The bronze statue rests on a granite pedestal that features three sculptures, each one representing a time period in Garfield's life.

The monument, sculpted by John Quincy Adams Ward and cast by The Henry-Bonnard Co. of New York, with a pedestal designed by Richard Morris Hunt, is an outstanding example of Beaux-Arts architecture.

Some of the funds were raised by The Garfield Monument Fair, which was held in the Capitol's Rotunda and National Statuary Hall in 1882.

As a born again Christian, Garfield preached on occasion, receiving much needed money at certain churches on his circuit.

[3] After teaching for a few years, Garfield attended Williams College, graduating in 1856, and learned about the abolitionist philosophy while in Massachusetts.

Attempts were made to bring him back to good health, but three months after the shooting, he died on September 19, 1881.

[7] The SAC was able to raise almost $28,000, through donations and benefits, like the 1882 Garfield Monument Fair, which took place in the United States Capitol rotunda and National Statuary Hall.

Another fundraiser that year was by Congress, who sold condemned cannons from the Civil War to allocate $7,500 for the monument.

Ward has already sculpted the equestrian statue of George Henry Thomas for the SAC, so the two parties were on friendly terms.

Later that morning, members of the SAC met at the Arlington Hotel, followed by a march to the Grand Army of the Republica Hall.

Those seated in the grandstand included Secretary of State Thomas F. Bayard, U.S. Attorney General Augustus H. Garland, Chief Justice Morrison Waite and other justices of the Supreme Court, philanthropist William Wilson Corcoran, Judge Alexander Burton Hagner, Ward and Hunt, and several generals of the Civil War.

Sheridan then introduced the keynote speaker, Major General J. Warren Keifer, who talked about Garfield's life.

[9] In addition to the monument, there is a park named after him and a statue of Garfield in the National Statuary Hall Collection.

[13] The monument is sited on Reservation 202, Garfield Circle, at the intersection of First Street and Maryland Avenue NW in Union Square, Washington, D.C.

[9][10] The pedestal is a fine example of Beaux-Arts and Baroque art, with three elaborate bronze figures that Ward worked on more than the statue of Garfield.

The one representing his early career features a bare-foot student wearing a tunic made from sheep skin while holding paper with his left hand.

1887 The Henry-Bonnard Bronze Co. New York (On speech held in Garfield's proper left hand:) Law, Justice, Prosperity (On each base figure:) J.Q.A.

A. Garfield 1831–1881 (Base, top section, left side:) Major-General U-S-V, Member of Congress, Senator, and President of The United States of America (Base, top section, right side:) Erected by his Comrades of the Society of the Army of the Cumberland May 18, 1887