Located just outside the state capitol building in Olympia, Washington, the Winged Victory Monument commemorates the sacrifices made by the citizens of Washington in World War I and has become an important icon of the modern community. The connection of the past to the present in a space that would otherwise be just another traffic hub highlights the transformative power of such landmarks.
Dedicated to the Memory of World War I Veterans
First conceived of in 1919 and completed in 1938 by Alonzo Victor Lewis, Winged Victory is dedicated to the 60,617 Washington men who served in World War and the 1,642 were killed or died of disease. It features a 12-foot-tall winged female figure that represents the Greek God of victory, Nike, or the Winged Victory of Samothrace. She stands over figures of a soldier, a sailor, a marine, and a Red Cross nurse.
Each of the four sides of the statue’s 10-foot tall granite base is inscribed. The east side calls out the sacrifices made in the World War of 1917-1918, while the north side contains a Bible verse. The west and south sides feature phrases that connect to the sacrifice of World War I veterans.
Traditionally the focus of memorial services for veterans of all wartime conflicts, Winged Victory has been part of the community for decades, changing and evolving with the space and community to become a central part of it while also enabling the installation of other landmarks and attractions that cultivate further connection.
Equal Parts Memorial and Icon
Mentioned as one of the most notable structures on the campus of Washington State Capitol and in all of Olympia, Winged Victory has become an icon recognized across the area and city. In doing so, it highlights what it can mean for a monument to be equal parts memorial and icon, enabling connection between audiences and eras in spaces that are otherwise empty to transform them for the better.
