The 169 m marble obelisk honoring George Washington rose in two campaigns (1848–56; 1879–84), evident in its stone color change. Lightning and earthquake repairs modernized the tallest masonry structure of its day. Elevators and exhibits interpret a national symbol reshaped by repair and resilience.
The Washington National Monument Society began fundraising in the 1830s; cornerstone laid 1848. Work halted in 1856 amid funding and political turmoil. The U.S. Army Corps restarted under Thomas Lincoln Casey in 1879, completing the apex in 1884; dedication followed in 1885 and public opening in 1888.
The obelisk’s unreinforced masonry walls thicken toward the base, tapering to an aluminum apex. An internal iron then steel stair/elevator system manages access; modern lift upgrades improved reliability.
Lightning protection, crack stitching, and extensive post-2011 earthquake repairs addressed marble displacement and joints, with reopening in 2019 after elevator modernization. Security and queuing now manage heavy visitation on the Mall.
