By — Ariel Min Ariel Min Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/washington-monument-reopens-3-years Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Photos: Washington Monument reopens after 3 years Nation May 12, 2014 6:17 PM EDT WASHINGTON — The scaffolding is gone and the elevator that glides up D.C.’s famous 555-foot marble obelisk is running again. After a 33-month renovation, the Washington Monument on Monday reopened to the public. When a 5.8-magnitude earthquake shook the ground here in August 2011, it left enduring cracks and other damage inside and outside of the monument. It cost approximately $15 million to fully restore the 130-year-old memorial that honors George Washington. The cracks are fixed, the damaged marble has been replaced and the National Parks Service also installed new exhibits, according to Carol Johnson, the NPS Public Affairs Officer. “I hate to say it, but it was a monumental task.” Johnson said. The media were invited to tour the monument on Saturday. Below are photos from the top of the monument: View of the White House and north D.C. from the observation deck inside the Washington Monument. View of the White House and northeast D.C. from the observation deck inside the Washington Monument. View of the Lincoln Memorial, Reflecting Pool, World War II Memorial and Northern Virginia from the observation deck inside the Washington Monument. View of the Tidal Basin and Thomas Jefferson Memorial from the observation deck inside the Washington Monument. Looking down eastward from the observation deck inside the Washington Monument. View of the U.S. Capitol from the observation deck inside the Washington Monument. More than 150 cracks have been repaired since a 5.8-magnitude earthquake damaged the monument in August 2011. The National Parks Service has installed new exhibits inside the Washington Monument. We're not going anywhere. Stand up for truly independent, trusted news that you can count on! Donate now By — Ariel Min Ariel Min @ariellamin
WASHINGTON — The scaffolding is gone and the elevator that glides up D.C.’s famous 555-foot marble obelisk is running again. After a 33-month renovation, the Washington Monument on Monday reopened to the public. When a 5.8-magnitude earthquake shook the ground here in August 2011, it left enduring cracks and other damage inside and outside of the monument. It cost approximately $15 million to fully restore the 130-year-old memorial that honors George Washington. The cracks are fixed, the damaged marble has been replaced and the National Parks Service also installed new exhibits, according to Carol Johnson, the NPS Public Affairs Officer. “I hate to say it, but it was a monumental task.” Johnson said. The media were invited to tour the monument on Saturday. Below are photos from the top of the monument: View of the White House and north D.C. from the observation deck inside the Washington Monument. View of the White House and northeast D.C. from the observation deck inside the Washington Monument. View of the Lincoln Memorial, Reflecting Pool, World War II Memorial and Northern Virginia from the observation deck inside the Washington Monument. View of the Tidal Basin and Thomas Jefferson Memorial from the observation deck inside the Washington Monument. Looking down eastward from the observation deck inside the Washington Monument. View of the U.S. Capitol from the observation deck inside the Washington Monument. More than 150 cracks have been repaired since a 5.8-magnitude earthquake damaged the monument in August 2011. The National Parks Service has installed new exhibits inside the Washington Monument. We're not going anywhere. Stand up for truly independent, trusted news that you can count on! Donate now