Jennifer Epstein Interview at Lincoln Memorial

  On May 1st, 2018, we will interview Jennifer Epstein from the Lincoln Memorial discussing the Civil War issues, such as how the Union utilized the National Mall during the perilous war and about the construction of the Washington Monument. We also plan to converse over the conditions of our nation's capital during this time period and several other aspects of the Civil War.

Washington Monument

National Mall

May 1st : The Meeting with Mrs.Epstein

  Once we started of our interview, Mrs. Epstein informed us of how Lincoln Memorial and how it came to be. As Mrs. Epstein gave us background information of this memorial, she toured the place and gave us details. Lincoln Memorial was originally an empty lot, but after his death this memorial was built to commemorate this memorable leader. Many features at the Lincoln Memorial were built to capture bits of history, such as the American Flag placed on Lincoln's shoulders, and the thirty six pillars in honor of the thirty six Union states. 

   Our interviewers soon after began to inquire Mrs. Epstein about the Civil War and President Lincoln.  Since the area served as a base for Union soldiers, the area was constantly under attack.  Living in the area also proved to be difficult with harsh conditions.  For example, there was no air conditioning and animals freely roamed the area.  Not to mention, soldiers used slaughterhouses, which didn't help especially with the sweltering summer heat.  Also, what is now Constitution Avenue, there was a canal which people utilized as a trash disposal.  The waters became contaminated and caused many illnesses.  In fact, Lincoln may have contracted an illness from this canal.  

  Mrs. Epstein explained the outcome if Maryland seceded from the Union.  The Union depended upon Maryland to make the war as frictionless as possible for them.  Washington D.C. was often invaded, so Fort Stevens served as protection for the area.  Maryland also helped Washington D.C. since it was a border state that was very helpful and accessible.  

  We also learned about the construction of the Washington Monument from a behind-the-scenes perspective.  The tower, built in 1848, cost nearly one million dollars.  However, there wasn't enough money to fund to project so the construction eventually stopped.  Then, Mrs. Epstein displayed some of the other monuments.

  Mrs. Epstein showed us the components of the Lincoln Memorial, which was built in the late 1800s after Lincoln's tragic assassination.  There was heavy debate over what to use that patch of land for; some people opposed building a memorial to Lincoln near a swamp while others wanted to honor him along in the National Mall.  One thing she showed us was the Reflecting Pool, which reflects upon the past, which was built in the 1920s.  

  Many aspects of the Lincoln Memorial symbolize unity.  For example, the cloth over Lincoln's shoulders resembles the American flag, which represents all the states uniting into one powerful nation such as the United States of America.  Also, there's an angel conjoining the Union and the Confederacy as one superpower rather than leaving them as two separate territories.  

   The Lincoln Memorial was originally created to commemorate Unity, but at the dedication the crowd was segregated. Due to this the Lincoln Memorial never truly lived up to it's potential and meaning, until 1939, when an African American singer tried to perform here, but was denied due to her race. First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt was appalled once she realized this, and specially reserved the steps for her performance. This portrayed unity through the diversity of the audience who came to watch her sing about the magnitude of this time period.  

  Overall, we learned more about the National Mall and how the country united to become a strong, united front and the powerful origins of some parts of the Civil War.  We learned about various aspects of this location and who and what it represented.