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Plans for a Monument
Monumental Plans for the "Federal City"
Pierre L'Enfant honored George Washington in his plans for the new nation's capital, now known as Washington DC. His design called for a statue of Washington on a horse at this site. Over time, the monument's design evolved into the towering obelisk you are visiting today.
A Winning Design:
In 1836 the Washington National Monument Society asked for designs "unparalleled in the word" to honor George Washington. 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. |