After 21 years, the Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial is finally opening just off the National Mall. A dedication ceremony will be held at the site September 17.
The $150 million memorial began construction in 2017 after years-long disputes over its design between the architect Frank Gehry and the Eisenhower family. While the memorial was supposed to open in May to coincide with the anniversary of V-E Day, it was postponed due to the pandemic.
The four-acre plot showcases sculptures of Eisenhower addressing the troops before the Normandy invasion, in the Oval Office, and as a young boy. A steel tapestry runs behind the memorial with a scene representing the Normandy coast.
The dedication ceremony will be held September 17 at 7 PM. While in-person attendance is by invitation only, the event will be livestreamed via Facebook.
Mimi Montgomery joined Washingtonian in 2018. She’s written for The Washington Post, Garden & Gun, Outside Magazine, Washington City Paper, DCist, and PoPVille. Originally from North Carolina, she now lives in Del Ray.
