George Washington Masonic National Memorial facts for kids
Quick facts for kids George Washington Masonic National Memorial |
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| General information | |
| Type | Museum, observation |
| Location | 101 Callahan Drive, Alexandria, Virginia |
| Coordinates | 38°48′27″N 77°03′58″W / 38.80748°N 77.06598°W |
| Construction started | June 5, 1922 |
| Completed | 1932 |
| Opening | May 12, 1932 |
| Cost | $6 million |
| Owner | George Washington Masonic National Memorial Association |
| Height | |
| Roof | 333 ft (101 m) |
| Technical details | |
| Floor count | 9 |
| Lifts/elevators | 2 |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | Harvey Wiley Corbett of Helmle & Corbett |
| Structural engineer | Osgood & Osgood, Grand Rapids, Michigan |
| Main contractor | Percy Cranford Co., Washington, D.C. |
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George Washington Masonic National Memorial
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 Location in Alexandria
Location in Northern Virginia
Location in Virginia
Location in the United States
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| NRHP reference No. | 15000622 |
| Designated NHL | July 21, 2015 |
The George Washington Masonic National Memorial is a huge building and memorial in Alexandria, Virginia. It's just outside Washington, D.C.. This special place honors George Washington, America's first president. He was also a member of a group called the Freemasons.
The memorial's tall tower looks like the ancient Lighthouse of Alexandria in Egypt. It stands 333-foot (101 m) tall on top of Shooter's Hill. Building started in 1922, and it was officially opened in 1932. The inside was finally finished in 1970. In 2015, it became a National Historic Landmark. This was because of its amazing architecture and because it's one of the biggest private memorials to George Washington.
You can get to the memorial easily by public transport. The King Street–Old Town Metro station is only about four blocks away.
Contents
Building a Memorial for George Washington
The idea for a Masonic memorial to George Washington began in 1852. A Masonic group in Fredericksburg, Virginia, first suggested it. They wanted to build a Masonic Temple with a large statue of Washington. They even raised enough money to order a bronze statue of Washington in his Masonic clothes. But the American Civil War started, and the statue was sadly destroyed in a fire in 1865.
Plans for a memorial started again in 1909. The chosen spot was Shooter's Hill. This hill was once considered for the United States Capitol building! Citizens of Alexandria formed a group to build a memorial there. They bought a large piece of land on Shooter's Hill. Most of the land was sold for houses, but 25 acres (10 ha) on top of the hill was saved for the memorial.
In 1909, a park was built on part of the land. It was called George Washington Memorial Park. Many important people, including President William Howard Taft, came to its dedication.
Why Build the Memorial?
Masons decided to build the memorial for a few reasons. The new park sparked their interest again. Also, they wanted a safe place for items that belonged to George Washington. These items, called "Washingtoniana," were owned by the local Masonic lodge. The lodge had suffered several fires, and some historic items were lost. A fireproof building would protect these important treasures.
In 1907, Charles H. Callahan, a local Mason, suggested building a memorial temple. In 1910, Masons from all over the United States met. They formed the George Washington Masonic National Memorial Association (GWMNMA). Their goal was to raise $1 million for the building and its upkeep.
Choosing the Perfect Spot
Everyone agreed the memorial should be in Alexandria. George Washington had strong ties to the city. The Masons bought 2-acre (0.81 ha) on Shooter's Hill in 1915. The deal said they had to build a memorial costing at least $100,000 within 10 years. If not, they would lose the land.
With the land secured, the Masons hired Harvey Wiley Corbett as the main architect in 1918. By 1922, the plans grew much bigger. The building would now cost $1.5 million, plus more for landscaping and maintenance. The total cost was expected to be $4 million.
Early Designs of the Memorial
Corbett's first design was for a 200 feet (61 m) tall building. It would have a three-story base and a three-story tower. The style was Neoclassical, with parts in Greek and Romanesque Revival styles. It was planned to be built mostly of stone, with very little metal. This was to make it as strong and lasting as possible.
The first floor was designed with a large hall for a Washington statue and murals. Meeting rooms for Masonic groups would be on the sides. A special room would even be a copy of Washington's original Masonic lodge room. The second floor would be an art gallery and museum.
In 1923, a big change happened: the building would be made entirely of granite. This raised the cost to $3 million. By April 1923, the memorial was planned to be 330 feet (100 m) tall. The tower would have an observation deck at the top.
Building the Memorial
Building such a large memorial needed a very strong foundation. Engineers found good soil deep underground. Groundbreaking happened on June 5, 1922, in the rain. A huge concrete pad was laid to support the building. The basement was as big as the first two floors combined. Mules helped carry away the excavated earth.
By 1923, the foundation was almost done, and the granite walls for the first floor were rising. The concrete foundation was reportedly the largest ever poured in one piece.
Laying the Cornerstone
The memorial's cornerstone was laid on November 1, 1923. Alexandria Mayor William Allen Smoot declared a holiday for the event. Thousands of Masons, important people, and military personnel marched in a parade. Four Army Air Corps planes flew overhead.
President Calvin Coolidge laid the cornerstone. He used the same trowel George Washington used in 1793 to lay the cornerstone of the U.S. Capitol building. Loudspeakers and a temporary radio station broadcast the event nationwide. Many items were placed inside the cornerstone, including an American flag, a Christian Bible, and books about Washington.
Construction Progress
Construction paused each winter to protect the stone from weather. By early 1924, the first floor was nearly complete. The association decided to place a marble statue of Washington in the memorial's main hall. A damaged granite column was even donated to a local veterans group. They used it to create a memorial to World War I veterans.
In 1925, work continued on the roof and tower. Large granite columns for the front entrance (portico) were put in place in 1926. A huge sculpture of Washington's head was also carved on-site. By August 1927, the concrete roof over the first three floors was finished. It was said to be the largest concrete roof in the world at the time.
By 1928, the Masons planned to dedicate the memorial in 1932. The Grand Lodge of Virginia agreed to pay for bronze doors. By 1930, the tower had risen to 190 feet (58 m). The tower was completed in 1931. A large aluminum keystone symbol and light, 19 feet (5.8 m) high, was placed at the very top.
Dedication Day
The George Washington Masonic National Memorial was dedicated on May 12, 1932. They had hoped to open it on Washington's 200th birthday in February, but it wasn't ready.
Many parts of the inside were still unfinished. For example, the huge granite steps leading to the main entrance weren't in place yet. But the 1,000-seat auditorium was prepared for the ceremony. The Masons were proud that the memorial was built without any debt. They only started work when they had the money.
More than 100 special trains brought about 150,000 visitors to Alexandria. The historic U.S. Navy ship USS Constitution sailed to Alexandria for the event. The Post Office even set up a special temporary post office at the site.
A heavy rain fell on dedication day. Only about 20,000 people came to watch the parade. President Herbert Hoover and most of his Cabinet attended. The ceremony was moved inside to the new auditorium. Special items that belonged to Washington were used. These included the Bible he used to take his presidential oath and a silver urn with a lock of his hair. A special Masonic ritual was performed.
Finishing the Inside
Even after the dedication, work on the memorial's interior continued for many years. The Great Depression and World War II slowed things down. Money and building materials were hard to find.
In 1935, plans were made for different floors. The fourth floor would honor famous Masons from each state. The sixth floor would be a Masonic library, and the eighth floor a museum. But these plans changed over time. In 1938, large lights were added to the second floor hall. In 1939, the granite steps and walls around the memorial were finally installed.
Progress in the 1940s and 1950s
By 1941, the total cost of the memorial had risen to $6 million. The U.S. Department of Commerce donated equipment to light the building and tower for aviation. In 1942, a painting of Washington in his Masonic clothes was donated.
The Blue Lodge room and a replica of Washington's lodge room were finished in 1942. After the war, work picked up. Rooms for different Masonic groups, like the Shriners, began to be completed. In 1947, the Alexandria-Washington Lodge Replica Room was dedicated. The Grotto, another Masonic group, paid to finish a room on the third floor. The Scottish Rite donated money to finish the north lodge room. This encouraged many other Masonic groups to donate.
The first elevator was installed in 1947. The memorial's dining room was finished in 1947. The Grotto's room on the third floor was dedicated in 1948. President Harry S. Truman gave the memorial a large, lit replica of the Great Seal of the United States.
By 1949, the observation deck was being built. Two unique slanting elevators were installed. They were the only slanting elevators in the world at the time! A huge Persian carpet, worth $1 million, was donated. Stained glass windows were installed in the Memorial Hall.
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In 1950, a 17-foot high (5.2 m) bronze statue of Washington was unveiled. President Truman dedicated it. Artist Allyn Cox was hired to paint murals inside the memorial. These murals showed Masonic events and scenes from Washington's life. Stained glass windows showing famous Masons were also installed.
By 1953, the observation deck was finished and opened to the public. Staircases between the first and second floors were finally built. In 1954, a large pipe organ was installed in the main auditorium. The memorial association decided the fourth floor would be a Washington museum.
In 1957, the Royal Arch Room was dedicated by Vice President Richard Nixon. The Knights Templar dedicated their chapel on the eighth floor. By 1958, the seventh-floor Cryptic Masonry room was dedicated. Bronze doors were installed for the elevators.
Final Touches in the 1960s and 1970s
In 1962, 12 dioramas were added to the assembly hall. They showed important moments in Washington's life. By 1964, the Washington museum was still unfinished. But in 1966, Washington's family donated many papers and items. This helped raise the money needed to finish the museum.
In February 1966, Senator Everett Dirksen dedicated the George Washington museum on the fourth floor. This meant the last room in the tower was finally complete. In 1970, the old heating system was replaced. New lighting was installed for the tower. The memorial was considered complete in 1970. The granite facing and exterior lighting were fully finished by 1973.
About the Building
The George Washington Masonic National Memorial is built in the Neoclassical style. Some parts also show Greek Revival and Romanesque Revival styles. The columns change styles as you go up the tower. The first set are Doric, then Ionic, and finally Corinthian at the top.
The memorial has nine floors. The first floor, called the Grand Masonic Hall, has eight large green granite columns. It's 66 feet (20 m) long and wide, and 20 feet (6.1 m) high. Twelve dioramas showing Washington's life are in this hall. Exhibits about the Shriners and Freemasonry are also on this floor.
The second floor is the main level. Its entrance has a large portico with eight pink granite columns. These columns are 33 feet (10 m) high and weigh 63 short tons (57 t) each. Inside, the Alexandria-Washington Lodge No. 22 Replica Lodge Room looks exactly like Washington's original lodge room. It has items that belonged to him.
The main part of the second floor is the Memorial Hall. It's 100 feet (30 m) long and 51 feet (16 m) high. Eight green granite columns support its roof. A 17 feet (5.2 m) high bronze statue of Washington stands at one end. Murals by Allyn Cox show scenes from Washington's life, like him laying the U.S. Capitol cornerstone.
Behind the Memorial Hall is the semicircular Memorial Theater. It seats 358 people and has a large pipe organ. The North Lodge Room, also on this floor, is used for Masonic meetings.
The tower holds floors three through nine. Each section of the tower gets smaller as it goes up.
- The third floor has exhibits about different Masonic groups.
- The fourth floor is the George Washington Museum. It has many items owned by Washington and a bronze statue of him.
- The fifth floor is for Royal Arch Masonry. It has an Egyptian Revival style and a replica of the Ark of the Covenant.
- The sixth floor is the Memorial Library, filled with Masonic books.
- The seventh floor is for Cryptic Masonry. It looks like a secret crypt and has murals about Masonic rituals.
- The eighth floor has a chapel for the Knights Templar. Its stained glass windows show scenes from the Christian Bible.
- The ninth floor has the Tall Cedars Room and the observation platform. From here, you can see amazing views.
The top of the memorial has a step pyramid with seven steps. A light shaped like a double keystone sits on top. This shape is very important to Freemasons.
The memorial sits on 36 acres (15 ha) of parkland. It's a nonprofit organization, so it doesn't pay taxes. You can visit the first and second floors freely. For other floors, a guide must accompany you. Tours happen every hour and now have a small fee.
How the Building Operates
The George Washington Masonic National Memorial is special because all 52 Grand Lodges in the U.S. support it. For many years, each new Freemason paid a small fee to help maintain the building.
In the 1980s, the memorial faced money problems. Fewer people were joining the Freemasons, so donations dropped. The building needed many repairs. To avoid a crisis, some Grand Lodges started asking their members for regular contributions. The GWMNMA also began fundraising and selling gifts.
To connect more with the community, the memorial started renting out its rooms for events in 1993. By 2000, the memorial's special fund for future needs had grown to $12 million.
Changes and Updates
Many changes have happened since 1970. The King Street Metro station opened nearby in 1983. In 1990, antennas were added to the top of the memorial to help with police radio signals.
For its 60th anniversary in 1992, the museum showed special items from Washington's life. Researchers also found interesting things while recataloging the museum's collection. For example, a piece of Washington's family Bible was found to have been placed in the Washington Monument's cornerstone.
In 1999, a large Square and Compasses symbol was added to the memorial's grounds. It's 70 feet (21 m) wide and 60 feet (18 m) long. You can even see it from planes landing at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.
Many renovations happened around 1999 and 2000. Rooms were cleaned and restored. Air conditioning was added to some areas. Elevators were upgraded, and the building was made more accessible for people with disabilities. Old hazardous materials were removed. The George Washington Museum also began a major renovation.
By 2002, the memorial still needed many repairs. But in 2003, the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry donated $200,000 to renovate the George Washington museum. In 2004, the Shriners' rooms were also updated.
Before the association's 100th anniversary in 2010, the memorial had more big repairs. The Main Assembly Hall was renamed the Grand Masonic Hall and restored. Air conditioning was installed throughout the building. The main granite steps were repaired. New exhibits were added, including one about George Washington as a Freemason. Another exhibit showed stones from the White House that had Masonic symbols.
Community Connections
The GWMNMA wants the memorial to be a bigger part of Alexandria. In 1994, they held their first "open house." People could visit without a guide and see special items from Washington's private collection.
The memorial also allowed archeological digs on its grounds in 1994. Shooter's Hill has a long history, with signs of human activity going back 3,000 years. Archeologists found old tools, pottery, Civil War items, and even doll heads. In 2002, the memorial opened an exhibit to show these amazing discoveries.
Images for kids
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George Washington Masonic National Memorial - Looking West
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George Washington Masonic National Memorial - Looking Northeast
