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WASHINGTON ton at the laying of the cornerstone of the Inserted in the interior walls are 188 Mills' shaft, which were at variance with Capitol in 1793 was employed on this carved stones presented by individuals, traditional dimensions of , were occasion. societies, cities, States, and foreign na­ altered to conform to the classic concep­ Work progressed favorably until 1854, tions. They include stones from the Par­ tion, thus producing an that for when the building of the Monument be­ thenon at Athens, the ruins of ancient grace and delicacy of outline is not ex­ HE WASHINGTON MONU­ torical importance, administered by the came involved in a political quarrel of the , and the tomb of Napoleon at celled by any of the Egyptian monoliths. MENT, built at intervals between of the Department moment, thereby estranging a large body St. Helena. Forty-eight were presented by 1848 and 1885 with funds from of the Interior for the benefit and inspira­ T of citizens and discouraging the collection States of the Union. Near the top are WASHINGTON DURING THE public subscriptions and Federal appropri­ tion of the American people. Included in of funds. This unfortunate affair, together several given while -day States were ations, memorializes the achievements and the system of historical areas administered REVOLUTIONARY WAR with the growing dissension between the still Territories. unselfish devotion to principle and to coun­ by this Service are four other areas associ­ North and South which led to the War IN July 1775, when General George Wash­ try of ; attests the grati­ ated with George Washington: George between the States, caused the Monument MILLS' ORIGINAL DESIGN ington stood under an elm tree on Cam­ tude of the people of the United States to Washington Birthplace National Monu­ to stand incomplete at the height of about bridge Common and took command of the the father of their country and their like ment, Va.; Fort Necessity National Bat­ THE present Monument, a hollow shaft 153 feet for almost 25 years. Finally, on raw levies of the newly formed Continental faith in the causes for which he stood. It tlefield Site, Pa.; Morristown National without decoration or embellishment, has August 2, 1876, President Grant approved Army, his rise to enduring fame really be­ is a part of the National Park System, com­ Historical Park, N. J.; and Colonial Na­ little in common with Mills' original elab­ an act which provided that the Federal gan. Though already an international fig­ prising areas of scenic, scientific, and his- tional Historical Park, Yorktown, Va. orate plan for a decorated obelisk 600 Government should take over and com­ ure because of the part he had played in feet high and 70 feet at the base, rising plete the erection of the Monument. The the French and Indian War, the quarter of MILLS' ORIGINAL DESIGN from a circular colonnaded building 100 EARLY HISTORY OF THE Engineer Corps of the War Department a century that loomed ahead of that July feet high and 250 feet in diameter, sur­ WASHINGTON MONUMENT was placed in charge of the work. day was to place him high in the ranks of rounded by 30 columns each 12 feet in the world's great. The problems that con­ A MONUMENT in honor of George Wash­ CONSTRUCTION RESUMED diameter and 45 feet high. This temple fronted the new commander and his coun­ ington was first considered by the Conti­ was to be an American pantheon, a repos­ try were colossal. Thirteen small colonies, nental Congress in 1783. At the time of his AND MONUMENT itory for statues of Presidents and national with potentially rich but yet undeveloped death, and during the next three decades, COMPLETED heroes, containing a colossal statue of resources, had embarked on armed conflict Congress neglected to take definite action George Washington. The proportions of with the richest and most powerful empire on many additional proposals for the erec­ IN 1880 work was resumed on the shaft. The new Maryland with which the in the world, whose fleets proudly boasted tion of a suitable memorial to Washington. THE MONUMENT IN 1879 that they ruled the sea and whose far-flung In 1833 the Washington National Monu­ remainder of the Monument is faced, was secured from the same vein as the original commerce supplied an abundance of the ment Society was organized by influential weapons of war. citizens of the National Capital who deter­ stone used for the lower portion, but came As leader of the small mined to make reparation for the failure from a different strata and has weathered aspiring to win national independence for of Congress and undertook the building of to a slightly different tone. This explains the colonies, Washington exhibited a re­ a "great National Monument to the mem­ the "ring" noticeable on the shaft. The markable capacity to utilize to the utmost ory of Washington at the seat of the Fed­ walls of the memorial reached the height the scanty material resources and un­ eral Government." of 500 feet on August 9, 1884. The cap­ stone was set in place on December 6, trained armed force at his command. His persistence secured essential reinforcements LAYING THE CORNERSTONE 1884, marking the completion of the work. Dedicated on , 1885, the and supplies from reluctant governors and THE progress of the Society was at first Monument was opened to the public on assemblies and enabled him to strengthen slow, but by 1847 the sum of $70,000 had October 9, 1888. the Army and feed and clothe his fre­ been collected by popular subscription. A The top may be reached by , or quently cold and hungry troops. To an design submitted by , well by an iron stairway. The first elevator was unusual degree he possessed the ability to known as an architect, was selected but a steam hoist. This was used until 1900 win the support of capable men in both later greatly revised. Congressional author­ when the first electric elevator was in­ military and civil life. He made of this ity for the erection of the Monument was stalled. The present elevator, procured in Continental Army an easily maneuverable soon granted. On July 4, 1848, the corner­ 1926, makes the ascent in 70 seconds. The force which survived the worst blows of its stone was laid with elaborate Masonic iron stairway consists of 50 landings and foe and even won significant victories in the ceremonies. The trowel used by Washing­ 898 steps. first 3 years of the war. He thus assured THE MONUMENT FROM THE MEMORIAL the all-important alliance with ment established under the Articles of WASHINGTON phrases the republicanism and nationalism which was to guarantee the achievement Confederation. The public debt remained IN RETIREMENT that he symbolized. The acceptance of of American independence. unpaid, and public credit declined. The democratic principles increasingly became By the close of the Revolution the out­ States levied their own customs duties and WHEN, in March 1797, Washington set out the fashion in nineteenth-century Europe standing position of Washington in the disputed among themselves over the regu­ for to pass the remaining and South America, where liberals and minds of the American people was gener­ lation of interstate commerce and other years of life at his beautiful estate on the nationalists spread his fame. Chateaubri­ ally recognized. More than any other vital matters. In this national crisis Wash­ Potomac, he left behind him a great work and, celebrated French commentator on American he symbolized the Revolution ington was again summoned to serve his successfully executed. As the people had and its triumphant conclusion. He had country. He presided over the Convention America, said: "The name of Washington looked to him for leadership in war, so will spread with liberty from age to age." been its military leader for more than 8 of 1787 that drew up the Federal Consti­ they looked to him for leadership in peace, years, and no figure in American military tution, and in 1789 his outstanding ability and he did not disappoint them. or civil life commanded the same general was recognized by his unanimous election Steadily through the years that have respect and admiration as were given to as first President of the United States. ADMINISTRATION elapsed since Washington's death, his fame the great Commander in Chief, who at In his new office, Washington showed has burned brightly. All sections of the THE Washington Monument, open daily times by the strength of his character as the same high administrative qualities that country, North and South, East and West, 9 a. m. to 5 p. m., is administered by Na­ much as by military ability had prevented had characterized his work as Commander the Revolution from collapsing. No other in Chief of the Continental Army. His have recognized him as a truly great man tional Capital Parks of the National Park American military hero has possessed in choice of executive officers again proved whom all citizens can and should admire. Service. An elevator fee of 10 cents is equal measure so many outstanding quali­ his capacity to select men of high compe­ Indeed, no other American has been ac­ collected from visitors 17 years of age or ties of leadership. It is not strange that he tence and to place them in positions where corded such general admiration. Abroad, older, with the exception of high school has come to be regarded as the father of their ability could be used to the best ad­ the fame of Washington grew as the French groups who are admitted free up to 19 this country and that he has remained the vantage. During his administration the Revolution enunciated in unforgettable years of age. preeminent figure in American history. public credit was restored. Vexatious dis­ putes among the States over domestic com­ WASHINGTON, THE FIRST merce disappeared with the regulation of STATISTICS PRESIDENT interstate commerce by the Federal Gov­ Cornerstone laid, July 4, 1848. Area of foundations (126 feet 6 inches square), ernment. While the enactment of these Capstone set, December 6, 1884. 16,002 square feet. THE years that followed the Revolution measures was accompanied by bitter re­ Dedicated, February 21, 1885. Weight of foundations, 36,912 tons. further added to the fame of Washington. criminations directed partly against Wash­ Opened to public, October 9, 1888. Weight of Monument, 81,120 tons. This was a critical period in the life of the ington himself, the laws which successfully Total cost, $1,187,710.31. Weight of pyramidion, 300 tons. Weight of capstone, 3,300 pounds. young republic. Its very existence was launched the new government on its course Height of Monument above floor, 555 feet 5^8 inches. Maximum pressure on underlying soil, 9 tons endangered by the weak central govern­ have won the approbation of posterity. Side of base of shaft, 55 feet 1 */a inches. per square foot. Side of top of shaft, 34 feet 5/2 inches. Sway of Monument in 30-mile-per-hour wind, an NIGHT VIEW OF MONUMENT THROUGH CHERRY BLOSSOMS Thickness of walls at base of shaft, 15 feet. 0.125 of inch. Thickness of walls at top of shaft, 18 inches. Memorial stones, 188. Material used on face of shaft, white marble. Number of steps, 898. Depth of foundations, 36 feet 10 inches. A 16-page illustrated booklet giving additional information about George Washington and the Washington Monument may be obtained at the Washington Monument Lodge or from the Superintendent of Documents, Government Printing Office, Washington 25, D. C, at 10 cents a copy. UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR • J. A. KRUG, Secretary , WASHINGTON NATIONAL PARK SERVICE, NEWTON B. DRURY, Director MONUMENTS U. S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1946 16—49271"!