John Ericsson National Memorial, Memorial sculpture on the National Mall, Washington D.C., United States.
John Ericsson National Memorial is a sculpture installation on the National Mall featuring a seated portrait of the inventor alongside three standing figures representing adventure, labor, and vision in pink granite. The ensemble occupies a defined space with informational displays and is positioned at a major intersection of the park's pathways.
Congress authorized the memorial in 1916, and President Calvin Coolidge dedicated it alongside Swedish Crown Prince Gustaf Adolf on May 29, 1926. The dedication after World War I reflected growing recognition of how Ericsson's innovations had reshaped military naval capabilities.
The memorial celebrates the bond between American and Swedish cultures through its tribute to a Swedish-born inventor whose innovations shaped naval warfare. Visitors encounter how two nations united to honor a figure whose legacy connected them through technological progress.
The memorial sits at the intersection of Ohio Drive and Independence Avenue on the National Mall and is accessible via walkways from surrounding areas. Information displays at the site provide background on the inventor's contributions, and parking facilities are located nearby.
The memorial's base features a compass design pattern, symbolizing Ericsson's contributions to navigation and maritime technology. This geometric feature is easy to overlook from ground level but reveals its symbolic intent when seen from above.
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