Commems Collection Classic: 1903 Thomas Jefferson Memorial, Part I, Organization & Fundraising

Thomas Jefferson, circa 1800

(Image Credit: Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division. Public Domain.)

The Thomas Jefferson Memorial Association ("Association") was organized in the Fall of 1902 with the object to "erect at the national capital a suitable memorial to.the author of tho Declaration of Independence." Admiral George Dewey, a very popular figure at the time, was installed as the Association's President. To help ensure national interest and attention, Dewey named a Vice President from each of the States in the Union. By February 1903, he named them for 42 States, with those from Kentucky, Missouri and Montana TBD. (Recall that Alaska, Arizona, Hawaii, New Mexico and Oklahoma had not yet become States by 1903.) VPs from New Mexico Territory, Puerto Rico and Washington DC were also appointed.

Admiral George Dewey

(Image Credit: Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division. Public Domain.)

The Association, headquartered in Washington, DC, launched its first national fundraising effort in February 1903 via a national appeal sent out by Admiral Dewey:

"To the American people: The Thomas Jefferson Memorial Association has been organized to take up the duty of erecting a fitting memorial to the memory of the man who wrote the Declaration of Independence.

"We have here beautiful and costly tributes to the memory of American soldiers, sailors, statesmen, physicians, inventors and philanthropists, and the soldiers and sailors of France are honored; but there is not one tablet to the memory of that great American, Thomas Jefferson.

"We ask the people to contribute according to their ability to this memorial. Congress will not be asked for money, as we rely solely upon the people, the young and the old, the children and their parents for the success of the movement.

"The character and cost of the proposed memorial cannot now be stated, but it will be appropriate to the greatness of the man and the importance of the document from which his name Is inseparable. Rigid economy will be observed in the expenses of carrying on the work.

"Every contributor will receive a certificate, acknowledging his subscription, and carrying with it membership in the Association. In time to come these certificates will be 'badges of honor.'

"Contributions, checks, money orders or drafts should be made payable to the order of the Treasurer of the Association, Mr. Jesse B. Wilson, president of the Lincoln National Bank. The people will be kept Informed of all Important actions of the Association. Communications addressed to the Secretary, W. S. McKean, will receive prompt and respectful attention.

George Dewey,
Admiral of the Navy, President"

As noted, Association membership certificates were presented to donors who answered the appeal. It appears that, based on the size of the donation, different membership levels were awarded, up to and including "Life Membership."

To supplement its ongoing fundraising efforts, in 1902, the Association decided to request a commemorative/souvenir medal from the US Congress and worked with Senator John Warwick Daniel (D-VA),.and Representatives, by Asbury Churchwell Latimer (D-SC) to get bills introduced. (See Part II of this story for the details.)

In addition to the donations appeal by Dewey, the medals, and the multiple fundraising dinners/banquets it hosted, the Association also gained access to Jefferson's manuscripts via a collaboration with the University of Virginia - the Association published the extensive manuscripts in a 20-volume collection beginning in 1904. The collection is titled The Writings of Thomas Jefferson. Complete sets today often sell in excess of $1,000.

By 1905, the Association had decided upon a Memorial Building vs. a simple, open-air statue, and had preliminary thoughts of creating an exact reproduction of the ancient Parthenon in Athens, Greece as the Memorial.

Parthenon Ruins - Athens, Greece

(Image Credit: Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division. Public Domain.)

Congress had allocated a space in Lafayette Square in Washington, DC for the planned Memorial; the site would have been across from the White House (to the north).

But all did not go as planned...


To learn more about the Association's medals and ultimate fortunes, see Part II / A Medal's Journey in Congress


For other of my posts about commemorative coins and medals, see: Commems Collection.