Free tickets are distributed
for that day's visit from the kiosk on the Washington Monument
grounds at 15th Street and Jefferson Drive on a first-come
first-served basis 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.
Advance Washington
Monument tickets are obtained through the NPS ticket system
(877) 444-6777
"...First
in War, First in Peace and First in
the
Hearts of his Countrymen..." Lighthorse Harry Lee
George Washington, the most national
man of his generation, known as "the Father of our Country," took his
oath of office as the first President of the United States
in 1789.
Many monuments have been erected in his honor and cities,
counties, colleges and even people have been named after
him. The tallest
structure in the Nation's Capital at the height of 555 feet
5 1/8 inches honors George Washington in the center of our
national mall. Within the Washington Monument are 897 steps
and an electric elevator taking 70 seconds to reach the top
for a spectacular view of the Nation's Capital. Maryland
marble was used to complete the monument but for almost 25
years,
it stood incomplete at the height of about 153 feet because
of lack of funding and the growing disagreement between the
North and South resulting in the Civil War. When construction
resumed a marble slightly different in tone was used resulting
in a noticeable ring on the shaft. The monument is an obelisk
which is an ancient symbol in Egypt representing immortality.
Similarly, George Washington is immortal in the hearts of
his countrymen.
** Free tickets, issued at the National
Park Service kiosk on the monument grounds, are needed
to ride the
elevator
to the top.
George Washington, the most national
man of his generation, known as "the Father of our Country," took his
oath of office as the first President of the United States
in 1789.
Many monuments have been erected in his honor and cities,
counties, colleges and even people have been named after
him. The tallest
structure in the Nation's Capital at the height of 555 feet
5 1/8 inches honors George Washington in the center of our
national mall. Within the Washington Monument are 897 steps
and an electric elevator taking 70 seconds to reach the top
for a spectacular view of the Nation's Capital. Maryland
marble was used to complete the monument but for almost 25
years,
it stood incomplete at the height of about 153 feet because
of lack of funding and the growing disagreement between the
North and South resulting in the Civil War. When construction
resumed a marble slightly different in tone was used resulting
in a noticeable ring on the shaft. The monument is an obelisk
which is an ancient symbol in Egypt representing immortality.
Similarly, George Washington is immortal in the hearts of
his countrymen. 
