Image of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. The memorial is a large, neoclassical structure resembling a Greek temple. Inside, a massive seated statue of Abraham Lincoln gazes forward, with his hands resting on the arms of a large chair.

About this experience

The Lincoln Memorial

Washington D.C., United States of America

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Published: 2024 (v1)

Story outline

  • A Temple to Democracy

    Welcome to the virtual tour of the Lincoln Memorial, where we will explore the iconic tribute to Abraham Lincoln. On our journey through this experience, we will move through the Memorial and discover the history, symbolism, and grandeur of one of America's most revered spaces. We will hear from dedicated stewards of this site, and others on the National Mall as they share information on the life of Lincoln, and the life that this Memorial has taken on.

  • Stop 1. Honoring Lincoln

    ''Perhaps a man's character was like a tree, and his reputation like its shadow; the shadow is what we think of it, the tree is the real thing.'' - Abraham Lincoln

  • Stop 2. Words of Legacy

    ''With malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in; to bind up the nation's wounds; to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow and his orphan - to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace, among ourselves, and with all nations.'' -Abraham Lincoln

  • Stop 3. United in Stone

    ''We are not enemies, but friends. We must not be enemies. Though passion may have strained, it must not break our bonds of affection. The mystic chords of memory, stretching from every battlefield and patriot grave to every living heart and hearthstone all over this broad land, will yet swell the chorus of the Union, when again touched, as surely they will be, by the better angels of our nature.'' - Abraham Lincoln

  • Stop 4. From Marsh to Memorial

    ''Beavers build houses; but they build them in nowise differently, or better now, than they did, five thousand years ago. Ants, and honey-bees, provide food for winter; but just in the same way they did, when Solomon referred the sluggard to them as patterns of prudence. Man is not the only animal who labors; but he is the only one who improves his workmanship.'' - Abraham Lincoln

  • Stop 5. Power of Assembly

    ''Stand with anybody that stands right. Stand with him while he is right and part with him when he goes wrong.'' - Abraham Lincoln

  • Stop 6. Voices for the Future

    ''My friends, no one, not in my situation, can appreciate my feeling of sadness at this parting. To this place, and the kindness of these people, I owe everything. Here I have lived a quarter of a century, and have passed from a young to an old man. Here my children have been born, and one is buried. I now leave, not knowing when, or whether ever, I may return, with a task before me greater than that which rested upon Washington. Without the assistance of the Divine Being who ever attended him, I cannot succeed. With that assistance I cannot fail. Trusting in Him who can go with me, and remain with you, and be everywhere for good, let us confidently hope that all will yet be well. To His care commending you, as I hope in your prayers you will commend me, I bid you an affectionate farewell.'' - Abraham Lincoln

Voices

  • A woman in a park ranger uniform is seated, smiling, with a dark background and dried flowers visible behind her.

    Bethany Bagent

    Education Specialist, NPS

    Bethany Bagent is an Education Specialist with the National Park Service. She has worked at the National Mall and Memorial Parks for over two decades, contributing to a variety of projects, including event planning and educational programs.
  • A park ranger with curly gray hair and pink glasses smiles while seated, with a plant visible in the background.

    Teresa Taylor

    Park Ranger, NPS

    Teresa Taylor is an Education Specialist with the National Park Service.
  • A woman in a white blouse smiles at the camera while seated on a gray couch near a window with a view of trees.

    Johanna McCrehan

    Urban Planner, NCPC

    Johanna McCrehan is an urban planner in the National Capital Planning Commission’s Policy and Research Division. Her work focuses on commemoration in the nation’s capital, security in the public realm, and comprehensive planning.

Partners

About the Project

Welcome to the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. This iconic structure honors the 16th President of the United States, who led the nation through its Civil War and worked to end slavery. As you explore, you'll encounter the grand statue of Lincoln, powerful inscriptions of his speeches, and the memorial’s striking neoclassical design.

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Credits

This experience was created by Sunhyeong Kong, Jaden Sivananthan, and Belle Steinberg, local High School students enrolled in the Trust for the National Mall's Youth Ambassadors Program. This project could not have been completed without contributions from Aviva Gould, Gabriella Larsen, and Erin Plant (Trust for the National Mall) and Emmanuel Ekekwe (National Park Service).