This month marks the Centennial of the opening of the Lincoln Memorial. The National Park Service has a number of events planned for the celebration of one of our nation’s most recognized monuments. Here is info from the NPS on what is coming up:
Join the National Park Service and our partner organizations for a full month of special events, ranger programs and Junior Ranger activities as we lead up to the 100th anniversary of the dedication of the Lincoln Memorial on May 30, 2022. All programs are open to the public and free of charge.
A few of the highlights are listed and the full calendar of events is below. All programs take place at the Lincoln Memorial unless otherwise noted. Check back regularly, as programs are still being added!
The Labor that Built the Memorial – May 1, 11 a.m.
While many know the names of architect Henry Bacon and scultpor Daniel French, who were the individuals that worked on the memorial? Join a park ranger for a closer look at those who helped create the Lincoln Memorial and learn what they thought about Abraham Lincoln and his legacy.
While many know the names of architect Henry Bacon and scultpor Daniel French, who were the individuals that worked on the memorial? Join a park ranger for a closer look at those who helped create the Lincoln Memorial and learn what they thought about Abraham Lincoln and his legacy.
Lincoln Memorial Centennial Family Day – May 14, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Join the National Park Service, Ford’s Theatre Society, Library of Congress, National Archives, President Lincoln’s Cottage and Tudor Place for a Family Day in honor of the Lincoln Memorial Centennial. Meet staff from local historic sites and engage with hands-on activities that connect to the Lincoln Memorial story. Learn something new and be inspired to explore sites around the District. Plus – earn the special Lincoln Memorial Centennial commemorative Junior Ranger badge!
Join the National Park Service, Ford’s Theatre Society, Library of Congress, National Archives, President Lincoln’s Cottage and Tudor Place for a Family Day in honor of the Lincoln Memorial Centennial. Meet staff from local historic sites and engage with hands-on activities that connect to the Lincoln Memorial story. Learn something new and be inspired to explore sites around the District. Plus – earn the special Lincoln Memorial Centennial commemorative Junior Ranger badge!
The Lincoln Memorial in Pop Culture – May 14, 7:30 p.m
From Wonder Woman 1984 (left) to Batman comics, perhaps no national memorial has been featured more widely in popular culture and entertainment than the Lincoln Memorial. Faith Salie of NPR’s “Wait, Wait…Don’t Tell Me” and CBS Sunday Morning joins the National Park Service’s Mike Litterst for a look at some of the best-known examples across film, television, comics and more, and also considers how these uses have helped shape the cultural meaning of the Lincoln Memorial over the past 100 years. NOTE: Program takes place at the Sylvan Theater, on the southwest grounds of the Washington Monument at 15th Street SW and Independence Avenue SW.
From Wonder Woman 1984 (left) to Batman comics, perhaps no national memorial has been featured more widely in popular culture and entertainment than the Lincoln Memorial. Faith Salie of NPR’s “Wait, Wait…Don’t Tell Me” and CBS Sunday Morning joins the National Park Service’s Mike Litterst for a look at some of the best-known examples across film, television, comics and more, and also considers how these uses have helped shape the cultural meaning of the Lincoln Memorial over the past 100 years. NOTE: Program takes place at the Sylvan Theater, on the southwest grounds of the Washington Monument at 15th Street SW and Independence Avenue SW.
Commemorating Abraham Lincoln Through Oratory – May 17 and 18, 11 a.m.
Join us to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Lincoln Memorial and President Lincoln through a medium he was known for, the art of oratory. On Tuesday, May 17 and 18, DC Public and Public Charter School classrooms from Ford’s Lincoln Oratory Festival program will perform speeches by President Lincoln, as well as speeches by other powerful orators such as Frederick Douglass and Mary McLeod Bethune. In the majesty of the Lincoln Memorial, experience the power of oratory past and present, and leave inspired!
Join us to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Lincoln Memorial and President Lincoln through a medium he was known for, the art of oratory. On Tuesday, May 17 and 18, DC Public and Public Charter School classrooms from Ford’s Lincoln Oratory Festival program will perform speeches by President Lincoln, as well as speeches by other powerful orators such as Frederick Douglass and Mary McLeod Bethune. In the majesty of the Lincoln Memorial, experience the power of oratory past and present, and leave inspired!
Words Count: Marian Anderson at the Lincoln Memorial – May 16, 11 a.m.
Denied access to an indoor venue because of the color of her skin, Marian Anderson’s 1939 Easter Sunday concert at the Lincoln Memorial drew 75,000 spectators. Join a park ranger to learn how the controversy and Anderson’s ensuing performance transformed the memorial into a landmark for civil rights, an “it happened here” site, and served as an inspiration for Martin Luther King, Jr. to give his “I Have a Dream” speech where he did.
Denied access to an indoor venue because of the color of her skin, Marian Anderson’s 1939 Easter Sunday concert at the Lincoln Memorial drew 75,000 spectators. Join a park ranger to learn how the controversy and Anderson’s ensuing performance transformed the memorial into a landmark for civil rights, an “it happened here” site, and served as an inspiration for Martin Luther King, Jr. to give his “I Have a Dream” speech where he did.
Treasures of the Library of Congress – May 19, 5 p.m – 8 p.m.
In honor of the 100th anniversary of the Lincoln Memorial, the Library of Congress will exhibit its top treasures related to the memorial in the Great Hall. The exhibition is free, but timed-entry passes are required, available at on the Library website.
In honor of the 100th anniversary of the Lincoln Memorial, the Library of Congress will exhibit its top treasures related to the memorial in the Great Hall. The exhibition is free, but timed-entry passes are required, available at on the Library website.
Lincoln Memorial Centennial Celebration – May 22, 10 a.m.
The Lincoln Group of DC, in partnership with the National Park Service, will hold a ceremony “Building on Lincoln’s Vision of Unity and Equality” at the Lincoln Memorial to highlight the full range of meaning behind the Lincoln Memorial, from its original meaning as a memorial to Lincoln’s life and contribution as savior of the Union to becoming a symbol of civil rights. Participants will include Lincoln historian Harold Holzer; Dr. Edna Greene Medford, noted Lincoln scholar from Howard University; Dr. Charlotte Morris, president of Tuskegee University; and actor Steven Lang of Avatar, Gettysburg and Gods and Generals fame. The ceremony will also include musical accompaniment from the United States Marine Quintet and singer/actress Felicia Curry, who recently played Marian Anderson at the Ford’s Theatre production of My Lord, What a Night.
The Lincoln Group of DC, in partnership with the National Park Service, will hold a ceremony “Building on Lincoln’s Vision of Unity and Equality” at the Lincoln Memorial to highlight the full range of meaning behind the Lincoln Memorial, from its original meaning as a memorial to Lincoln’s life and contribution as savior of the Union to becoming a symbol of civil rights. Participants will include Lincoln historian Harold Holzer; Dr. Edna Greene Medford, noted Lincoln scholar from Howard University; Dr. Charlotte Morris, president of Tuskegee University; and actor Steven Lang of Avatar, Gettysburg and Gods and Generals fame. The ceremony will also include musical accompaniment from the United States Marine Quintet and singer/actress Felicia Curry, who recently played Marian Anderson at the Ford’s Theatre production of My Lord, What a Night.
The Lincoln Memorial and Civil Rights – May 28, 11 a.m.
The Lincoln Memorial designers sought to honor Abraham Lincoln by representing the reunited nation which Lincoln fought to preserve. But the story of unity told in stone, sculpture, and inscription is incomplete. Throughout the 100 years since its dedication, the memorial has served as America’s public square, where people gather to demand inclusion in that union. Join a park ranger for a look at how the meaning of the Lincoln Memorial has evolved over the years, from a monument to our 16th president to America’s foremost location for demonstrations focused on civil rights.
The Lincoln Memorial designers sought to honor Abraham Lincoln by representing the reunited nation which Lincoln fought to preserve. But the story of unity told in stone, sculpture, and inscription is incomplete. Throughout the 100 years since its dedication, the memorial has served as America’s public square, where people gather to demand inclusion in that union. Join a park ranger for a look at how the meaning of the Lincoln Memorial has evolved over the years, from a monument to our 16th president to America’s foremost location for demonstrations focused on civil rights.
