The Washington Monument Honoring America’s First President

The Washington Monument is one of the most recognizable structures in the nation’s capital, dominating picture post card views of the Mall and reminding visitors of the lasting impact that president George Washington has had on every president who followed him. The Monument was started in 1848 to honor the nation’s first president, but a lack of funding halted construction in 1858. During America’s centennial celebration in 1876, building resumed and the obelisk was completed in 1884, with an official dedication four years later. Different colored masonry indicates where construction stopped in 1858 and restarted nearly 20 years later.
As the largest free standing stone structure in the United States, the Washington Monument is truly an engineering marvel. There is no mortar holding the stones together; the walls are 15 feet thick at its base and 18 inches at the top. Tourists can take an elevator to the top of the Washington Monument and get a spectacular view of the White House, Jefferson Memorial, Lincoln Memorial and the rest of the Mall. On the elevator ride down, visitors can see the commemorative stones placed inside the Washington Monument from individuals, organizations, states, and nations during the various stages of construction. Tickets are free but the same day tickets at the Washington Monument Lodge on 15th Street are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis and run out quickly. It is better (and not that expensive) to reserve tickets through the National Park Service at http://www.recreation.gov/.