Name/Title
Panoramic photograph of dedication of McKinley Memorial 1917Entry/Object ID
1995.1.14Description
This 15" by 40" (38.1 by 101.6 cm) panoramic photograph depicts the October 5, 1917 dedication of the National McKinley Birthplace Memorial. This image was taken from Main Street and includes the crowd and the front facade of the building. Visitors began arriving days in advance, filling downtown streets and overnight accommodations. After the parade marking the beginning of the festivities, thousands of people converged on the memorial grounds, where seating had been arranged, while others watched from the roofs and windows of nearby buildings.
Notable Ohioans among the guests included former president William Howard Taft, who delivered the keynote speech. Another address, "McKinley the President," was delivered by George B. Cortelyou, who had served as a private secretary to President McKinley. One of the emotional highlights of the day was when Miss Helen McKinley of Canton, unveiled the courtyard sculpture of her brother. As with the cornerstone laying ceremonies two years earlier, President Woodrow Wilson was unable to attend due to the United States' involvement in World War I.
Construction of the National McKinley Birthplace Memorial building was completed in 1917. The memorial was conceived by Joseph G. Butler Jr. and financed by contributions from around the world. Built of white Georgian marble, the structure consists of two wings joined by an open-air Italianate court of honor, at the center of which stands a thirteen-foot-tall marble sculpture of President William McKinley. In addition, the front facade and perimeter are supported by 28 Doric columns. One wing of the structure houses a museum and auditorium; the McKinley Memorial Library occupies the other half of the building.Collection
McKinleyAcquisition
Accession
1995.1Source or Donor
General Museum CollectionAcquisition Method
Gift