McKinley National Memorial

McKinley National Memorial, located in Canton, Ohio, is a United States National Memorial dedicated to the 25th President of the United States, William McKinley. The memorial was designed by Harold Van Buren Magonigle and built between 1905 and 1907, with the involvement of the McKinley National Memorial Association and the United States Congress. It is the final resting place of William McKinley and his wife, Ida Saxton McKinley, as well as their two daughters, Katherine McKinley and Ida McKinley. The memorial is managed by the National Park Service and is a part of the National Register of Historic Places.

● History

The construction of the memorial began in 1905, after William McKinley's assassination in 1901, during the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo, New York. The McKinley National Memorial Association was established to oversee the construction of the memorial, with the support of Theodore Roosevelt, who was a close friend of William McKinley. The association worked closely with the United States Congress to secure funding for the project, which was also supported by Mark Hanna, a prominent Republican Party (United States) leader and close friend of William McKinley. The memorial was built on a site overlooking the City of Canton, with a design inspired by the Pantheon in Rome, Italy, and the Tomb of Napoleon at the Hôtel des Invalides in Paris, France.

● Architecture

The memorial is a neoclassical structure, designed by Harold Van Buren Magonigle, with a large dome and a series of ionic columns. The building is made of white marble and features a large bronze door, designed by Charles Keck, which leads to the interior of the memorial. The interior features a large rotunda, with a dome and a series of stained glass windows, designed by John La Farge and Louis Comfort Tiffany. The memorial also features a series of sculptures, including a bronze statue of William McKinley, designed by Charles Henry Niehaus, and a series of reliefs, depicting scenes from William McKinley's life, designed by Isidore Konti.

● Significance

The memorial is significant not only as the final resting place of William McKinley and his family but also as a symbol of the United States' commitment to preserving the memory of its leaders. The memorial is also an important example of Neoclassical architecture in the United States, and its design has been influenced by the works of ancient Greek and Roman architects, such as Ictinus and Callicrates, who designed the Parthenon in Athens, Greece. The memorial has been visited by many prominent figures, including Theodore Roosevelt, William Howard Taft, and Warren G. Harding, and has been the site of many important events, including the McKinley National Memorial Dedication, which was attended by Calvin Coolidge and Herbert Hoover.

● Visitors_and_Exhibits

The memorial attracts thousands of visitors each year, including school groups, tourists, and history buffs. The memorial offers a range of exhibits and programs, including guided tours, educational programs, and special events, such as the McKinley National Memorial Annual Commemoration, which is held on September 14 to commemorate the anniversary of William McKinley's death. The memorial also features a series of museum exhibits, which showcase the life and legacy of William McKinley, including his role in the Spanish-American War and his support for the Gold Standard Act of 1900. The exhibits also feature artifacts from William McKinley's life, including his inaugural address and his personal correspondence with Theodore Roosevelt and Mark Hanna.

● Preservation_Efforts

The memorial is managed by the National Park Service, which is responsible for preserving the memorial and its grounds. The National Park Service works closely with the McKinley National Memorial Association and other organizations to ensure the long-term preservation of the memorial, including the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works. The memorial has undergone several restoration projects over the years, including a major restoration project in the 1990s, which was funded by the United States Congress and the State of Ohio. The memorial is also protected by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, which recognizes its significance as a historic landmark in the United States. The memorial is also a part of the National Park System, which includes other historic sites, such as the Gettysburg National Military Park and the Lincoln Memorial.