Washington Monument

Washington Monument

The Washington Monument is a towering **obelisk** located on the **National Mall** in **Washington, D.C.**, built to honor **George Washington**, the first President of the United States and Commander of the Continental Army during the American Revolution.

History

• Designed by architect **Robert Mills** in the 1840s
• Construction began in **1848**, halted due to funding issues and the Civil War, and resumed in the 1870s
• Completed on **December 6, 1884**, and officially dedicated in **1885**
• Opened to the public in **1888**

Design and Dimensions

• A 555-foot (169 m) tall white marble obelisk — the tallest stone structure and tallest obelisk in the world
• Constructed with marble, granite, and bluestone gneiss
• The slight color change halfway up reflects the gap in construction years

Interior and Observation Deck

• Contains an elevator and a staircase with 897 steps (usually closed to the public)
• Visitors can access an observation deck at the top for panoramic views of D.C., including:

 - Lincoln Memorial
 - Capitol Building
 - White House

• Inside walls contain over 190 commemorative stones donated by states and civic groups

Symbolism

• Represents the nation's respect for George Washington's leadership and integrity
• Its placement and height symbolize the central role of the presidency and Washington’s foundational legacy

Restoration and Preservation

• Damaged in the 2011 Virginia earthquake and closed for repairs until 2014
• Underwent further renovations for elevator modernization and reopened in 2019

Fun Facts

• The aluminum capstone at the top was a technological marvel at the time
• No building in Washington, D.C. is allowed to be taller than the monument
• The monument aligns with the Capitol, White House, and Lincoln Memorial in a straight line

See Also

• George Washington
• Lincoln Memorial
• National Mall
• United States Capitol
• Presidents of the United States