What was the original idea for the Washington Monument?


What was the original idea for the Washington Monument? In the 1790s, architect Benjamin Latrobe designed an Egyptian-style pyramid that would include large murals painted inside to honor Washington as the United States' first president. Planning for a monument began during Washington's lifetime, and was part of the original plan for the new capital city.


What are 5 facts about the Washington Monument?

5 Things You Might Not Know About the Washington Monument
  • Plans for the monument began even before Washington was elected president. ...
  • The original design for the monument was much different than what ended up being built. ...
  • The monument was once the site of a hostage situation. ...
  • The monument has survived an earthquake.


Why is Washington Monument 2 colors?

The two sections closely resembled each other at first, but time, wind, rain, and erosion have caused the marble sections to weather differently, thereby producing the difference in color. A third type of marble is also visible at the dividing line between the two main phases of construction.


Was the Washington Monument built to remember our first president?

The Washington Monument was created to remember our nation's first president, George Washington.


How was the Washington Monument built without mortar?

The Monument is an engineering marvel. The Washington Post recently pointed out an interesting fact in an on-going debate about the Monument as the world's tallest free-standing masonry structure. The Monument's marble blocks are held together by just gravity and friction, and no mortar was used in the process.


Who funded the Washington Monument?

August 2, 1876 Congress appropriates $2 million in federal funds to complete the construction of the Washington Monument. The public funding is contingent upon the transfer of ownership of the monument from The Washington National Monument Society to the federal government.


Can I go inside the Washington Monument?

One person (16+ years old) may obtain up to six tickets for an available ticket time. All visitors (including children ages 2+) must have a ticket to enter the Washington Monument. During peak season, tickets run out quickly. Expect a line to form at the ticket window wait long before the ticket window opens.


Is the Washington Monument taller than the pyramid of Giza?

The Washington Monument is 100 feet taller than the Great Pyramid of Giza. If the Washington Monument and the Great Pyramid each were 355 feet shorter, the Washington Monument would be twice as tall as the Great Pyramid.


What was the original purpose of the Washington Monument?

The Washington Monument, designed by Robert Mills and eventually completed by Thomas Casey and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, honors and memorializes George Washington at the center of the nation's capital. The structure was completed in two phases of construction, one private (1848-1854) and one public (1876-1884).


Why is there a pyramid on top of the Washington Monument?

The pyramid was supposed to serve as a lightning rod, and since Frishmuth had already done some plating work for the monument, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers called on him to fashion the topper as well. They requested a small metal pyramid, preferably made from copper, bronze, or platinum-plated brass.


Why is the Washington Monument not in line with the White House?

Thereafter in the actual implementation of the Monument's construction the engineers responsible for it's construction apparently observed that the formal nexus originally intended was too marshy and the soil there presumably not competent to support the weight of the massive structure proposed.


Why is there an obelisk at the White House?

The Washington Monument is an obelisk on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., built to commemorate George Washington, a Founding Father of the United States, victorious commander-in-chief of the Continental Army from 1775 to 1783 in the American Revolutionary War, and the first President of the United States from ...


What does the obelisk symbolize?

Scholars believe that obelisks represented eternity and immortality, and their long, tapering form functioned to connect the heavens and the earth. Their pinnacles were typically covered in gold to reflect the sunlight.