DC. Like the other memorials on the Mall, it is part of the National Park Service’s National Mall and Monuments Park. The Lincoln Memorial is open 24 hours a day.
very nice photos. i’ll be in dc just for a weekend and am in debate as to whether or not to bother with a tripod. i really wanted to take night shots of the memorials but have been reading a lot about the security guards and policy changes.
If you want to take night photos of the monuments – you will most likely need a tripod.
We’ve had problems using a tripod on the grounds of the U.S. Capitol (just cross the street to the Grant Memorial and it’s OK to use a tripod) and at the Supreme Court. The other place we’ve had problems recently is inside the Jefferson Memorial. I haven’t tried to use a tripod near the White House in years – security came to talk to me last time I was there – handholding a camera with a 75-300 mm lens.
Usually – if you aren’t inside the monuments – and it’s not crowded – it’s not too big of a problem. In general – the Park Rangers are great – it’s some of the security guards who have the problems with tripods.
If someone tells you that you can’t use your tripod – it’s best to just smile, apologize, and go find something else to photograph. It’s not worth arguing with them.
Hope this helps. Good luck with your DC trip
Patty
Thanks for the tip. One more question, since you mentioned the White House and being approached, will they approach if you are carrying the tripod but not use it or if you’re wearing a backpack (to hide the tripod)? Again, reading all these stories about tripod and prohibited items, I’m trying to pack very light and not walk around with these things but I don’t have time to go back and forth to drop off/pick up prohibited items which differ per site. I took the White House off my list of things to see due to the security fear but I can’t go to DC w/o seeing it and taking my picture there! 😉
I’m not sure what they’ll do at the White House if you have a tripod with you – but aren’t using it. It’s probably better to have it out in the open over your shoulder – than trying to hide it. Hiding funny shaped objects will attract attention.
It may depend on who is on duty. If they do approach you – just tell them you are taking photos. They usually then just tell you that you can’t do whatever it is that you are doing. And if you’re polite – and stop doing whatever it is they don’t want you to do – it’s annoying but that’s it.
Especially for the White House – you may want to make sure you have your camera in hand – ready to shoot when you get there. That way – you can probably take a photo or two before anyone approaches you – if that’s what they decide to do.
Good luck. Let me know how it goes at the White House
Patty
I’m not sure if this is still relevant, but having been accosted, I can give first-hand knowledge. In March, 2008, when I was photographing the White House, I was using a tripod. The security guard approached me and told me that, while I could carry the tripod, I could not have it set up. I am not sure if this is an actual rule or a security guard going over the top, but if you do carry one, I recommend carrying it in plain sight as already recommended. Once I picked up the tripod, the security guard walked away and I did not have any further issues.
I jsut got back from DC and encountered a security guard at the Lincoln Memorial that must have been drunk with power or something because he told me it was against Federal Regulations for me to bring my tripd anywhere near the monument and that if I wanted to use it I had to do so from the street. He even went as far as to walk me to the street. However when I questioned him in reference to the “Federal Regulation” he couldn’t seem to tell me which one it was or which Federal Statute it was mentioned in. I have a feeling he’s full of crap but when I find out for sure I will post again and let you all know. I have a few friends in the Fed that I am gong to check with on this supposed regulation and by the way if they aren’t going to allow tripods that should add that to the sign of stuff they don’t allow at the monument because all it says on that sign is no food/drink is permitted
Hello, i’m a student at Cape Henlopen Highschool in Delaware. I was searching images on google for washington d.c and your pictures came up. My partner and I are competing in BPA (business professionals of America). We are participating in the computer animation team and the subject is Washington d.c. I will not use these pictures for any wrong doing or polliticaly incorrect actions. I would appreciate your permission to use your photos. Thank you