Constitution Gardens (U.S. National Park Service)

Quicklinks:

Introduction

Dedicated in 1976, Constitution Gardens serves as an oasis within the bustling city for visitors, residents and wildlife. A memorial island in the middle of an artificial lake has stones bearing the names and signatures of the fifty-six men who signed the Declaration of Independence. Their pledge to freedom exists as a living tribute within this natural setting celebrating the U.S. Constitution.

The Declaration of Independence

On July 2, 1984, the 208th anniversary of the act of declaring independence, the Memorial to the 56 Signers of the Declaration of Independence was dedicated on the small island in the lake. Click here to read more about the event and the document that started America's journey toward independence.

		The Dissenter: George Mason Why did Virginia delegate George Mason lead the fight to craft a new federal Constitution only to refuse to sign the final document? Moreover, why did Mason lead the fight in Virginia against ratification of the Constitution? His principled stance against the document shattered his long friendship with fellow Virginian and President of the Constitutional Convention, George Washington. Learn more about this forgotten founder by visiting the George Mason Memorial on the National Mall.

Write to

National Mall and Memorial Parks
900 Ohio Drive SW
Washington, DC 20024

Phone

Visitor Information
(202) 426-6841

Park Headquarters
(202) 485-9880

Climate

Washington has a temperate climate typical of the Mid-Atlantic U.S., with four distinct seasons. Summer tends to be very hot and humid. Spring and fall are mild. Winter can bring cold temperatures, frozen precipitation and, on occasions, major snowstorms.