Tomb of the Unknown Soldier Centennial Commemoration Lecture Series

 

Prelude to the Tomb: The History of the Arlington Memorial Amphitheater

Written and presented by Benjamin D. Brands, Historian, American Battle Monuments Commission


In this episode, American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) Historian Benjamin D. Brands discusses the conception, design, and construction of the Arlington Memorial Amphitheater, as well as the subsequent addition of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in the context of America's efforts to memorialize and honor its war dead.

Listen Here:  Prelude to the Tomb: The Arlington Memorial Amphitheater

Benjamin D. Brands is a historian with the American Battle Monuments Commission and a Ph.D. candidate in history at George Mason University. He previously served as an infantry officer in the United States Army, and he has taught military history at the United States Military Academy at West Point and Oregon State University.


Arlington Memorial Amphitheater Centennial Webpage: explore the virtual exhibit, listen to the lecture Ben Brands recorded for the centennial, and read the Historic American Buildings Survey report on Memorial Amphitheater’s history and significance.

Memorial Amphitheater’s 100 Years of History: A Firsthand Look: read about the memorabilia box removed from Memorial Amphitheater during its centennial commemoration in 2020.

Charles Young: From Enslavement to a Memorial Amphitheater Funeral: this blog article explore the life of Brigadier General Charles Young, the first African American Colonel in the U.S. Army who became the fourth person honored with a funeral inside Memorial Amphitheater in 1923. The U.S. Army posthumously promoted him to Brigadier General in April 2022.

A Century of Honor: A Commemorative Guide to the Tomb of the Unknown Solider


Artist’s depiction, eastern approaches to the Arlington Memorial Amphitheater, ca. 1914. Under this original concept, the Amphitheater’s eastern side would have included a staircase and a statue. National Archives.


Completed reception hall and arcade colonnade of Memorial Amphitheater under construction, February 1917. The cases that can be seen in the foreground are marble waiting to be installed. (ANC Historical Research Collection)


Aerial view of the Arlington Memorial Amphitheater with the original Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, ca. 1921-1930. (National Archives)


This blueprint from December 1930 shows architect Lorimer Rich’s design for the monumental staircase and approach to the Arlington Memorial Amphitheater, designed to accommodate the permanent Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. (National Archives)