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District of Columbia World War I Memorial

National Mall, Washington DC

World War One Memorial in the Snow

Monuments & Landmarks
Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, National Mall, Washington DC

This page refers to the District of Columbia World War I Memorial, which is on the southern side of the National Mall, near the Tidal Basin. A new National World War I Memorial is planned to go in Pershing Park, next to the White House. It was originally expected to open for the centennial of the end of World War I, in November 2018, but progress has been mired in controversy and a dedication has been pushed back to at least November 2021.

The District of Columbia World War I Memorial near the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool isn’t well known or much visited. It has been neglected and forgotten for decades but in recent years it has finally gotten some long-overdue attention.

The DC World War I Memorial is the only city-centric monument on the National Mall. It’s dedicated to the 26,000 or so Washingtonians who served in World War I and is sometimes referred to as the DC War Memorial. Inscribed on its base are the names of the Washingtonians who died in the war, and unusually for the time, it includes the names of all Washingtonians who died, regardless of race, ethnicity, or gender.

Shaped like a much smaller, much simpler version of the Jefferson Memorial, it was designed as a domed band stand. It was dedicated on Remembrance Day 1931, on the 11th hour of the 11th day in the 11th month. President Herbert Hoover was on hand for the ceremony, and the band was conducted by John Philip Sousa. Construction was paid for by Washington DC, including a fundraising drive that asked the District’s school students to donate 5 cents in exchange for a “535” badge denoting the number of Washingtonians who did not come back from the war.

The DC World War I Memorial was neglected for decades, but in recent years it has received some much-needed attention thanks to a $7.3 million grant from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Landscaping has been upgraded, trees that had obscured access cleared, the cracked and fading stonework has been repaired and renovated, the lighting upgraded, and a small paved piazza on its southern front added in keeping with its 1930s vision.

The World War I 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 George Mason Memorial.

There are memorials on the National Mall commemorating those who served in World War II, the Vietnam War, and the Korean War, but there is no national memorial for those who served in World War I. It has not been for lack of trying, and it’s about to change. After 100 years a new National World War I Memorial has begun in Pershing Park, next to the White House. It’s expected to be opened to the public in 2018 for the hundredth anniversary of the end of World War I.

Photos of the DC World War I Memorial

World War I Memorial, Washington DC

District of Columbia World War I Memorial

Remembrance Wall at the World War I Memorial in Washington DC

World War I Memorial, Washington DC

Spring Flowers at the World War I Memorial in Washington DC

Dome of the Renovated World War I Memorial in Washington DC

Spring Flowers at the World War I Memorial in Washington DC

Plaque at the World War I Memorial in Washington DC

World War I Memorial in Washington DC

Remembrance Wall at the World War I Memorial in Washington DC

World War I Memorial, Washington DC

World War I Memorial, Washington DC

World War I Memorial in Washington DC

World War One Memorial in the Snow

How to Get to the DC World War I Memorial

The World War I Memorial is directly across the street from the MLK Memorial.

As with most of the National Mall, the most convenient Metro stop is the Smithsonian stop (0.9 miles) on the Orange line. Metro has a handy Trip Planner and here’s a map of the Metro lines.

There’s no parking right near the Memorial, although there’s usually parking along the waterfront of West Potomac Park.

There are no entrance fees, reservations, or tickets for the World War I Memorial.

Taking Photos at the DC World War I Memorial

The World War I Memorial is accessible all day and night. There’s no problem using a tripod or flash. It’s very rarely crowded, and you’ll often have it to yourself.

Commercial shoots may require a permit

Nearby & Related:

  • MLK Memorial
    Martin Luther King Jr National Memorial
  • World War Two Memorial fountains at night
    National World War II Memorial
  • Korean War Veterans Memorial Reflection, Washington DC
    Korean War Veterans Memorial
  • Statue at the John Paul Jones Memorial in Washington DC
    Commodore John Paul Jones Memorial
  • Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool Winter Mists Reflection
    Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool
  • DC Cherry Blossom Watch Update: April 11, 2018
    Japanese Lantern at the Tidal Basin

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
Lonely Planet Washington, DC (Travel Guide)
Lonely Planet Washington, DC (Travel Guide)
  • Amazon Kindle Edition
  • Planet, Lonely (Author)
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

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: DC World War I Memorial
Coordinates:
      Latitude: 38.887593
      Longitude: -77.043485

      # Monuments & Landmarks
      # Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool
      # National Mall
      # 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.

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


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