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George Mason Memorial

Tidal Basin, Washington DC

George Mason Memorial Reflection in Washington DC

Photo by David Coleman

Monuments & Landmarks
National Mall, Tidal Basin, Washington DC, West Potomac Park

In late-2017, the National Park Service began a year-long restoration project of the George Mason Memorial. The project includes reconstruction the central fountain, adding more perennial plantings, and maintenance of the statue, trellis and inscriptions. You can find more about the project here.

A Virginia plantation owner, reluctant public servant, and author of the Virginia Declaration of Rights, a document that helped inspire the American Declaration of Independence, and attendee at the 1787 Constitutional Convention, Mason was called by Thomas Jefferson “the wisest man of his generation” and regarded by George Washington as a mentor. He is widely hailed as an early champion of human rights and his writings helped inspire the 1948 United Nations Declaration of Human Rights.

The Mason Memorial was dedicated in April 2002, although the garden and fountain date back to 1905; the memorial was designed to incorporate those existing elements. Its centerpiece is a slightly larger-than-life bronze statue by Wendy M. Ross of Mason seated on a stone bench under a pergola. Ross depicted Mason in a very relaxed pose looking out over a garden and fountain. In his hand is a copy of Cicero’s De Officiis and on the bench next to him is his hat, staff, and books by Locke and Rousseau.1

The George Mason Memorial is one of only three locations in the National Mall and Memorial Parks system where wedding ceremonies are permitted (with a permit). The others are the West Lawn of the Jefferson Memorial and the DC War Memorial/World War I Memorial.

Photos of the George Mason Memorial

George Mason Memorial Washington DC

George Mason Memorial Washington DC

Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

George Mason Memorial in Washington DC

Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

George Mason Memorial

Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

George Mason Memorial Washington DC

Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

George Mason Memorial in Washington DC

Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

George Mason Memorial Washington DC

Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

George Mason Memorial in Washington DC

Two of the sculpted books at the George Mason Memorial in Washington DC: Rouseau’s “Du contrat social” (Social Contract) and John Locke’s “On Understanding” (An Essay Concerning Human Understanding). Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

George Mason Memorial Washington DC

Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

George Mason Memorial in Washington DC

Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

George Mason Memorial Statue

Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

Getting to the George Mason Memorial

The George Mason Memorial is next to the southern shore of the Tidal Basin, right by the Jefferson Memorial.

The closest metro stop is Smithsonian (0.9 miles) (Orange line). Metro has a handy Trip Planner and here’s a map of the Metro lines.

All of the parking nearby is now metered with Parkmobile spots. There are three small parking lots nearby, behind the Memorial and just past the bridges. It’s a short walk from those to the Memorial. There is also usually parking along the side of West Potomac Park across the other side of the small stone bridge. There’s also a parking lot on the opposite side of the Tidal Basin, although that’s a significantly longer walk to the George Mason Memorial from there.

Official Website

NPS

Taking Photos at the George Mason Memorial

The Mason Memorial is accessible all day and night. There’s some lighting at night (but not a lot). There’s no problem using a tripod or flash.

In the early spring, there are several tulip magnolia trees that are especially striking when they’re in bloom (usually a week or two ahead of the cherry blossoms nearby. With low-hanging branches and appearing before the cherry blossoms, they’re a very good option if you’re looking for a colorful background to take family or portrait photos but are too early for the cherry blossoms.

Commercial photo 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), 491. ↩

Nearby & Related:

  • Jefferson Memorial in Washington DC
    The Jefferson Memorial
  • Pentagon Memorial with flowers
    Pentagon Memorial
  • Vietnam Memorial, Washington DC, at Sunrise
    Vietnam Veterans Memorial
  • Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool Winter Mists Reflection
    Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool
  • Korean War Veterans Memorial Reflection, Washington DC
    Korean War Veterans Memorial
  • Cuban Friendship Urn in Washington DC
    Cuban Friendship Urn

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 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
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
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
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

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.


Location: George Mason Memorial
Coordinates:
      Latitude: 38.879623
      Longitude: -77.039194

      # Monuments & Landmarks
      # National Mall
      # Tidal Basin
      # Washington DC
      # West Potomac Park



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.

Licensing Images

Looking for travel stock photos or prints? I might be able to help. You can search my collection here:

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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© 2009–2021 David Coleman · Have Camera Will Travel LLC · all rights reserved


Photos by David Coleman. Please contact me for licensing images.
All images are registered with the U.S. Copyright Office.


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