Washington Monument to reopen in May

Katia Hetter, CNN
2 minute read
Updated 4:59 PM EDT, Tue March 25, 2014
After years of renovations, the Washington Monument <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2019/08/16/politics/washington-monument-open-after-repairs/index.html" target="_blank">is reopening to visitors</a> on Thursday, September 19. The landmark was closed in August 2016 so that repairs could be made to its elevator control system.
After years of renovations, the Washington Monument is reopening to visitors on Thursday, September 19. The landmark was closed in August 2016 so that repairs could be made to its elevator control system.
MANDEL NGAN/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Before the elevator issues, the monument was closed from 2011 to 2014. A magnitude-5.8 earthquake caused extensive damage to the structure, cracking the marble in over 150 places.
Before the elevator issues, the monument was closed from 2011 to 2014. A magnitude-5.8 earthquake caused extensive damage to the structure, cracking the marble in over 150 places.
Mark Wilson/Getty Images
Workers walk on scaffolding around the monument as repairs continue in April 2013.
Workers walk on scaffolding around the monument as repairs continue in April 2013.
NICHOLAS KAMM/AFP/Getty Images
A tourist takes a photo of the Washington Monument — half-covered in scaffolding — in March 2013.
A tourist takes a photo of the Washington Monument — half-covered in scaffolding — in March 2013.
NICHOLAS KAMM/AFP/Getty Images
Barricades are in place to keep people a safe distance from the damaged structure in August 2012.
Barricades are in place to keep people a safe distance from the damaged structure in August 2012.
Mark Wilson/Getty Images
No major injuries were reported after the 2011 earthquake struck about 40 miles northwest of Richmond, Virginia.
No major injuries were reported after the 2011 earthquake struck about 40 miles northwest of Richmond, Virginia.
Contractors began conducting a block-by-block inspection of the monument in September 2011.
Contractors began conducting a block-by-block inspection of the monument in September 2011.
Gordy Kito, left, and Erik Sohn pull in rope for people working on the damaged landmark.
Gordy Kito, left, and Erik Sohn pull in rope for people working on the damaged landmark.
Contractor David Megerie traverses the exterior of the monument.
Contractor David Megerie traverses the exterior of the monument.
A worker descends the length of the monument after the earthquake. Officials said the heaviest damage seemed to be near the top of the structure.
A worker descends the length of the monument after the earthquake. Officials said the heaviest damage seemed to be near the top of the structure.
Repairing the Washington Monument

Story highlights

A 2011 earthquake damaged the Washington Monument

The repair job has cost $15 million and taken nearly three years

The monument will reopen officially in May

CNN  — 

The remaining scaffolding around the Washington Monument will begin to come down this week.

The monument will officially reopen on May 12, the National Park Service announced Tuesday. One of Washington’s most popular sites, the monument was closed on August 23, 2011, after a 5.8 magnitude earthquake caused more than 150 cracks in the structure.

The $15 million restoration project took nearly three years to complete. The National Park Service and the Trust for the National Mall are planning to host a reopening ceremony at 10 a.m. ET On May 12.

Public tours will begin that day at 1 p.m., and tickets will be made available on a first-come, first-served basis that morning at the Washington Monument Lodge.

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Starting April 16, tickets for tours on future dates will be available at the park service’s reservation page, www.recreation.gov. The park service will offer extended operating hours, 9 a.m.-10 p.m., through the end of summer.

“We are delighted to be in the homestretch with the repairs to the Washington Monument almost complete, and we look forward to the re-opening on May 12 so we can once again welcome visitors to this iconic monument to our nation’s first President,” said National Park Service Director Jonathan B. Jarvis, in a press release.

Congress allocated $7.5 million to the restoration project, and philanthropist David M. Rubenstein matched those funds with a $7.5 million donation to the monument’s restoration via the Trust for the National Mall.