WASHINGTON MONUMENT.....Visit it and pay respects to all the heroes of our nation!!!
Written: Mar 24 '03 (Updated Apr 10 '07)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Great view, centrally located. Stands tall day and night.
Cons: You must get tickets early in the day for a view from the top.
The Bottom Line: George Washington was a man of huge stature in our nation. The monument reflects his greatness.
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| popsrocks's Full Review: Washington Monument |
This past weekend business brought me down to Washington DC. My work was at night so I had all day Saturday to visit the Washington Mall Area. Standing tall and proud in the middle of all is the Washington Monument.
GEORGE WASHINGTON
Back in the days when our forefathers declared independence our fledgling nation was blessed with great men of honor, wisdom, and courage. Of all these people it is George Washington that is called the ""Father of his country". He was the commander of the Continental Army. It was through his determination that he helped form the rag tag group into a fighting force that ultimately won freedom and a chance to give birth to our new nation.
After the war, the thirteen original states put together a government of which Washington was unanimously voted as the first President of the United States. This was remarkable when thinking about all the differences all the states had a the time. Washington was known as a good, honorable, and man of fore site. As president he wanted for the people only and did not want the presidency to have any feeling of a king like reign. He was voted in a second term and could have run for a third time. He refused. He felt a new person should take the lead and it should forever be an ever changing role.
THE MONUMENT
About thirty years after his death in 1799 a commission was put together to honor this great man. Statues and buildings were the first thoughts. After further talk and study it was thought that something more grand yet simple would be appropriate. An obelisk was agreed upon. On July 4, 1848 the cornerstone was laid. The ceremony was attended by many leaders. I found it interesting that another great president to be was in attendance. He was still a representative at the time. I am speaking of Abraham Lincoln, whose own monument is now easily visible from the Washington Monument.
The Washington Monument now stands at 555' 5" tall. I did not learn if these numbers were of any significance. If anyone knows please leave a comment.
Due to financial restraints and the civil war the obelisk was not finished until 1884. When looking at the monument you can see the difference in the materials used between 1854 when building was halted and twenty five years later, after the war, when construction resumed. The structure is topped with a marble capstone that was covered in the rare, at the time, metal, aluminum.
VISITING THE MONUMENT
The monument is open everyday of the year except December 25th, Christmas day. Down below the hill the east side of the monument is a stone building, this is called a kiosk. If it's a cloudy day or you don't have a good sense of direction look for it on the Capitol Building side of the monument. Here you can obtain the free tickets for a tour. They are set up by times, generally half hour apart, on a first come first serve basis. At the top of the hill and at the base of the monument are the gathering areas. These are at the three foot high concrete walls that were added for security reasons some years back. Your ticket will state what time to meet.
It is important to get your tickets early in the day or you may be shut out. On most days tickets are all issued by 10am. The kiosk opens at 8am but the line begins to form at about 7am. Just a reminder, a person can obtain up to five tickets for his or her party. If you are shut out you can get tickets for the next day.
The best thing to do is order your tickets before arriving. It will cost you this way but then it's a sure thing. Sure thing that is except weather. To order ahead at $1.50 per ticket plus a one time service fee of .50 for all the order, call 1-800 967 2283. You can also do this through the internet at www.reservations.np.gov
They accept visa discover and master card.
At different stations will be park rangers who will meet up with you. These men and woman are full of information. I wish I asked them about the height! These rangers will take your tickets and start giving information about George Washington and the Monument.
There is a short elevator ride to the top, about seventy seconds. While waiting the ranger asked us where we were from and I found it interesting that people were there from all parts of the nation and all over the world. He also asked if there was anybody who had never had a ride in an elevator before. I was surprised that there were about six people in our group that hadn't. It was also stated by a Brit that this is noted as a lift in England.
Once up there you are told you can stay as long as you like. I have never tested that statement. About fifteen minutes up there will suffice. The view is awesome!!
I think it's a good idea to get one of the free maps of the capitol area and study it before you go up. From the top you can see the way the capitol was designed. It is in large roads, Avenues, that radiate from different sites and monuments. They do have indicators at each of the windows showing what can be seen from the particular vantage point.
Take your time and take pictures. A telephoto lens will help get good pictures of the many important buildings of the area from a different and lofty view. Afterward you can view some of the blocks that are inscribed on the inside of the building. There are 193 of them. They represent states, cities, foreign countries, civic groups Native American nations and other groups. These are donations that honor Washington. All had to be on a four foot by two foot block. I found them interesting. See them while walking down. There is also a small book shop, very small, near the top levels.
HANDICAPPED ACCESSIBLE
Yes, indeed. Going to the base of the monument are paved paths. Once inside an elevator will take you to the top. Most everybody walks down about a dozen or so steps to catch the elevator down. If you cannot do this they will let you in at the top level. You, however, will miss the commemorative stones within. It is still worth the ride up and the views. A wheelchair can get around in the top level.
THE AREA AROUND THE MONUMENT
When driving or even flying into the capitol region the first thing you see is the Capitol building, it was built on the highest piece of land in the area, or the Washington monument that soars higher than all the other monuments of DC. As noted earlier the monument is on a hill. This hill is surrounded by acres of clear land and lawn. This is a delightful area to be in on a comfortable day.
SOME PERSONAL REFLECTIONS
While walking a this open area there were pickup softball games, frisbees being thrown about, a couple of tag football games, and about seventy five or so families and couples and singles participating in a kite flying day. Many obvious tourists were walking about or taking a break sitting down on the lawns. Families with strollers and young ones tagging along, young couples, school groups and many people from all over the world were there peacefully enjoying their day. It was there while I watched the ball games and people strolling that I was thinking how fortunate we are to live in a free society.
While we were all enjoying our day, brave men and woman across the world are defending our freedom and fighting for the freedom of other peoples. I wish that oppressed people throughout the world could see what wonderful freedoms we have and know that, like George Washington and his rag tag Continental army, they too could and should fight for this freedom. The United States is not an Imperial Country. We do believe in freedom and rights for all people. May God Bless our heroes abroad and at home.
OTHER NEARBY SITES
The wonderful thing about the Washington Monument is that once you are there you are in walking distance of most of the Capitol offerings. Get a view from the top and note where you may be going to. At the base of the hill on the South western side is the Survey Ranger Station. This would be considered the Jefferson Memorial side. Here you can get free maps of DC and brochures about all the monuments and building in the Park Service. Another note is that this is where you can get your National Parks Passbook cancelled. For those of you who may not know about this wonderful way to learn about our Great National parks please read my review about it.
On a hot day here is a little secret. They have one of the very few cold water fountains of the area in the building. There are well maintained and indoor restrooms here too. No porta potties for me.
Ha, nearby this building, on that day, a well known toilet tissue company was offering use of their own, very special, porta potties. I had to get a look. They are still pretty small, but, what you see within is like day and night. Tile walls, oak floors, great lighting, running water, and best yet sqeezeably soft toilet tissue. No funny odors either.
Please be sure to visit the Vietnam Memorial on the way to the Lincoln Memorial walking from the Washington Memorial. Sadly, I have a friend on the wall that I always try to make time to visit when in town. Also, on that side of the mall is a simple and little known or visited memorial dedicated to the signers of the Declaration of Independence. It is within the Constitution Gardens area. See it.
I suggest going to the Korean War Memorial also. It is a haunting experience being there. This is across from the Lincoln Memorial and a short walk from the Vietnam Memorial.
If you are checking out this area you will notice construction going on. Right now a new memorial dedicated to Americans who lost their lives in the Second World War is being built. We, the United States, fought on many fronts in that war and brought freedom to may countries. It was noted recently that all we asked for, in the liberation of Europe, was a place to bury our brave men and woman. These heroes need to remembered by us and all peoples. Without the ultimate sacrifice of the brave, many more people throughout the world would still be in the chains of dictators, and totalitarians.
We try to remember our heroes here in the states. The Washington Monument rightfully stands tall in our capitol. We, as a people, gained our freedom some 200 years ago. Hopefully, more people of other nations will gain their freedoms too. Come and visit, learn, and pay respects.
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Recommended:
Yes
Best Suited For: Families
Best Time to Travel Here: Anytime
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