Capitol Grounds Planning Commission

CAPITOL GROUNDS PLANNING COMMISSION
SUBJECT: MONUMENT PLAN – UPDATE TO MASTER PLAN
DATE: November 1987
Appendix “B”

MONUMNETS:
Statues, fountains, and similar landscape features can be important both as decoration and in memorializing important patriotic, cultural, or historic personages or events. Appropriately designed and located, such features can add significantly to the dignity and beauty of the Capitol Grounds. The following review of the functions that they can perform and the sites on the Capitol Grounds to which they are best suited, is intended to serve as a guide to the possible future location of such features.

Statues are typically used to commemorate ideas, people, or places of historic or cultural significance. While serving this function they can also be used to provide a terminus or focal point for a view; help organize and give interest and scale to an open space; and even help to define an area. For example, the statue at the south end of the Mall gives foreground interest and a sense of scale and establishes and accentuates the axial line of the Mall.

Locations for additional statuary should be limited to those sites capable of producing desirable aesthetic effects. Excessive use or poor location of sculpture could detract rather than contribute to the environment of the Capitol Grounds.

MONUMENT EVALUATION CRITERIA:
The subject matter or content of a monument is often as important in achieving the appropriate aesthetic objectives as the size, orientation, and setting. In establishing criteria to guide selection and evaluation of appropriate monuments for the Capitol Grounds, a classification of potential monuments and memorials, according to subject matter, is desirable. The following classification will guide selection of monuments to be located on the Capitol Grounds:

A. State and Nationally Recognized: This would include persons who have served with distinction in an official capacity of the State and National level.
B. Chief Executives, Justices (State Level): This category would include the Governor, Lt. Governor, and Justices of the Supreme Court.
C. Legislators and State Officials.
D. Important Historic Figures, Symbolic of Personages or Events: Typical of this group would be the Pioneer Family group and the statue of Sakakawea.
E. Selected Placements: These are essentially neutral and nonpolitical in content and subject matter deemed suitable for placement on the Capitol Grounds.

MONUMNET LOCATUION PLAN:
This plan is intended to indicate locations on the Capitol Grounds that are, or will become, suitable for monuments or memorials; and to establish criteria with which to evaluate the appropriateness of monuments considered for these locations.

All of the locations suggested for monuments are considered suitable, and with proper monument selection will contribute to the overall appearance of the Capitol Grounds. However, this Monument Plan should not be construed as recommending that a monument or sculptural feature be placed at all locations suggested by the Plan. Those specific locations, for which monuments might be “sought after,” as opposed to those only to be considered when a monument is suggested, are noted in the discussion of monument location areas.

The final selection and determination of appropriate sculptural features and the most desirable locations requires sensitive site design and careful attention to subject matter. Such factors as height, mass, orientation, character, and setting should all be part of such considerations.

INFORMATION PERMITTED ON MONUMENT PLAQUES:
1. Name of Monument
2. Inscription
3. Presenter
4. Dedication Date
5. Artist