Information Panel: A Monumental Legacy

This informational sign briefly describes the Washington Monument, the tallest building in Washington, DC, how to visit the monument, and provides a local area map.

• (373 words)<br />From the southeast intersection of Constitution Avenue, NW and 17th street in Washington, DC, travel southeast three hundred forty yards on a pedestrian walkway through an open grass field and slightly uphill towards the Washington Monument. On your left, along the walkway and facing north towards the White House is a four by three-foot wayside titled in the upper left corner:<br />A Monumental Legacy<br />The background of the sign features a color photograph of the white obelisk of the Washington Monument set in the center of the sign and in front of a light blue sky, rising from behind pink and white flowering cherry blossom trees in full bloom as they hang over the edge of the still water of the Tidal Basin beneath them.<br />Text in the upper left corner reads:<br />The Washington Monument honors George Washington, hero of the American Revolution and first president of the United States. When this stunning stone obelisk was completed in 1884, it was the tallest building in the world. Today the monument towers over Washington, DC, reminding us of Washington's life and legacy, including the capital city that bears his name.<br />Large text in the top right corner reads:<br />About Your Visit<br />Beneath is written:<br />Tickets Available at Washington Monument Lodge on a first-come, first-served basis, or online at recreation.gov. Open daily except July 4 and December 25.<br />Restrooms Open during normal park hours.<br />Accessibility Lodge, restrooms, walkways, and monument tour are wheelchair accessible. Monument exhibits include audio descriptions, touchable displays, and open captioning.<br />The bottom right of the sign features a map of the Washington Monument and surrounding area. Constitution Avenue lines the top of the map. To the south is the German-American Friendship Garden, and to its right the National Museum of African American History and Culture. To the left, across 17th street, is the Lock Keeper's House. The Washington Monument sits below, in the center of the map, and an arrow indicates your location to the west. The World War II Memorial is set at the west side of the map, just across 17th street. Along the southern edge of the map are the Survey Lodge on Independence Avenue and the Sylvan Theater to the east on the Washington Monument Park grounds.<br />END OF DESCRIPTION<br />

Information Panel: A Monumental Legacy-1

This informational sign briefly describes the Washington Monument, the tallest building in Washington, DC, how to visit the monument, and provides a local area map.

• (306 words)<br />From the intersection of 15th street, NW and Madison Drive, proceed about two hundred feet along the pedestrian walkway to the west and towards the Washington Monument. Set on the west side of the walkway, two feet in front of a three-foot-tall stone retaining wall, is a four by three-foot wayside titled in the upper left corner:<br />A Monumental Legacy<br />The background of the sign features a color photograph of the white obelisk of the Washington Monument set in the center of the sign and in front of a light blue sky, rising from behind pink and white flowering cherry blossom trees in full bloom as they hang over the edge of the still water of the Tidal Basin beneath them.<br />Text in the upper left corner reads:<br />The Washington Monument honors George Washington, hero of the American Revolution and first president of the United States. When this stunning stone obelisk was completed in 1884, it was the tallest building in the world. Today the monument towers over Washington, DC, reminding us of Washington's life and legacy, including the capital city that bears his name.<br />The bottom right of the sign features a map of the Washington Monument and surrounding area. Constitution Avenue lines the top of the map. To the south is the German-American Friendship Garden, and to its right the National Museum of African American History and Culture. To the left, across 17th street, is the Lock Keeper's House. The Washington Monument sits below, in the center of the map, and an arrow indicates your location to the west. The World War II Memorial is set at the west side of the map, just across 17th street. Along the southern edge of the map are the Survey Lodge on Independence Avenue and the Sylvan Theater to the east on the Washington Monument Park grounds.<br />END OF DESCRIPTION<br />

Information Panel: A Monumental Legacy-2

This informational sign briefly describes the Washington Monument, the tallest building in Washington, DC, how to visit the monument, and provides a local area map.

• (317 words)<br />From the intersection of 15th street, NW and Jefferson Drive, SW, proceed about two hundred feet west, into the Washington Monument Park grounds, along the pedestrian walkway as it curves to the left. Set on the west side of the walkway, along a chain fence, and two feet in front of a three-foot-tall stone retaining wall, is a four by three-foot wayside titled in the upper left corner:<br />A Monumental Legacy<br />The background of the sign features a color photograph of the white obelisk of the Washington Monument set in the center of the sign and in front of a light blue sky, rising from behind pink and white flowering cherry blossom trees in full bloom as they hang over the edge of the still water of the Tidal Basin beneath them.<br />Text in the upper left corner reads:<br />The Washington Monument honors George Washington, hero of the American Revolution and first president of the United States. When this stunning stone obelisk was completed in 1884, it was the tallest building in the world. Today the monument towers over Washington, DC, reminding us of Washington's life and legacy, including the capital city that bears his name.<br />The bottom right of the sign features a map of the Washington Monument and surrounding area. Constitution Avenue lines the top of the map. To the south is the German-American Friendship Garden, and to its right the National Museum of African American History and Culture. To the left, across 17th street, is the Lock Keeper's House. The Washington Monument sits below, in the center of the map, and an arrow indicates your location to the west. The World War II Memorial is set at the west side of the map, just across 17th street. Along the southern edge of the map are the Survey Lodge on Independence Avenue and the Sylvan Theater to the east on the Washington Monument Park grounds.<br />END OF DESCRIPTION<br />

Information Panel: A Monumental Legacy-3

Information Panel: Washington: The Man, The Monument, The City

Washington: The ManGeorge Washington shaped the United States in both war and peace. He led the Continental Army against the British in the American Revolution. After eight long years, his small force defeated the world's strongest military. The new nation looked to Washington as a unifying figure, electing him the first President of the United States of America. Washington helped define the presidency by leaving office after two terms, setting the precedent of a peaceful tra

• (615 words)<br />Three wayside signs sit behind the Washington Monument Lodge at the east end of the Washington Monument Park grounds in Washington, DC<br />From the intersection of 15th street, NW and Jefferson Drive, SW travel west onto a pedestrian walkway that leads into the Washington Monument Park grounds. Follow the path to the right about two hundred twenty feet. To the west is a one-story stone building with two columns lining double glass front doors with windows at either side.<br />On the back, west side of this building, is a half-moon-shaped plaza area, bordered by a two-foot high, curved retaining wall. Set in the grass lawn, about two feet in front of the wall are three, three by four-foot wayside signs.<br />The sign to the left is titled in the upper left corner in gold letters to read:<br />Washington: The Man<br />The right two thirds of the sign feature a painting of a man with white, ear-length hair, standing proudly while wearing a black coat with high white collar and ruffled tie. He holds a sword in his left hand and extends his right hand outward.<br />Text below to the left reads:<br />Background: A Gilbert Stuart portrait painted in 1796, near the end of Washington's second term.<br />White House Historical Association<br />The sign in the middle is titled in the upper right corner in gold letters to read:<br />Washington: The Monument<br />The left side of the sign features a color photograph of the Washington Monument, taken from an elevated height and facing northeast. The white obelisk stands tall from the center of an open field, encircled by walking paths that arc and intertwine through the green grass field below. The red roofs of the Andrew Mellon Auditorium and Internal Revenue Service, white buildings of the Smithsonian Museum of American History and Natural History, the Post Office Building Tower and other government buildings sit in the background.<br />In the lower right corner of the sign sits a black and white photograph of one dozen men standing shoulder-to-shoulder in long dark coats and military uniform. The two men standing furthest outside hold flags on poles set on the ground. Behind them in the faded distance is an obelisk with a flat top. Text below reads:<br />Soldiers drill on the White House Ellipse during the Civil War. The monument behind them remains unfinished.<br />The sign furthest to the right has a blue background and is titled in the upper left corner in gold letters that read:<br />Washington: The City<br />The right two-thirds of the sign feature an image in blue of the Potomac River flowing from top to bottom. To the right is a blue grid of small boxes ordered symmetrically in horizontal and vertical lines. Darker blue lines dissect the grid at angles, forming a crisscross pattern over the grid. A dark rectangle at the east side of the Potomac River is labeled: Washington Monument Site.<br />A four by two-inch image in the lower right corner shows a white one-story building with white columns and a tall white obelisk protruding from its center. The image is labeled at the bottom in red letters around a black dotted circular design:<br />Sketch of Washington National Monument<br />By Roby:Mills, Arct.<br />Below in white letters reads:<br />National Archives and Record Administration<br />To the left in gold letters in written:<br />Slow Progress<br />Below in white text reads:<br />In 1836 the Washington National Monument Society held a contest to design the monument. Architect Robert Mills proposed a stone pillar, or "obelisk", rising from a low building surrounded by columns. This design was later simplified into the clean lines you see today.<br />Text in the bottom left corner reads:<br />Background: Plan if Washington, DC, 1792<br />END OF DESCRIPTION

Information Panel: Washington: The Man, The Monument, The City-1

Washington: The ManGeorge Washington shaped the United States in both war and peace. He led the Continental Army against the British in the American Revolution. After eight long years, his small force defeated the world's strongest military. The new nation looked to Washington as a unifying figure, electing him the first President of the United States of America. Washington helped define the presidency by leaving office after two terms, setting the precedent of a peaceful tra

• (580 words)<br />Three wayside signs sit along a walkway leading to the west side of the Washington Monument in Washington, DC, titled Washington: The Man, The City, and The Monument.<br />Travel three hundred feet north on 17th street, NW from Independence avenue. A walkway on the east side of 17th street leads up through an open grass field to the Washington Monument three hundred eighty yards to the east.<br />Set at the left side of the walkway, at 17th street, are three, three by four-foot wayside signs.<br />The sign to the left is titled in the upper left corner in gold letters to read:<br />Washington: The Man<br />The right two thirds of the sign feature a painting of a man with white, ear-length hair, standing proudly while wearing a black coat with high white collar and ruffled tie. He holds a sword in his left hand and extends his right hand outward.<br />Text below to the left reads:<br />Background: A Gilbert Stuart portrait painted in 1796, near the end of Washington's second term.<br />White House Historical Association<br />The sign in the middle is titled in the upper right corner in gold letters to read:<br />Washington: The Monument<br />The left side of the sign features a color photograph of the Washington Monument, taken from an elevated height and facing northeast. The white obelisk stands tall from the center of an open field, encircled by walking paths that arc and intertwine through the green grass field below. The red roofs of the Andrew Mellon Auditorium and Internal Revenue Service, white buildings of the Smithsonian Museum of American History and Natural History, the Post Office Building Tower and other government buildings sit in the background.<br />In the lower right corner of the sign sits a black and white photograph of one dozen men standing shoulder-to-shoulder in long dark coats and military uniform. The two men standing furthest outside hold flags on poles set on the ground. Behind them in the faded distance is an obelisk with a flat top. Text below reads:<br />Soldiers drill on the White House Ellipse during the Civil War. The monument behind them remains unfinished.<br />The sign furthest to the right has a blue background and is titled in the upper left corner in gold letters that read:<br />Washington: The City<br />The right two-thirds of the sign feature an image in blue of the Potomac River flowing from top to bottom. To the right is a blue grid of small boxes ordered symmetrically in horizontal and vertical lines. Darker blue lines dissect the grid at angles, forming a crisscross pattern over the grid. A dark rectangle at the east side of the Potomac River is labeled: Washington Monument Site.<br />A four by two-inch image in the lower right corner shows a white one-story building with white columns and a tall white obelisk protruding from its center. The image is labeled at the bottom in red letters around a black dotted circular design:<br />Sketch of Washington National Monument<br />By Roby:Mills, Arct.<br />Below in white letters reads:<br />National Archives and Record Administration<br />To the left in gold letters in written:<br />Slow Progress<br />Below in white text reads:<br />In 1836 the Washington National Monument Society held a contest to design the monument. Architect Robert Mills proposed a stone pillar, or "obelisk", rising from a low building surrounded by columns. This design was later simplified into the clean lines you see today.<br />Text in the bottom left corner reads:<br />Background: Plan if Washington, DC, 1792<br />END OF DESCRIPTION

Jefferson Pier Stone

Prior to the dredging of the Potomac River that created West Potomac Park, this was formerly the shoreline. The pier at this location was located at the intersection of the east-west line from the U.S. Capitol Building and the north-south line from the White House. Thomas Jefferson advocated for the north-south line that connects the Washington Monument, the White House, and 16th Street to be the "Washington Meridian," a navigational aid for sailors. However, the idea never c

• (143 words)<br />The Jefferson Pier sits along the northwest grass hillside of the Washington Monument in Washington, DC.<br />From the intersection of 17th street NW and Constitution Avenue, NW travel southeast along the pedestrian walkway onto the Washington Monument Park grounds. Follow the path three hundred forty-five yards at a slight incline. A two-foot tall stone retaining wall encircles the Washington Monument grounds at this point. Set about thirty feet southeast, towards the Washington Monument, along the hillside, is a two-square-foot wide, three-foot tall granite monolith set on a three by four-foot flat cement base.<br />Crossing horizontal and vertical lines are engraved on the upper surface of the monolith, and a faded engraving on its west-facing side reads:<br />POSITION OF JEFFERSON<br />PIER ERECTED DEC 18, 1804.<br />RECOVERED AND RE-ERECTED<br />DEC 2, 1889.<br />DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA<br />A line above District of Columbia has been chiseled out.<br />END OF DESCRIPTION<br />

Survey Lodge

When the Washington Monument first opened, its elevator relied on steam generated by boilers in this building. The building is now a ranger station and is not open to the public.

• (190 words)<br />The Survey Lodge is located on the southwest edge of the Washington Monument grounds in Washington, DC. Traveling west on Independence Avenue, SW, the lodge sits on the north side of Independence Avenue at the intersection with westbound Maine Avenue SW.<br />From the intersection of westbound Independence Avenue and Maine Avenue SW, turn right into the side road about one hundred fifty feet to the west. The asphalt road, lined with cobblestone on both sides, winds six hundred feet around the Survey Lodge, and returns to Independence Avenue.<br />The lodge is a one-story marble and granite block structure. The north, west and south, sides all feature a door on the right and two windows to the left. A chimney runs up the west side.<br />A fence lines the west side of the building, bordering off a backyard patio area. A walking path leads from the north along the chain-fence-lined side road around the east to Independence Avenue.<br />Twenty-foot trees guard the south and west sides, obscuring much of the view of the building. A picnic area is set west of the building, set among shade trees and a grass lawn.<br />END OF DESCRIPTION<br />

Washington Monument

The iconic landmark in Washington, DC, honors the first president and was for a time the tallest building in the world.

• (305 words)<br />The Washington Monument is a five hundred fifty-five feet and one eighth inches tall granite and marble obelisk set high atop a grassy hill at the west end of the National Mall, east of the Lincoln Memorial and Reflecting Pool and west of the United States Capitol building in Washington, DC<br />The monument sits on six acres of grassy lawn and is bordered by Constitution Avenue, NW to the north, Independence Avenue, SW to the south, 14th street to the east, and 17th street to the west. The hilltop rises at a gentle incline from the border streets of the grounds to the monument at the center of the block.<br />The obelisk is five hundred-feet five and one eighth inches tall and has a fifty-five-foot tall, pointed pyramidion on top. Eight observation widows are set on the pyramidion and each side features two flashing red lights. The lower one hundred-fifty feet of the obelisk have a slightly lighter shade of marble than the three hundred-fifty feet above.<br />Fifty American flags fly from flagpoles that ring the outer edge of a circular plaza area that lies at the monument base. Marble benches are also set around the outside plaza perimeter.<br />Walkways lead up to the base of the monument from all four corners and midpoints of the bordering streets, and an intertwined pattern of walkways circles the monument.<br />From atop the Washington Monument plaza the Lincoln Memorial is visible to the east, the National Mall and Capitol building to the west, the White House to the north, and the Tidal Basin and East and West Potomac Park to the south.<br />The Washington Monument Lodge is located at the east end of the monument grounds. The one-story stone building is bordered by a two-foot high, curved retaining wall which continues around the perimeter of the Washington Monument.<br />END OF DESCRIPTION<br />

Washington Monument Lodge

When the Washington Monument first opened, its elevator relied on steam generated by boilers in this building. The building is now houses a book store, restrooms, and a ticket booth.

• (154 words)<br />The Washington Monument Lodge sits at the east end of the Washington Monument Park grounds in Washington, DC.<br />From the intersection of 15th street, NW and Jefferson Drive, SW travel west onto a pedestrian walkway that leads into the Washington Monument Park grounds. Follow the path to the right about two hundred twenty feet. To the west is a one-story stone building with two columns lining double glass front doors with windows at either side.<br />On the back, west side of this building, is a half-circular patio area, bordered by a two-foot high, curved retaining wall. The wall continues around the perimeter of the Washington Monument.<br />Set in the grass lawn on the west side of the building, about two feet in front of the wall are three, three by four-foot wayside signs.<br />The interior of the building features a bookstore and ticket booth. Restrooms are located on the right side of the building.<br />END OF DESCRIPTION<br />

• Silver Line - DC Metro
• Step off the Silver Line to take a walk on Theodore Roosevelt Island, or sight see from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. Each of the parks listed here are 1 mile or less from each metro stop (about a 20 minute walk) or a 10 minute bus ride away.

• Blue Line - DC Metro
• From the National Mall and Memorial Parks to the Mount Vernon Trail, travel the Blue Line to see what the southern portion of Washington, DC has to offer. Each of the parks listed here are 1 mile or less from each metro stop (about a 20 minute walk) or a 10 minute bus ride away.

• Visit the Washington Monument
• Did you know you can go to the top of the Washington Monument? You can! But you will need to plan ahead. Tickets are required to visit the interior of the Washington Monument.