Rising 555 feet above the National Mall in Washington, D.C., the Washington Monument is one of the most iconic and recognizable structures in the United States. Completed in 1884, this grand monument to America‘s first president takes the form of a massive obelisk, inspired by the towering structures of ancient Egypt. The choice of an obelisk for the monument was no accident, but rather a deliberate decision steeped in historical symbolism and national identity.
The Ancient Egyptian Origins of Obelisks
The use of obelisks as monuments dates back to ancient Egypt, where they were erected as early as the 4th dynasty (c. 2613-2494 BCE). According to Egyptologist Richard H. Wilkinson, "The obelisk was one of the most enduring symbols of ancient Egyptian culture, and its form was associated with the sun god Ra, the creator god Atum, and the concept of creation itself" (Wilkinson, 2000, p. 57).
Obelisks were typically carved from a single block of stone, usually red granite from the quarries at Aswan. They were often placed in pairs at the entrances of temples and were believed to be imbued with divine power. The towering vertical shape of the obelisk was also associated with the ben-ben, the primordial mound that emerged from the primeval waters at the moment of creation in Egyptian mythology (Curran et al., 2009).
The Design Competition and Selection Process
The idea for a monument honoring George Washington first arose in the late 18th century, shortly after his death in 1799. However, it wasn‘t until the 1830s that serious efforts to build a monument began. In 1833, the Washington National Monument Society was formed with the goal of raising funds and overseeing the construction of a suitable memorial to the nation‘s first president.
In 1836, the society announced a design competition for the monument, which attracted entries from architects across the country. The winning design, submitted by architect Robert Mills, called for a massive obelisk rising from a circular colonnade. Mills‘ design was heavily influenced by his admiration for ancient Egyptian architecture and the symbolism of the obelisk.
As Mills explained in his submission, "The obelisk form has been chosen as the most appropriate for a national monument. It is a form that has been used by all nations from the earliest periods of civilization, to commemorate great events and illustrious characters" (Harvey, 2001, p. 55).
Construction Challenges and Controversies
Construction on the Washington Monument began in 1848, but progress was slow and fraught with challenges. Funding was a constant issue, and the outbreak of the Civil War in 1861 brought construction to a halt. It wasn‘t until 1876, under the leadership of Lieutenant Colonel Thomas L. Casey of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, that work on the monument resumed in earnest.
One of the most visible challenges of the construction process was the change in the color of the monument‘s stone. The lower portion of the obelisk, built before the Civil War, was constructed using marble from a quarry in Baltimore. However, when construction resumed in the 1870s, the original quarry was no longer available, and marble from a different quarry in Massachusetts was used for the upper portion. The result is a noticeable difference in the color of the stone, with the lower portion being slightly darker than the upper portion.
Another controversy surrounding the monument‘s construction involved the inclusion of a stone donated by Pope Pius IX in the 1850s. The stone, which bore the inscription "Rome to America," was seen by some as an inappropriate mixing of church and state. In 1854, members of the anti-Catholic Know-Nothing Party broke into the monument‘s storage yard and stole the stone, allegedly smashing it to pieces and tossing it into the Potomac River (Savage, 2009).
Symbolic Importance and National Identity
The Washington Monument‘s location on the National Mall, at the intersection of the White House and the Capitol Building, is highly symbolic. The monument serves as a visual and symbolic link between the executive and legislative branches of the U.S. government, reinforcing the idea of a unified nation under the guiding principles laid out by George Washington.
As historian Kirk Savage notes, "The Washington Monument was meant to be the people‘s monument, a symbol of national unity and republican virtue" (Savage, 2009, p. 4). The monument‘s completion in 1884 was a moment of great national pride, with over 800 dignitaries and 150,000 citizens attending the dedication ceremony.
Over time, the Washington Monument has become an iconic symbol of American national identity. Its image has been featured on countless postcards, stamps, and tourist souvenirs, and it has been the backdrop for major events such as presidential inaugurations and Fourth of July celebrations.
By the Numbers: Statistics and Dimensions
The Washington Monument is an impressive feat of engineering and construction. Here are some key statistics and dimensions:
- Height: 555 feet, 5 1/8 inches (169.046 meters)
- Width at base: 55 feet, 1 1/2 inches (16.8 meters)
- Width at top: 34 feet, 5 inches (10.5 meters)
- Total weight: 90,854 tons (82,421 metric tons)
- Number of stones: 36,491
- Thickness of walls at base: 15 feet (4.6 meters)
- Thickness of walls at top: 18 inches (0.5 meters)
- Number of steps: 897
- Fastest elevator speed: 500 feet per minute (2.53 meters per second)
| Material | Quantity | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Marble | 108,334 cubic feet | Maryland, Massachusetts |
| Granite | 18,000 cubic feet | Maine |
| Bluestone gneiss | 5,000 cubic feet | Maryland |
Data sourced from the National Park Service (2021)
Shaping the Landscape of the Nation‘s Capital
The construction of the Washington Monument had a significant impact on the urban planning and development of Washington, D.C. The monument‘s location at the intersection of the White House and the Capitol Building established the National Mall as the city‘s central axis and helped to define the layout of the surrounding streets and buildings.
As the city grew and developed over the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the Washington Monument remained a focal point and a key element in the city‘s skyline. Its presence helped to inspire the City Beautiful movement, which sought to create grand, monumental public spaces in American cities (Savage, 2009).
Notable Events and Ceremonies
Throughout its history, the Washington Monument has been the site of numerous notable events and ceremonies. Some of the most significant include:
- The dedication ceremony on February 21, 1885, which was attended by over 800 dignitaries and 150,000 citizens.
- The 100th anniversary celebration on February 21, 1985, which featured a fireworks display and a laser light show.
- The 50th anniversary of the end of World War II in 1995, which included a flyover by World War II-era planes and a tribute to veterans.
- The reopening ceremony on September 19, 2019, following a three-year closure for repairs and renovations.
Public Perception and Reception
Public perception of the Washington Monument has evolved over time. During the early years of its construction, the monument was the subject of controversy and criticism, with some arguing that its design was too simplistic or that its construction was taking too long.
However, as the monument neared completion in the 1880s, public opinion began to shift. The monument‘s dedication ceremony in 1885 was a moment of great national pride, and the monument quickly became a beloved symbol of American democracy and resilience.
In the years since its completion, the Washington Monument has continued to capture the public imagination. It has been featured in countless works of art, literature, and popular culture, and has become an instantly recognizable symbol of the nation‘s capital.
Conservation and Preservation Efforts
As one of America‘s most iconic and historic structures, the Washington Monument requires ongoing conservation and preservation efforts to ensure its structural integrity and longevity. The monument has undergone several major restoration projects over the years, including:
- The installation of a new elevator system in the 1990s to replace the original steam-powered elevators.
- A comprehensive survey and repair project in the early 2000s to address cracks and other structural issues.
- A major restoration project from 2016 to 2019 to repair damage caused by a 2011 earthquake and to modernize the monument‘s elevator and security systems.
The National Park Service, which oversees the monument, is committed to ongoing conservation efforts to preserve the monument for future generations. This includes regular maintenance, monitoring, and scientific research to better understand the monument‘s materials and structural properties.
Conclusion
The Washington Monument stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of George Washington and the founding principles of the United States. Its iconic obelisk form, inspired by the great monuments of ancient Egypt, serves as a symbol of national unity, resilience, and democratic ideals.
Through its history, design, and symbolism, the Washington Monument offers a fascinating lens through which to explore American history, culture, and identity. As the nation continues to evolve and face new challenges, the monument remains a constant reminder of the values and ideals that have shaped America from its very foundation.
References
- Curran, B. A., Grafton, A., Long, P. O., & Weiss, B. (2009). Obelisk: A history. MIT Press.
- Harvey, F. (2001). Monument wars: Washington, D.C., the National Mall, and the transformation of the memorial landscape. University of California Press.
- National Park Service. (2021). Washington Monument statistics. https://www.nps.gov/wamo/learn/historyculture/index.htm
- Savage, K. (2009). Monument wars: Washington, D.C., the National Mall, and the transformation of the memorial landscape. University of California Press.
- Wilkinson, R. H. (2000). The complete temples of ancient Egypt. Thames & Hudson.
