George Mason Memorial
Encyclopedia
The George Mason Memorial is a memorial
to George Mason
in West Potomac Park
in Washington, D.C.
, the capital of the United States
.
It commemorates the contributions of George Mason, an important American Founder
who wrote the Virginia Declaration of Rights
and served as a delegate to the 1787 Constitutional Convention
in Philadelphia. Mason is often thought of as the "forgotten Founder."
Mason, an Anti-Federalist
, did not sign the United States Constitution
because it did not abolish the slave trade and because he did not think it had necessary protection for the individual from the federal government
. He was sometimes known as the "reluctant statesman
," which was also the title of a biography written about him by Robert A. Rutland.
The memorial was authorized by Public Law
101-358 on August 10, 1990, to be developed by the board of regents
of Gunston Hall
.
The site selected was close to the Jefferson Memorial
. The design features a 72 feet (21.9 m) long stone wall with a one-third larger than life-sized statue
of a sitting Mason, his legs crossed, and a circular pool
. The landscape architect
was Faye B. Harwell and the sculptor was Wendy M. Ross. The groundbreaking
was October 18, 2000, and the completed memorial was dedicated
on April 9, 2002.
The George Mason Memorial is administered as part of the National Park Service
and is within the jurisdiction of the National Mall and Memorial Parks
. It is located near the intersection of Ohio Drive and East Basin Drive, SW, which is in West Potomac Park, District of Columbia.
National Memorial
National Memorial is a designation in the United States for a protected area that memorializes a historic person or event. National memorials are authorized by the United States Congress...
to George Mason
George Mason
George Mason IV was an American Patriot, statesman and a delegate from Virginia to the U.S. Constitutional Convention...
in West Potomac Park
West Potomac Park
West Potomac Park is a U.S. national park in Washington, D.C., adjacent to the National Mall. It includes the parkland that extends south of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, from the Lincoln Memorial to the grounds of the Washington Monument...
in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
, the capital of the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
It commemorates the contributions of George Mason, an important American Founder
Founding Fathers of the United States
The Founding Fathers of the United States of America were political leaders and statesmen who participated in the American Revolution by signing the United States Declaration of Independence, taking part in the American Revolutionary War, establishing the United States Constitution, or by some...
who wrote the Virginia Declaration of Rights
Virginia Declaration of Rights
The Virginia Declaration of Rights is a document drafted in 1776 to proclaim the inherent rights of men, including the right to rebel against "inadequate" government...
and served as a delegate to the 1787 Constitutional Convention
Philadelphia Convention
The Constitutional Convention took place from May 14 to September 17, 1787, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to address problems in governing the United States of America, which had been operating under the Articles of Confederation following independence from...
in Philadelphia. Mason is often thought of as the "forgotten Founder."
Mason, an Anti-Federalist
Anti-Federalism
Anti-Federalism refers to a movement that opposed the creation of a stronger U.S. federal government and which later opposed the ratification of the Constitution of 1787. The previous constitution, called the Articles of Confederation, gave state governments more authority...
, did not sign the United States Constitution
United States Constitution
The Constitution of the United States is the supreme law of the United States of America. It is the framework for the organization of the United States government and for the relationship of the federal government with the states, citizens, and all people within the United States.The first three...
because it did not abolish the slave trade and because he did not think it had necessary protection for the individual from the federal government
Federal government of the United States
The federal government of the United States is the national government of the constitutional republic of fifty states that is the United States of America. The federal government comprises three distinct branches of government: a legislative, an executive and a judiciary. These branches and...
. He was sometimes known as the "reluctant statesman
Statesman
A statesman is usually a politician or other notable public figure who has had a long and respected career in politics or government at the national and international level. As a term of respect, it is usually left to supporters or commentators to use the term...
," which was also the title of a biography written about him by Robert A. Rutland.
History
Public law
Public law is a theory of law governing the relationship between individuals and the state. Under this theory, constitutional law, administrative law and criminal law are sub-divisions of public law...
101-358 on August 10, 1990, to be developed by the board of regents
Board of Regents
In the United States, a board often governs public institutions of higher education, which include both state universities and community colleges. In each US state, such boards may govern either the state university system, individual colleges and universities, or both. In general they operate as...
of Gunston Hall
Gunston Hall
Gunston Hall is an 18th-century Georgian mansion near the Potomac River in Mason Neck, Virginia, United States of America. The house was the home of the United States Founding Father George Mason. It was located at the center of a 5500 acre plantation...
.
The site selected was close to the Jefferson Memorial
Jefferson Memorial
The Thomas Jefferson Memorial is a presidential memorial in Washington, D.C. that is dedicated to Thomas Jefferson, an American Founding Father and the third President of the United States....
. The design features a 72 feet (21.9 m) long stone wall with a one-third larger than life-sized statue
Statue
A statue is a sculpture in the round representing a person or persons, an animal, an idea or an event, normally full-length, as opposed to a bust, and at least close to life-size, or larger...
of a sitting Mason, his legs crossed, and a circular pool
Reflecting pool
A reflecting pool or reflection pool is a water feature found in gardens, parks, and at memorial sites. It usually consists of a shallow pool of water, undisturbed by fountain jets, for a calm reflective...
. The landscape architect
Landscape architect
A landscape architect is a person involved in the planning, design and sometimes direction of a landscape, garden, or distinct space. The professional practice is known as landscape architecture....
was Faye B. Harwell and the sculptor was Wendy M. Ross. The groundbreaking
Groundbreaking
Groundbreaking, also known as cutting, sod-cutting, turning the first sod or a sod-turning ceremony, is a traditional ceremony in many cultures that celebrates the first day of construction for a building or other project. Such ceremonies are often attended by dignitaries such as politicians and...
was October 18, 2000, and the completed memorial was dedicated
Dedication
Dedication is the act of consecrating an altar, temple, church or other sacred building. It also refers to the inscription of books or other artifacts when these are specifically addressed or presented to a particular person. This practice, which once was used to gain the patronage and support of...
on April 9, 2002.
The George Mason Memorial is administered as part of the National Park Service
National Park Service
The National Park Service is the U.S. federal agency that manages all national parks, many national monuments, and other conservation and historical properties with various title designations...
and is within the jurisdiction of the National Mall and Memorial Parks
National Mall and Memorial Parks
National Mall and Memorial Parks is an administrative unit of the National Park Service encompassing many national memorials and other areas in Washington, D.C...
. It is located near the intersection of Ohio Drive and East Basin Drive, SW, which is in West Potomac Park, District of Columbia.
External links
- Official NPS website
- "George Mason Memorial Garden to Be Built near the National Mall", Mason Spirit, Winter 2001 (GMU Alumni magazine):
- "The Five-Minute Interview: Wendy M. Ross, Mason Statue Sculptor", The Mason Gazette, March 27, 2007, Colleen Kearney Rich
- "George Mason National Memorial", Wendy Ross Studio