Comments on the Triumphal Arch at Memorial Circle

Preserve Rhode Island

6 hours ago

2 min read

September 28, 2026

Jaime Loichinger

Director of the Office of Federal Agency Programs

Advisory Council on Historic Preservation

Re: Comments on the Triumphal Arch at Memorial Circle

Dear Ms. Loichinger,

Preserve Rhode Island (Preserve RI) serves as the statewide advocate for historic preservation for the state of Rhode Island. When advocacy is needed beyond the borders of our state that affect Rhode Islanders, we feel that it is our duty to respond. Regarding the proposed Triumphal Arch at Memorial Circle, we write to state emphatically that we profoundly disagree with terminating consultation during the development of a Section 106 agreement. Findings have shown that this arch will create adverse effects on historic properties. We disagree that these adverse effects will be beneficial to the American public, regardless of the suggested impact the triumphal Arch presents to honor our 250 years of American independence.

During the National Parks Service (NPS) Section 106 Review, as highlighted by the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP), the Triumphal Arch would have an adverse effect on 42 historic properties. Specifically, 6 National Historic Landmarks, 8 historic districts, 8 cultural landscapes, and 20 individual or other historic properties would be impacted due to alterations in their integrity of setting, design, feeling, association, and in some instances location by introducing visual, spatial, and physical changes that affect character-defining views and designated landscape relationships. This viewshed stretches from Arlington National Cemetery, across the Memorial Avenue Corridor to the Lincoln Memorial and then along the length of the National Mall to the United State Capitol, spanning about 3.5 miles.

Public comment, an essential component of Section 106 Review, yielded significant concerns during the NPS public commentary period. Over 100,000 letters included input related to the way the arch impacts Arlington National Cemetery, or that it would interfere with the intentional historic sightline of the heart of Washington D.C. A decision appears to be in the works that does not honor the results of the truncated Section 106 Review.

The review of projects by experts in historic preservation that includes and integrates public opinion in a transparent process is the law as set out in Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act as it stands. Preserve RI is concerned that the construction of the Memorial Arch will set a precedent to ignore or minimize Section 106 when politically convenient.

Preserve Rhode Island implores the ACHP to recognize the nation’s concerns with the arch in their formal comments to the Secretary of the Interior.

Respectfully,