Franklin was a fifth cousin of President Theodore Roosevelt and Eleanor was Teddy's niece. FDR was paralyzed from the waist down due to an infection which may have been either polio or possible Guillain-Barré syndrome. He was elected to four terms as President, though he died of a stroke less than six months into his last term. He saw the country through all the crises between the years 1932 and 1945. His death came less than a month before V-E Day (May 8) which began the end of World War II.
The memorial is vast due to the commemoration of each presidential term. It was dedicated in May 1997 by President Clinton and is the only Presidential memorial to feature a tribute and statue of the First Lady. (Eleanor was also very politically active and was the first US delegate to the United Nations.) The memorial is made of beautiful rosy granite and includes water as a major theme. I quote wikipedia:
"Running water is an important physical and metaphoric component of the memorial. Each of the four "rooms" representing Roosevelt's respective terms in office contains a waterfall. As one moves from room to room, the waterfalls become larger and more complex, reflecting the increasing complexity of a presidency marked by the vast upheavals of economic depression and world war. When the memorial first opened, people were encouraged to wade into the fountains and waterfalls. Within a matter of days, the National Park Service prohibited people from entering the water because they were unable to get insurance.
Tour guides describe the symbolism of the five main water areas as:
• A single large drop- The crash of the economy that led to the Great Depression
• Multiple stairstep drops- The Tennessee Valley Authority dam-building project
• Chaotic falls at varying angles- World War II
• A still pool- Roosevelt's death
• A wide array combining the earlier waterfalls- A retrospective of Roosevelt's presidency"
Many quotes from his speeches and writings are carved on the walls and even my 9 year old had heard "We have nothing to fear but fear itself." There are also bronze sculptures depicting men in a bread line and someone listening to a "fireside chat" on the radio. Even his trusty dog, Fala is immortalized. One section contains an installation which can be seen and/or felt. At the end- just past the restrooms- there is a path down to the lovely tidal basin walkway.
Thinking back, there's plenty to dislike about the man and even his policies, but also plenty to admire. It's a beautiful memorial either way: thought-provoking, restful, well laid-out and open until 11:30pm.
