The National Mall in Southwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Why is the Washington Monument Temporarily Closed?
Washington Monument
| | National Mall & Memorial Parks, National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior | |
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, November 11, 2011
1. Why is the Washington Monument
Temporarily Closed? Marker
Temporarily Closed? Marker
On August 23, 2011, a magnitude 5.8 earthquake centered in Virginia sent tremors throughout eastern North America. This seismic activity affected a number of Washington, D.C. landmarks, including the Washington Monument. National Park Service engineers and experts in historic preservation and earthquake engineering immediately assessed the physical impact in order to determine the best way to repair this national treasure and restore public access.
Completed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 1884, the Washington Monument honors George Washington for his generalship in the Revolutionary War (1775-1783) and for his later refusal to serve more than two terms as President of the United States (1789-1797). The Monument remains the worlds tallest freestanding stone structure, having weathered several earthquakes, including one in 1897 with a magnitude of 5.9.
For Another Birds Eye View:
The National Park Service suggests a visit to the 270-foot observation level of the historic Old Post Office Tower, open daily, except December 25th. Located at 12th Street and Pennsylvania, NW, the tower ranks third in height among Washington, D.C. buildings and offers sweeping views of the Nations Capital.
Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
Topics.
this page online
Location. Marker has been permanently removed. It was located near 38° 53.344′ N, 77° 2.002′ W. Marker was in Southwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia. It was in The National Mall. It was on 15th Street Southwest north of Jefferson Drive Southwest, on the left when traveling north. Marker is located on the east side of the Washington Monument. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: Washington DC 20024, United States of America.
We have been informed that this marker is no longer there and will not be replaced. This page is an archival view of what was.
Regionally, this marker was in the Washington Metropolitan Area. It was also in the American Northeast, in the Upper South, in the Mid-Atlantic, in the Tidewater, and in the Chesapeake Bay Region. Globally, it was in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location: A different marker also named A Monumental Legacy (within shouting distance of this marker); Washington: The Man (within shouting distance of this marker); Washington: The Monument (within shouting distance of this marker); Washington: The City (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named A Monumental Legacy
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, November 11, 2011
2. Why is the Washington Monument Temporarily Closed? Marker
Other markers no longer nearby. A Monumental Legacy (was a few steps from this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); a different marker also named A Monumental Legacy (was about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line but has been replaced with another marker now near it).
More about this marker. The background of the marker shows a map of North America indicating the epicenter of the earthquake in Mineral, Virginia and its proximity to Washington, D.C. as well as Toronto, Ontario and Atlanta, Georgia.
Photographs at the lower left of the marker depict Cracks in the pyramidion on the west side of the Monument.; Daylight appear[ing] where mortar and historic joint filler once were.; and National Park Service personnel amidst fallen marble and mortar.
Finally, under the Birds Eye View sidebar is a map of the National Mall indicating the location of the Washington
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, November 11, 2011
3. Marker at the Washington Monument
The marker is seen here near the base of the Washington Monument.
Photographed by Richard E. Miller, May 12, 2013
4. The Washington Monument with scaffolding and earthquake damage repairs in progress.
Credits. This page was last revised on October 4, 2024. It was originally submitted on November 13, 2011, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 912 times since then and 28 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 13, 2011, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 4. submitted on January 9, 2014, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland.
