National Portrait Gallery

Explore the galleries: The National Portrait Gallery has over 23,000 portraits in its collection, including paintings, sculptures, and photographs. Take your time and explore the galleries to see portraits of presidents, artists, musicians, and other notable Americans.

See the 'America's Presidents' exhibit: This exhibit features portraits of all 45 U.S. presidents, along with biographical information and historical context.

Check out the 'Struggle for Justice' exhibit: This exhibit showcases portraits of civil rights leaders, including Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, and Thurgood Marshall.

Visit the 'Portraiture Now' exhibit: This rotating exhibit features contemporary portraits by emerging artists.

Take a guided tour: The National Portrait Gallery offers free tours led by docents who can provide insights into the artwork and history behind the portraits.

Attend a lecture or event: The museum hosts a variety of talks, lectures, and events throughout the year. Check the calendar to see what's happening during your visit.

Shop at the museum store: The museum store offers a wide selection of books, posters, and gifts related to the museum's collection and exhibits.

Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial

The Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial is dedicated to the 32nd President of the United States. The memorial is situated along the Tidal Basin, between the Jefferson Memorial and the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial.

The memorial is divided into four outdoor rooms, each representing one of Roosevelt's terms in office. The rooms feature a variety of sculptures and inscriptions related to Roosevelt's life and presidency and are separated by waterfalls and pools. The memorial covers a total of seven and a half acres and is accessible 24 hours a day.

One of the most iconic features of the memorial is the bronze statue of Roosevelt, seated in a wheelchair and surrounded by a wall of cascading water. The statue is a powerful reminder of Roosevelt's struggle with polio, which he contracted in 1921 and which left him paralyzed from the waist down.

The memorial also features a number of quotes from Roosevelt's speeches and writings, as well as sculptures depicting key moments from his presidency. One particularly striking sculpture features three figures, representing Americans suffering during the Great Depression, listening to Roosevelt's first inaugural address on a radio.

Visitors to the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial can take a self-guided tour using a brochure available at the entrance. There are also park rangers on site who can answer questions and provide additional information about the memorial.