The Evolution of Presidential Memorials in America: From Garfields’s Tomb to Mount Rushmore
The Legacy of President James Garfield and Its Monumental Commemoration
On July 2, 1881, just four months into his presidency, James Garfield was tragically shot by a disturbed office seeker. Despite surviving the initial attack, Garfield succumbed to sepsis after two and a half months, sparking a wave of national mourning. The nation responded with elaborate funeral processions, a dedicated funeral train, and a series of commemorative ceremonies. Nearly a decade later, a grand memorial and tomb dedicated to Garfield was unveiled atop a hill overlooking Lake Erie in Cleveland, symbolizing the nation’s desire to honor its fallen leader.
Designed by architect George Keller, the Garfield memorial resembles a medieval fortress, constructed in Romanesque style with heavy stonework and a cylindrical tower featuring arched windows. Its interior and exterior are adorned with Victorian decorative elements, including stained glass and a shimmering golden mosaic dome that crowns the central chamber. While visually striking, the monument’s grandeur seems disproportionate to Garfield’s actual achievements or the enduring impact of his presidency.
Shaping a National Identity Through Memorial Architecture
Historians Thomas Luebke and Kay Fanning observe that Garfield’s death marked a pivotal moment in American collective memory, intertwining his assassination with that of Abraham Lincoln, who was murdered 16 years earlier. Luebke, the secretary of the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts (CFA), and Fanning, the commission’s historian, have collaborated on “American Shrines: The Architecture of Presidential Commemoration,” a richly illustrated volume that explores the complex history of presidential memorials, burial sites, and libraries across the United States.
The memorial to Garfield inaugurated a new era in how Americans memorialize their presidents. Following Garfield’s death, other prominent figures received similar tributes: Ulysses S. Grant’s tomb was dedicated in 1897 by President William McKinley in New York City, and in 1907, Theodore Roosevelt unveiled a colossal memorial to McKinley in Ohio, inspired by the austere tomb of Theodoric the Great in Ravenna, Italy. These monuments set a precedent for grand, often neoclassical, memorials that would dominate the landscape of Washington, D.C., and other major cities, culminating in recent additions like the Eisenhower Memorial, dedicated in 2020.
The Cultural and Political Significance of Memorial Architecture
The grandeur of these memorials reflects a period when the United States was consolidating its national identity, especially in the aftermath of the Civil War and as it emerged as a global power. Fanning suggests that these structures symbolize the country’s efforts to reconcile its internal divisions and forge a cohesive narrative of democracy and strength. They serve as visual anchors for collective trauma and triumph, offering a sense of continuity and purpose.
Luebke notes that early American memorialization was characterized by simplicity and humility. The first memorial to George Washington, a modest 30-foot stone tower in Boonesboro, Maryland, exemplifies this restrained approach. Many early presidential markers, such as those for Madison and Adams, were basic and functional, often limited to cemetery stones or modest plaques. Unlike other nations, the U.S. lacks a formal pantheon or a grand burial site akin to Westminster Abbey, where British prime ministers and monarchs are interred.
From Humble Beginnings to Monumental Grandeur
Throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries, memorials grew more elaborate, mirroring America’s expanding wealth and influence. The City Beautiful movement, which aimed to beautify urban spaces with grand boulevards and monumental architecture, played a significant role in transforming Washington into a landscape of national remembrance. The Mall, flanked by memorials to Lincoln and Grant, became a symbolic corridor representing the Civil War’s enduring legacy and the nation’s ongoing quest for reconciliation.
Luebke highlights a recurring pattern: the landscape is structured around key war memorials, with presidential monuments often positioned along the same axes. Lincoln and Grant anchor the east-west axis, while Washington and Jefferson define the north-south corridor. Roosevelt and Eisenhower are memorialized along the southern side of the National Mall, emphasizing the interconnectedness of military leadership and presidential authority.
The Shift Toward Presidential Libraries and Cultural Memory
Interestingly, the role of memorials has shifted from monumental tombs to presidential libraries, which serve as repositories of records, museums, and cultural sites. These libraries, managed by the National Archives, often function as presidential theme parks, blending historical preservation with public engagement. For example, the Hoover Presidential Library in California includes the reconstructed birthplace of Herbert Hoover, and several presidents-Truman, Eisenhower, Nixon, Ford, Reagan, and H.W. Bush-are buried at their respective libraries.
This evolution raises questions about how America chooses to remember its leaders. The upcoming memorialization of Ronald Reagan, who died in 2004, is governed by the 1986 Commemorative Works Act, which mandates a 25-year waiting period before a memorial can be constructed. While efforts to establish a national memorial for John Adams and his family are ongoing, no formal plans are currently underway.
Contemporary and Future Memorials: Mount Rushmore and Beyond
In addition to official memorials, iconic sites like Mount Rushmore have become part of America’s cultural landscape. Carved into the Black Hills of South Dakota, Mount Rushmore features the faces of four presidents-Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln, and Theodore Roosevelt-and has become a symbol of American patriotism and tourism. Initiated in 1927 during a period of national anxiety, the monument was completed during the early years of World War II, embodying resilience amid global turmoil.
However, not everyone views Mount Rushmore as a finished or ideal civic monument. Recently, Rep. Anna Paulina Luna introduced legislation proposing the addition of President Donald Trump’s likeness to the mountain, reflecting ongoing debates about presidential memorialization and national symbolism. Although the bill has yet to progress, it underscores the enduring desire to shape America’s collective memory through monumental art.
The Future of Presidential Commemoration
Looking ahead, the landscape of presidential memorials continues to evolve. The Barack Obama Presidential Center in Chicago, slated to open around 2026, exemplifies a modern approach-combining museum exhibits, educational programs, and community engagement. Meanwhile, the legacy of Mount Rushmore and other monuments remains a subject of debate, especially as discussions about representation, history, and national identity become more prominent.
In conclusion, the history of American presidential memorials reflects a journey from modest markers to grand architectural statements, mirroring the nation’s growth, struggles, and aspirations. As new memorials are conceived and existing ones reinterpreted, they continue to serve as powerful symbols of the country’s evolving identity and collective memory.