The Washington Monument Analysis

The Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, and other iconic national monuments have all been successful in commemorating certain times and figures in history. While these monuments are simple symbols of the United States' past, it required much thought and contemplation of certain factors to make them impactful and appropriate. In the development of a monument, an agency should consider the suggested location and the purpose behind the memorial, because these factors determine the monument’s suitability and efficiency in commemoration. As a vital portion of the commemoration process, the location of a monument determines its relevance and whether or not it will be deemed appropriate. In an online article concerning …show more content…
“Without having seen it, I couldn’t design the memorial, so a few of us traveled to Washington, D.C., and it was at the site that the idea for the design took place.” said Maya Lin, a designer of the Vietnam Veterans Monument (Lin). Lin made the right decision in visiting the future building site of the monument. The experience allowed her to expand the monument to its full potential using the land given. A monument is meant to attract attention and cause reflection, but it is not meant to seem misplaced and encompassing of the environment, as Lin goes on to say that she wanted the monument to “work with the land” (Lin). Because of the serene location of the Vietnam Veterans Monument, visitors are able to take the time to be still and remember those who fought in the war, in silence and without …show more content…
In an online article written by a freelance journalist, the author discusses the introduction of the idea of the Holocaust museum and the altercations it caused. “The controversy grew from Jewish and non-Jewish communities, primarily due to the fact that a museum dedicated to the memory of the Holocaust would be built in the United States, who did little to stop the Holocaust from occurring.” (Musser). The purpose of the Holocaust museum is to remember the Holocaust and all those who were victims of the massacre. While this was very thoughtful of the United States, it appeared unsuitable because of the country’s irrelevance in the situation. For example, imagine if Greenland decided to erect a monument in honor of George Washington. It may be courteous, but it is quite out-of-place because the purpose of the monument is uncharacteristic of the country and has nothing to do with its