Building the Washington Monument

Summary

This year commemorates the 175th anniversary of the Washington Monument's cornerstone laying. The monument's iconic obelisk design was a result of financial and political challenges, leading to a simplified structure from Robert Mills' original plan. Construction, which began in 1848, was marked by slow progress and halted for over 20 years due to the Civil War. The monument, completed in 1885, stands as a testament to unity and perseverance, featuring stones from various American states and foreign countries, reflecting the nation's diversity and the era's social dynamics.

Takeaways

• 🏗️ The Washington Monument was designed to be a simple obelisk, unlike the original plan for a classical colonnade by architect Robert Mills.
• 💵 Financial constraints and political issues significantly delayed the construction, which began in 1848 and was not completed until 1885.
• 👥 The monument was intended to be a collective effort of the people, with a one-dollar limit on individual contributions.
• 📈 The construction was so slow that it was seen as an embarrassment, with discussions of either finishing or tearing it down by the time of the American Centennial in 1876.
• 🗽 Stones from various parts of America and even foreign countries were used in the monument, reflecting the diversity and unity of the nation.
• 🔍 The monument's stones and engravings provide a window into 19th-century American society, including the temperance movement and the tensions leading up to the Civil War.
• 🗝️ The 'Pope Stone' from the Vatican was a point of controversy, reflecting the anti-Catholic and anti-foreigner sentiments of the time, and was thrown into the Potomac River by the Know-Nothing party.
• ⏳ The monument's construction was halted for over 20 years during the Civil War, symbolizing the nation's divided state and unrealized ideals.
• 🌟 Upon completion, the Washington Monument stood as the world's tallest structure at 555 feet, 5 and 1/8 inches, representing an idea of singularity, clarity, and aspiration.
• 🔎 The monument's marble cladding shows a visible difference, indicating the two distinct phases of construction that spanned nearly four decades.

Q & A

How many years has it been since the cornerstone of the Washington Monument was set into place?

It has been 175 years since the cornerstone of the Washington Monument was set into place.

What was the original design for the Washington Monument envisioned by Robert Mills?

Robert Mills originally envisioned a classical Colonnade going around the bottom of the Washington Monument, similar to a round classical Temple.

Why was the construction of the Washington Monument slow and challenging?

The construction was slow due to financial and political problems, and the crowd-funding approach which limited individual contributions to no more than a dollar.

What was the significance of the limit on individual contributions to the Washington Monument's construction?

The limit on individual contributions was intended to make the monument a symbol of the people, but it also made funding the project more difficult.

How did various groups and states contribute to the Washington Monument?

Groups and states contributed by sending stones, some of which were engraved with symbols and messages, reflecting the diversity and unity of 19th century America.

What does the Tennessee Stone's inscription tell us about the mid-19th century America?

The Tennessee Stone's inscription, 'The Federal Union it must be preserved,' is a direct reference to the tensions leading up to the Civil War, illustrating the divided state of the country at that time.

Why was there controversy surrounding the stone sent by Pope Pius IX?

The stone sent by Pope Pius IX was controversial because it was seen as an anti-Catholic and anti-foreigner gesture by the Know-Nothings, a political party opposed to such influences.

How did the Civil War impact the construction of the Washington Monument?

The Civil War led to a halt in construction for over 20 years, symbolizing the unrealized ideals of the United States at that time.

What was the public sentiment regarding the Washington Monument during the American Centennial in 1876?

There was renewed interest and a sense of urgency to finish the monument during the American Centennial in 1876, as it was seen as an embarrassment in its unfinished state.

What is the significance of the difference in the marble cladding visible on the Washington Monument?

The difference in the marble cladding indicates the two distinct phases of construction, reflecting the monument's troubled history and eventual completion in 1885.

What does the Washington Monument represent according to Paul Goldberger?

Paul Goldberger suggests that the Washington Monument, with its pure shape, represents Washington as an idea of singularity, clarity, perfection, and aspiration, heading for the sky.