Welcome to the President Eisenhower Memorial!
As this is an Earthcache, there is no physical container. Answer the quesitons below to log this cache!
The Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum, and Boyhood Home in Abilene, Kansas, is a complex dedicated to the life and legacy of Dwight D. Eisenhower, the 34th President of the United States. It serves as both a historical site and a research center, preserving documents, artifacts, and exhibits related to his presidency, military career, and personal life.
Overview of the Eisenhower Complex
The site covers 22 acres and includes:
• Eisenhower’s Boyhood Home – A modest house where Eisenhower grew up from 1898 until he left for West Point in 1911. The home remains largely unchanged, reflecting his early life in small-town America.
• Presidential Library – A research institution housing official papers, photographs, and records related to Eisenhower’s presidency and military career.
• Museum – Showcases Eisenhower’s achievements, from his role as Supreme Commander of Allied Forces in World War II to his presidency (1953–1961). The museum features personal artifacts, interactive exhibits, and historical documents.
• Place of Meditation – This is the final resting place of Dwight D. Eisenhower, along with his wife, Mamie Eisenhower, and their firstborn son, Doud Dwight Eisenhower.
Geology of the Granite in the Eisenhower Memorial
Granite is an igneous rock known for its durability and strength, making it a popular choice for monuments and memorials. It is primarily composed of quartz, feldspar, and mica, giving it a speckled appearance with interlocking crystals. These minerals contribute to its resistance to scratches, weathering, and erosion, ensuring that structures built with granite can withstand environmental conditions for centuries.
Kansas experiences a continental climate, with hot summers, cold winters, and frequent temperature fluctuations. Granite is well-suited for this climate because it is resistant to freeze-thaw cycles, meaning it does not easily crack or chip when water enters its pores and freezes. Its density and mineral composition also protect it from wind and rain erosion, preserving the integrity of the memorial over time.
Common Types of Granite Used in Kansas Memorial
While granite can be sourced worldwide, many memorials in Kansas use domestic varieties that complement the region’s history and natural stone resources. Below are some common types found in memorials:
1. Cottonwood Gray Granite (Quarried in Kansas)
- This granite is known for its subtle gray color with fine grains, making it a popular choice for durable monuments.
2. Dakota Mahogany Granite (Quarried in South Dakota)
- A warm, reddish-brown granite with black and gray minerals, often chosen for its distinctive look and durability.
3. Sunset Red Granite (Quarried in Texas)
- This granite features a deep red hue with pink feldspar, creating a striking appearance in memorials.
4. Missouri Red Granite (Quarried in Missouri)
- A classic red granite with black and gray speckles, offering a vibrant yet timeless look.
5. Barre Gray Granite (Quarried in Vermont)
- Though not local, this fine-grained gray granite is frequently used in memorials across the U.S. for its even texture and longevity.
How to Identify the Type of Granite
Color and Minerals: Check for dominant colors (e.g., pink for alkali feldspar granite) and identify visible minerals. Quartz often appears as clear or gray crystals, feldspar as pink or white, and mica as shiny black or brown.
Texture and Grain Size: Coarse textures with larger crystals are common in porphyritic granite, while finer grains suggest rapid cooling.
Patterns: Look for specks or bands, as in biotite or hornblende granite, where darker minerals create distinct patterns.
Density and Hardness: Granite is dense and hard; you can test this by scratching or feeling.
Common Types of Erosion on Granite
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Mechanical Weathering:
- Frost Wedging: Water enters small cracks, freezes, and expands, causing the granite to break apart.
- Abrasion: Physical scraping by wind, water, or other rocks.
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Chemical Weathering:
- Oxidation: Minerals within the granite, like feldspar, react with oxygen, leading to discoloration and weakening.
- Hydrolysis: Reaction of minerals with water, transforming feldspar into clay and causing surface deterioration.
- Acid Rain: Sulfuric and nitric acids in rainwater react with the granite’s minerals, accelerating decay.
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Biological Weathering:
- Plant Growth: Roots penetrate cracks, exerting pressure and expanding fissures.
- Lichen and Moss: Organic acids from lichen and moss slowly degrade the rock surface.
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Thermal Expansion:
- Repeated heating and cooling cycles cause the granite to expand and contract, leading to cracks and surface flaking.
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Water and Wind Erosion:
- Flowing water smooths surfaces, while wind carries abrasive particles that polish or pit the rock.
LOGGING REQUIREMENTS
Please complete the tasks and questions below, and send me your answers. If logging for a group, please include the names of everyone in your group.
1) Granite Observation: Describe the texture and color of the granite. Based on these characteristics and the description, what type of granite do you think is used here?
2) Weathering Patterns: Look for any signs of weathering on the granite. Are there differences in color or texture, what type of erosion are these from?
3) Take a photo of yourself (or personal item) with the memorial, or anything interesting in the cemetery across the street. You can attach it to your found it log (optional).
This EarthCache allows visitors to explore both the historical significance of the Eisenhower Memorial and the geological properties that make granite an enduring choice for monuments. By analyzing the stone’s composition, weathering patterns, and durability, participants will gain a greater appreciation for the role of geology in preserving historical sites.