Existing comment:
The Outside Story:
Have you ever wondered why the Washington Monument is two colors? Masons used a bright white marble from a Maryland quarry in the first construction phase. Builders completed the monument in the 1880s with marble from another quarry. Wind and rain have weathered the stones differently, making the color change more dramatic over time.
Repairs in the Air:
Over the years, the National Park Service has kept the Washington Monument standing proud. The first major repairs took place in 1934. In 2011 experts stepped in after an earthquake shook the structure, cracking and moving some fo the stones. |