56 Signers Of The Declaration Of Independence Memorial

A simple memorial with glorious views of the National Mall. The 56 Signers is an easily and often missed memorial as its a bit off the beaten track on the north side of the mall between the WWII memorial and Vietnam War memorial. It consists of a small island with engraved marble slabs, one for each of the 56 signers of our Declaration of Independence. A true act of treason in its time, each signatory thereafter committed their fortunes and lives to the endeavor of the colonies freedom from England. I’ve never once visited and had other people around. A great place to relax and take some nice pictures.

I ran into this memorial when taking a morning walk on the mall during my stay in DC. Never know it existed but was nice to see. It is a small monument with the names of the 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence carved in garnet. A great place to rest and reflect on what it took to start this country and the leadership behind it all.

Bottom Line: A small monument that serves as a nice place to reflect on the extremely important signing of the Declaration if Independence.
Today, the 114^th Congress has 535 members representing the 50 states of the United States of America that meet in Washington, D.C. In contrast, in 1776, the Second Continental Congress had 56 members representing the 13 British colonies that met in Philadelphia. This memorial is to those 56 men who signed a document, during the Revolutionary War, asserting that the 13 colonies were independent from Britain. The wording of the Declaration of Independence was approved by the 56 Congress members on July 4, 1776, hence Independence Day.
This memorial, located within Constitution Gardens, on the National Mall, is simple but marks a very important event in the history of the United States. The memorial consists of 56 granite blocks, one for each signer, that displays his signature. The granite blocks are arranged by state (DE, NJ, PA, GA, CT, MA, MD, SC, NH, VA, NY, NC & RI). For example, for Maryland, there are four blocks of granite for those four signers.
Although this memorial might not be too exciting to look at, it certainly begs questions about what it would have been like to have signed the Declaration of Independence. Part of me imagines 56 men getting together on a July afternoon in the hot, humid and certainly not air conditioned Independence Hall to take turns dipping their feather pen in the ink well and inscribing the document. However, history tells me it wasn’t this simple. Aside from wearing tights and powdered wigs in summer, signing of the Declaration of Independence would have been uncomfortable for other reasons. Certainly there was much discussion and debate about the scope and contents of the declaration and history tells us that signing the document was not unanimous. In fact, some members of Congress never signed the declaration because they wanted to make amends with Great Britain. More than the conditions, I think about the men who signed this document. Were the ridiculed at times for their views and desires to be independent? How did their individual visions for the Declaration of Independence differ from what was eventually signed? The Memorial to the 56 Signers of the Declaration of Independence provides a nice quiet spot to think about July 1776, and the months thereafter, and for that reason, I am a fan of this lesser known monument.

I, like several other reviewers, never knew this memorial existed. I just happened upon it because I took the wrong pathway on my way back from another memorial. I’m kind of glad I did. It is a beautiful memorial in a restful area that is otherwise busy with people.
The memorial sits on a small island in the Constitution Gardens. It is a subtle memorial that is befitting to the signers of the Declaration of Independence. There is nothing flashy about it. The small island that it sits on is very peaceful and a great place to just relax for a few minutes or hours. You get a great view of the Washington Monument from here which lends to some great photos with the reflection of the pond.
Each of the 56 stones are engraved with a single signature of the men that signed the Declaration of Independence. Along with their signature is the printed name of the singer as well as their occupation at the time.
A definite must when you are in DC.

I’ve lived in DC for 8 years and thought I had been to every DC memorial. This one proved that wrong. It’s a small circular memorial in the Constitution Gardens to the right of the Reflecting Pool if you are facing the Lincoln Memorial. You walk over a wooden walk way to this little island with a slab of marble with each the signers signature and profession on it. It’s fun to see the occupation of the Founding Fathers, many of whom were lawyers, farmers, and merchants.
The best part of this memorial is the beautiful view of the Washington Monument. Since it’s a little bit off from the main tourist area, it’s a nice respite.

With so many famous and popular memorials to visit in DC, 56 Signers of the Declaration of Independence Memorial is definitely a hidden gem!
FUN FACTS:
— Memorial for the original 56 signatures of the Declaration of Independence
— Located in the Constitution Gardens in the National Mall
— This memorial is a gift from American Revolution Bicentennial Administration
— It’s a small little island with a great view of the Washington Memorial
— Beautiful magnolia trees blooming on the island
Check out this memorial and enjoy the beautiful views!

The 56 Signers Memorial is definitely a smaller, overlooked memorial that doesn’t garner the same attention as some of the other more extravagant memorials. This memorial is 56 stone blocks, each with the signer’s actual signature, occupation, and hometown. The memorial was a gift from the American Revolution Bicentennial Administration which is noted with an engraving on the ground at the memorial.
Overall, a small, yet significant memorial worth walking by when in the area.

Another fabulous but overlooked Memorial in the National Mall area, this small island in Constitution Gardens remembers the 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence who risked their lives and their livelihoods to tell King George to take a hike starting with the famous line «We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence…»
A small half-​circle with the signatures of each of these brave men, aligned with the one of the thirteen states (colonies) that they represented.
To get here, look for the island in the middle of the lake, there’s a bridge.

Tremendously important and oddly overlooked memorial. This one is out on an island and tends to be covered with bird crap, which is really unbefitting its stature. However, the location makes it unique, and it should be included in any trip through the area, as the Declaration is what made the rest of the things you’re seeing possible.

Strongly agree with Ryan M.‘s review, and frankly surprised that not more people have encountered/​reviewed this lovely-​off the beaten path part of the National Mall. In fact, given that the Mall received 25 million visitors last year one must wonder if this spot is perhaps concealed by some kind of powerful illusion spell– only visible to those of the correct blood line, or in times of great need, or upon certain alignments of the moon or constellations? And what does the mysterious writing on these stones portend? I will need to gather a company of stout companions to uncover these mysteries! Please send me a message if you are steadfast of heart and quick of wit.

Beautiful hidden memorial on the little island in the little pond in the middle of the mall. If you’re like me, you’ve seen this from the road or sidewalk plenty of times, thought that that looks like a cute little island, but took it for granted and never walked over. Well it’s worth the trip, because it’s the home to a hidden undiscovered (by me) memorial to the signers of the Declaration of Independence.
According to the NPS’ brochure: «In 1978, Public Law 95 – 260 allowed for the creation of a memorial to the 56 Signers of the Declaration of Independence within the park known as Constitution Gardens on the National Mall. This memorial was a gift from the American Revolution Bicentennial Administration, who realized the lack of any commemoration within the nation’s capital of the Declaration’s signers. Dedicated on July 2, 1984, the 56 stones, each with the signer’s signature, occupation, and hometown, expresses the strength and dignity of the men who risked all for liberty. Senator John Warner, at the dedication of the memorial, said, „We sometimes forget the magnitude of their action, the courage and moral strength needed to take that first great step.“ Tucked away between Constitution Avenue and the Reflecting Pool, near the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and within view of the Washington Monument, this simple memorial honors men who made a decision that was anything but simple.»
And that actually sums it up pretty well. The memorial is understated, it shows each signer as a separate individual stone which when all stacked next to each other provides for something remarkable. Plus (under a separate entry) you’re in the middle of Constitution Gardens Pond, a surprisingly tranquil respite from the National Mall (and National Mall Traffic). It’s amazing how watching the ducks and geese relax alongside you under the weeping willows seems to make the rest of the city fade away. Not a bad stop for families with children either, as we saw several who came prepared with bread and gave said birds a buffet.
Next time you’re carousing the mall, don’t just make this a sideways glance, make sure it’s part of your itinerary.