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First Division Monument

President's Park, Washington DC

184-163645732 First Division Monument in Washington DC.

Monuments & Landmarks
National Mall, War Memorials, Washington DC

The First Division Monument, standing in President’s Park next to the White House and in front of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, is dedicated to those who served and died in the First Division of the American Expeditionary Forces. It was built to commemorate those First Division members who died in World War I, but in subsequent decades the names of First Division members from World War II and the Vietnam War have been added as well.

The whole monument stands 80 feet high with a gilded bronze statue of a winged Lady Victory on top. The column of pink granite she stands on is from the same area as that of the Lincoln Memorial and the John Ericsson Memorial, but in this case, it’s a single piece of granite–one of the largest single pieces of granite ever extracted from a quarry in the United States.1 It was dedicated by President Calvin Coolidge on October 4, 1924.

Photos of the First Division Monument

First Division Monument & Eisenhower Executive Office Building

How to Get to the First Division Monument

The monument is in President’s Park, the opposite side of the White House from the General Sherman Monument. If you’re walking from the Washington Monument facing the White House, the First Division Monument is across the Ellipse veering left, in front of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building.

If you’re going by public transport, the nearest metro stops are McPherson Square (Orange and Blue lines; 0.5 miles), Federal Triangle (Orange and Blue lines; 0.6 miles), or Metro Center (Orange, Blue, and Red lines; 0.6 miles).

The streets immediately around the White House are sealed off to motorized traffic and offer no parking or access. If you’re willing to walk several blocks there are a number of commercial parking garages in the downtown area and you might be able to find metered on-street parking.

Official Website

NPS: President’s Park (White House)

Taking Photos at the First Division Monument

Under normal circumstances, there are no access restrictions day or night. From time to time, the extra security measures around the White House might mean that the area is closed off temporarily.

There’s no problem using a flash or tripod most of the time. But use common sense with all the extra security around the White House.

Commercial shoots and filming may require a permit.


  1. James M. Goode, Washington Sculpture: A Cultural History of Outdoor Sculpture in the Nation’s Capital (Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press, 2008), 113. ↩

Nearby & Related:

  • 184-162848715 General Sherman Monument with Sun and Blue Sky from Front Right.
    General William T. Sherman Monument
  • Washington Monument Reflected on the Tidal Basin Predawn
    Washington Monument
  • Washington DC Cherry Blossoms - February 27, 2017
    How-to Guide | Cherry Blossoms with the Washington Monument
  • DC Cherry Blossom Watch Update - April 4, 2018
    How-to Guide: Jefferson Memorial and Washington Monument through Round Portals
  • Sunrise at the Lincoln Memorial During the Equinox
    Lincoln Memorial
  • White House in the Snow
    The White House

Washington DC Visitor Guides

If you're coming in from out of town, here are some of the most popular guidebooks that can help you make the most of your visit.

Fodor's Washington, D.C.: with Mount Vernon, Alexandria & Annapolis...
Fodor's Washington, D.C.: with Mount Vernon, Alexandria & Annapolis...
  • Fodor's Travel Guides (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
Check Price on Amazon
Fodor's Washington D.C 25 Best 2021 (Full-color Travel Guide)
Fodor's Washington D.C 25 Best 2021 (Full-color Travel Guide)
  • Fodor’s Travel Guides (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
Check Price on Amazon
Frommer's EasyGuide to Washington, D.C. 2020
Frommer's EasyGuide to Washington, D.C. 2020
  • Pratt, Meredith (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
Check Price on Amazon
Lonely Planet Washington, DC (City Guide)
Lonely Planet Washington, DC (City Guide)
  • Lonely Planet (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
Check Price on Amazon

And here are some interesting options for less traditional guidesbooks if you'd like an emphasis on exploring DC on foot or diving into some of the region's rich history.

National Geographic Walking Washington, D.C. (National Geographic Walking...
National Geographic Walking Washington, D.C. (National Geographic Walking...
  • NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC
  • Kennedy, Barbara Noe (Author)
Check Price on Amazon
A History Lover's Guide to Washington, D.C.: Designed for Democracy...
A History Lover's Guide to Washington, D.C.: Designed for Democracy...
  • Fortier, Alison (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
Check Price on Amazon

David Coleman Photography

I’m a professional travel & location photographer based in Washington DC and traveling all over. Seven continents. Dozens of countries. Up mountains. Under water. And a bunch of places in between. You can find my main site at havecamerawilltravel.com. Or check out what’s in my go-to travel photography kit.


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      # Monuments & Landmarks
      # National Mall
      # War Memorials
      # Washington DC



About David Coleman

I take photos. I travel. I write. I do it for a living.

I’m based in Washington, DC.

You can find more of my work at havecamerawilltravel.com.

And if you’re visiting DC in the spring, be sure to check out my DC Cherry Blossom Watch site.

David Coleman Photography

I’m a professional travel & location photographer based in Washington DC and traveling all over. Seven continents. Dozens of countries. Up mountains. Under water. And a bunch of places in between. You can find my main site at havecamerawilltravel.com. Or check out what’s in my go-to travel photography kit. Or get in touch here.

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If you already have a buyer account with Alamy and would prefer to use that, you can search my images directly here.

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