John Ericsson Memorial Monument
Bronze monument in Washington honoring naval engineer Ericsson
Bronze memorial in Washington, D.C., honoring engineer John Ericsson, designer of the USS Monitor; visited by those interested in naval history and public monuments.
John Ericsson Memorial at a Glance#
Address: Ohio Drive SW & Independence Ave SW, West Potomac Park, Washington, DC 20024, United States
Website: https://www.nps.gov/
Hours: Open 24 hours
Admission: Free (outdoor public memorial)
About John Ericsson Memorial#
The John Ericsson Memorial is a public monument in Washington, D.C., honoring the Swedish-American inventor John Ericsson, who is known for innovating marine propulsion and for his role in the design of the ironclad warship USS Monitor. The memorial commemorates his contributions to engineering and naval design.
The work consists of sculptural elements set on a landscaped base and serves as a focal point for remembrance of Ericsson’s engineering achievements. It is visited for its sculptural interest and its place among the capital’s collection of memorials.
The memorial was erected by civic and philanthropic groups as a dedicated commemoration to Ericsson’s life and work and has been maintained as part of the city’s public memorial landscape. It functions as an outdoor monument rather than an enclosed museum space.
The memorial is located in West Potomac Park near the Tidal Basin, within the broader National Mall area of Washington, D.C., and is close to major monuments and memorials in the western Mall precinct.
- Central Memorial location: Sits within West Potomac Park near the Tidal Basin and is close to the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington Memorial Bridge, making it easy to visit on a National Mall circuit.
How to Get to John Ericsson Memorial#
Located in West Potomac Park near Ohio Drive SW and Independence Avenue, the memorial is a short walk from the Tidal Basin and accessible from the Smithsonian Metro stations (L’Enfant Plaza, Federal Triangle) by a 15-25 minute walk or short taxi ride.
Tips for Visiting John Ericsson Memorial#
- Visit at dusk or early morning when the National Mall and its trees frame the memorial with long shadows.
- Pair a stop here with a walk along the Tidal Basin or a visit to nearby memorials-the Ericsson figure sits in a quiet pocket of West Potomac Park.
Best Time to Visit John Ericsson Memorial#
Accessible year-round; shoulder seasons offer pleasant walking conditions.
Weather & Climate near John Ericsson Memorial#
John Ericsson Memorial's climate is classified as Humid Subtropical - Humid Subtropical climate with hot summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -4°C to 32°C. Abundant rainfall (1031 mm/year), wettest in May, distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | - | -4° - 6° | -2° | 78 mm | - | - | 3.5 m/s | - | - |
| February | - | -2° - 9° | 0° | 68 mm | - | - | 3.6 m/s | - | - |
| March | - | 2° - 14° | 5° | 90 mm | - | - | 4.0 m/s | - | - |
| April | - | 7° - 20° | 13° | 77 mm | - | - | 3.8 m/s | - | - |
| May | - | 12° - 25° | 19° | 102 mm | - | - | 3.2 m/s | - | - |
| June | - | 17° - 30° | 23° | 86 mm | - | - | 3.0 m/s | - | - |
| July | - | 20° - 32° | 26° | 99 mm | - | - | 2.7 m/s | - | - |
| August | - | 19° - 31° | 25° | 95 mm | - | - | 2.6 m/s | - | - |
| September | - | 15° - 27° | 21° | 93 mm | - | - | 2.8 m/s | - | - |
| October | - | 8° - 21° | 15° | 81 mm | - | - | 2.9 m/s | - | - |
| November | - | 3° - 15° | 7° | 82 mm | - | - | 3.2 m/s | - | - |
| December | - | -1° - 9° | 1° | 80 mm | - | - | 3.3 m/s | - | - |
