The glory of Constitution Gardens grows over time
Geographically, Constitution Gardens is the equivalent of North Carolina’s Research Triangle Park, except instead of cities, the Gardens are enclosed by three national sites: the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Constitution Avenue, and Reflecting Pool. This location, along with the Gardens’s own beautiful scenery, has made the site a popular tourist attraction since its dedication in 1976. The Gardens are also the site of a yearly National Park Service naturalization ceremony, where immigrants to the country are welcomed into their new home.The Gardens’ focal point is its memorial island, where the names of the fifty-six men who signed the Declaration of Independence live on in stony solitudeliterally. The names and their signatures are engraved on stone monuments which honor the foundations of our country and government.The history of the site actually goes back to the turn of the 20th century, when the Army Corp of Engineers dredged a portion of the Potomac River. During the first World War, the site’s Main Navy and Munitions Buildings were built as temporary (but sturdy) barracks. President Richard Nixon was actually responsible for the demolition of the buildings in 1970, as well as the park which took its place.The 50 acres of the Gardens provide ample room for the travelling DC visitors to stretch out and enjoy themselves. Sit and let the waves of history wash over you, as the wide-open sky above echoes the expansive freedoms of the Constitution. The location also makes it the perfect starting, midway, or ending point for a day tour of the monuments, especially if you have a picnic meal to enjoy at the same time.