Washington Monument facts for kids

Washington Monument
Location	Washington, D.C., United States
Coordinates	38°53′22″N 77°02′07″W
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. The Monument and the plaza around it have been closed indefinitely. 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

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  Sketch of the proposed Washington Monument by architect Robert Mills (circa 1836)

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  West side of Jefferson Pier with Washington Monument in background

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

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  Monument plans and timeline of construction

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

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

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  The monument undergoing restoration in 1999

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  Memorial stone from Utah representing the former State of Deseret

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  Aluminum apex showing inscriptions on its east (left) and north (right) faces

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

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  Rib structure of pyramidion with letter designations for courses

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

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  North interior wall with its stairs and their wire screening.

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  Overhead view showing all 50 American flags.

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  A low-profile ha-ha wall surrounds the monument

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  The Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument, and United States Capitol together are a typical establishing shot for Washington, D.C.

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  View from the top of the Washington Monument in July 2015 facing toward the Capitol

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  2003 view of monument, surrounded by a ring of Jersey barriers. The White House is visible at the upper right. The Lincoln Memorial is beyond the frame, at left.

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  Washington Monument - Clouds at sunset, March 2016

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  Cherry blossoms at the Tidal Basin and Washington Monument, March 2016

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  2005 aerial view facing east from above the Potomac River