John Ericsson National Memorial

Overlooking the Potomac near the Lincoln Memorial, this monument honors John Ericsson, the Swedish-American engineer who designed the Union ironclad warship USS Monitor. A seated bronze figure of Ericsson rests before a tall granite shaft crowned by allegorical figures of Labor, Vision and Adventure gathered around the Norse tree of life. Dedicated in 1926 with the Swedish crown prince present, it reflects the era's interest in Scandinavian heritage. The riverside setting and cherry trees make it a scenic if lesser-known Tidal Basin stop.