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Washington Monument facts for kids

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Washington Monument
Washington Monument Dusk Jan 2006.jpg
Location Washington, D.C., United States
Area 106.01 acres (0.429 km²)
Established January 31, 1848
Visitors 467,550 (in 2005)

The Washington Monument is a large, tall, white obelisk near the west part of the National Mall in Washington, D.C. It was built to remember George Washington, who was the first President of the United States. It is the tallest stone structure in the world, and is 555 feet 5⅛ inches (169.294 m) tall. The monument is made of marble, granite, and sandstone. The monument was started in 1848 but was not finished until 1884. This was because the American Civil War started soon after construction started. Construction continued after the war ended, but the type of sandstone was changed. Because of this, about part of the way up, you can see a change in color of the monument. The monument opened on February 21, 1885 after 19 years total of construction.

Plans of building the monument began even before Washington was elected president.

Visitors to Washington, D.C., can tour the inside of the Washington Monument. There is an elevator which takes people to the top. From the top, it is possible to see the National Mall, the White House, the U.S. Capitol, and the Lincoln Memorial.

Earthquake damage

On Tuesday, August 23, 2011, the Monument was cracked by an earthquake. A 5.8-magnitude earthquake struck Northern Virginia, about 135 km (84 mi) from Washington D.C. After inspection, cracks were found at the top of the Monument. Initially Monument and the plaza around it was closed indefinitely however after repair, it has been re-opened in Oct 2019, for visitors. There were early reports that the Monument was leaning. The National Park Service said that while there was damage, the Monument is not leaning.


Images for kids

  • LCCN2003656330 Design of the National Washington Monument in the City of Washington cropped

    Print of the proposed Washington Monument by architect Robert Mills (1781–1855), Proposed Plan circa 1845–1848

  • Jefferson Pier and Washington Monument

    West side of Jefferson Pier with Washington Monument in background

  • Washington Monument circa 1860 - Brady-Handy

    The partially completed monument, photographed by Mathew Brady; circa 1860

  • Washington-Monument-1885

    Monument plans and timeline of construction

  • Washington Monument - Setting the capstone - Harper's Weekly

    P. H. McLaughlin setting the aluminum apex with Thomas Lincoln Casey (hands up)

  • Worlds tallest buildings, 1884

    Diagram of the Principal High Buildings of the Old World, 1884. The Washington Monument is the tallest structure represented.

  • WashingtonMonumentSenorAnderson

    The monument undergoing restoration in 1999

  • Photo of the Washington Monument Memorial Stone from Utah (State of Deseret)

    Memorial stone from Utah representing the former provisional State of Deseret

  • Aluminum apex Repaired 1934

    Aluminum apex showing inscriptions on its east (left) and north (right) faces. Lightning rods not shown.

  • Showing about 85 irregular large stones in mortar between empty shaft well and outer marble veneer

    Cross section of rubble in shaft at 150 feet and typical of rubble below 150 feet

  • Washington Monument pyramidion rib structure

    Rib structure of pyramidion with letter designations for courses

  • Washington Monument foundation

    Cross section of foundation, both old and reinforced, showing dimensions

  • Sections - Washington Monument, High ground West of Fifteenth Street, Northwest, between Independence and Constitution Avenues, Washington, District of Columbia, DC HABS DC,WASH,2- (sheet 31 of 37)

    North interior wall with its stairs and their wire screening.

  • Overhead view of Washington Monument

    Fifty American flags around the monument

  • Buildings in Washington, D.C. 01907 (cropped) ha-ha wall 2

    A low-profile ha-ha wall surrounds the monument

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