Online Exhibit: Washington Monument

The Washington Monument is a marble obelisk at the center of the National Mall in Washington, D.C., built to honor George Washington, commander of the Continental Army and first President of the United States. Designed by Robert Mills, it was begun in 1848, but construction stopped for more than 20 years because of funding problems and the Civil War, which is why the color of the stone changes about a third of the way up. Completed in 1884 at just over 555 feet, it was briefly the tallest structure in the world. It was dedicated on February 21, 1885, the day before Washington's birthday. Its interior walls are set with commemorative stones from every state in the Union, and visitors once climbed an iron staircase to the pyramidion at the top, where eight windows look out over the Potomac and the city L'Enfant planned.

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