Commemoration

NCPC advocates the design and placement of federal commemorative works—which may be statues, gardens, museums, or memorials of other forms—in a manner that enhances the capital of our nation.

Memorial Trends and Practice

In November 2012, NCPC released Memorial Trends and Practice in Washington, DC, a report based on research completed as part of the Washington as Commemoration Study.

Prepared in consultation with the National Park Service and the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts, the report provides context about the current commemorative planning process, highlights recent research on memorial planning and construction, and identifies several opportunities for participating agencies to improve and clarify the existing memorial process.

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Appendix A: Technical Amendment to the Commemorative Works Catalog

Appendix B: Washington as Commemoration Study Commemorative Works Catalog

Appendix D: Selected Addresses and Websites

Appendix E: Status of Pending Commemorative Works and Related Projects

Interactive Map

NCPC has developed an interactive online map of the memorials cataloged in the Washington as Commemoration Study. The map allows memorials to be browsed by theme, and provides a short description and history of each commemorative work.

Capital City Case Studies

As part of the the Washington as Commemoration study, NCPC and the National Park Service researched practices for establishing commemoration in cities around the world. While the research is not scientific, it is intended to place Washington’s practice for establishing commemoration on federal lands within a comparative context. 

A short summary document, “Key Findings,” is posted below, followed by detailed case studies. Each summarizes the policies and processes involved with commemoration in each city.

This information was included in the appendix of the Memorial Trends and Practice report published in November 2012.

Appendix C: Key Findings from Capital Cities Case Studies

Appendix F: Full Case Study Reports

• Ottawa, Canada
• Canberra, Australia
• Berlin, Germany
• Boston, Massachusetts
• St. Paul, Minnesota
• Salt Lake City, Utah
• London, England

Finding New Sites

The study of commemorative themes builds upon NCPC's Memorials and Museums Master Plan. This project identifies new sites throughout the capital and presents approaches to make them more suitable for commemorative works.

This work helps ensure that future generations will appreciate our history and have prime locations for new museums and memorials.