If the monuments in Washington, DC were a family, the Lincoln Memorial is the dramatic eldest son who moved to the big city, became philosophical, and now sits in the corner silently judging everyone. In other words…my kind of guy.
I’ve been to a lot of monuments, but the Lincoln Memorial hits different. Maybe it’s the solemn glow from the marble. Maybe it’s the vibe of “we’ve gathered here to reflect on democracy and also take a hundred selfies.” Maybe it’s the fact that the man himself is sitting there with the world’s most iconic “I’m not mad, I’m just disappointed” face.
But let’s dig in. Because beyond the Instagrammable steps and national-treasure energy, this place is loaded with history, symbolism, and the occasional architectural drama.
First: The Vibes
Walking up the steps of the Lincoln Memorial feels like you’re approaching a temple because, fun fact, it was literally designed to look like one. Architect Henry Bacon went full Greco-Roman fanboy and modeled it after a neoclassical Doric temple. If you’ve ever stared at it and thought, “This looks like it should have Zeus brooding inside,” you’re not wrong.
Except instead of Zeus, we have Abraham Lincoln, the man who freed the enslaved, held a nation together, and somehow made a beard trendy before Brooklyn hipsters existed.
Inside, the chamber is cavernous and echo-y which is perfect for contemplating the meaning of life, or for hearing someone’s kid loudly announce, “HE’S HUGE.”
Fun Historical Fact #1: This Was Not the First Choice for a Lincoln Memorial
In the late 1800s, Congress argued over how to honor Lincoln. One idea? A giant road. Another? A 70-foot statue of Lincoln reaching out to free a slave (which sounds cinematic but would have been a logistics nightmare).
Eventually, they landed on the temple idea — because nothing says “we respect you” like turning you into an ancient deity.
Construction started in 1914, fueled by marble, granite, and what I assume were gallons of coffee.
Fun Historical Fact #2: Lincoln Isn’t Actually 19 Feet Tall
He looks enormous but that’s perspective magic. Daniel Chester French, the sculptor, made Lincoln 19 feet tall so he wouldn’t look small in the giant chamber.
If he were standing, he’d be about 28 feet tall. Like a stone Gandalf.
Also: the statue wasn’t carved from a single block. It’s made of 28 separate pieces of Georgia marble carefully stitched together like very fancy granite Legos.
Fun Historical Fact #3: The Emancipation Hands Conspiracy Theory
For decades, people have insisted that Lincoln’s hands are shaped to sign “A” and “L” in American Sign Language. Cute theory. Absolutely not true.
French used ASL models while sculpting, but the hand positions are more “tired dad” than “secret code.”
That said, the rumor is iconic. I choose to believe Lincoln would enjoy being the subject of mildly nerdy conspiracy theories.
Fun Historical Fact #4: The Memorial Was Built on a Swamp
Like most things in DC, the Lincoln Memorial sits on reclaimed land. During construction, workers drove 122 massive concrete piers deep into the soggy ground to keep the building from sinking into the Potomac like a marble Titanic.
The whole thing is basically sitting on architectural life support.
Fun Historical Fact #5: It’s a Stage for History
The Lincoln Memorial isn’t just a pretty building, it’s a backdrop for some of the most important moments in American civil rights history.
- 1939: Marian Anderson performed here after being barred from Constitution Hall because racism.
- 1963: Martin Luther King Jr. delivered the “I Have a Dream” speech on its steps.
- Every year since: 8 million tourists reenact this by loudly quoting, “FREEEEEDOOOM!” even though that’s from Braveheart.
If the memorial had a résumé, it would be more impressive than most senators’.
Fun Historical Fact #6: There’s a Secret Room (Well… There Was)
Beneath the memorial lies a cavernous undercroft of concrete columns. It’s an almost mythic space that looks like it should house treasure, a sword in a stone, or at least a couple of 1920s ghosts smoking hand-rolled cigarettes.
It was closed after asbestos was discovered, but restoration is underway to open it to the public. Soon you’ll be able to wander under Lincoln’s butt and feel history pressing down on you. Literally.
Why This Memorial Slaps
Here’s why the Lincoln Memorial sticks with you long after you leave:
- It’s massive but humble. A temple built for a man who believed in equality hits just right.
- It glows at night like a marble lantern. Perfect for photos or dramatic monologues.
- It’s a symbol of progress. Not perfection. Progress.
- Lincoln’s face radiates eternal parental disappointment. Weirdly comforting.
Standing in front of it, you feel small in a good way. Like your problems matter, but also don’t. Like America is messy, but maybe we can figure it out if we sit quietly, think deeply, and stare into the eyes of a giant stone dad.
Conclusion: Go See the Big Marble Man
If you haven’t been to the Lincoln Memorial, go. Take the steps slowly. Stand in the chamber. Read the Gettysburg Address carved into the stone walls. Let the weight of history settle in. And when you look up at Lincoln, give him a little nod… the kind you give someone who’s been through some things.
Because in a city full of monuments, the Lincoln Memorial doesn’t just tell you something.
It asks you something:
“How are you showing up for democracy today?”
Deep? Yes. Dramatic? Absolutely. On brand for the world’s most iconic stone dad?
You bet.
