Washington Monument Opens For Public Tours After 32 Month Closure

32 months later, the Washington Monument is finally set to reopen for public tours after it suffered major damage in an August 2011 earthquake along the East Coast.

Since the 5.8-magnitude earthquake struck, the 130-year-old monument was covered in scaffolding to repair the more than 150 cracks in the 555-foot obelisks’ white marble per USA Today.

The Washington Monument is open to public tours today after a 32 month closure.
Image courtesy of Wikipedia

Public tours of the Washington Monument will officially open at 1 p.m. on Monday. Attending the ceremony, however, does not guarantee entry into the tour. Tickets are available on a first-come, first-serve basis and will begin selling at 8:30 a.m. Monday at the Washington Monument lodge.

Philanthropist David Rubenstein matched the $7.5 million in public funds allocated by Congress for the monument’s restoration process and is a major part in getting the historical piece back. In March, National Park Service Director Jonathan B. Jarvis said in a written statement, “We are grateful for David Rubenstein’s generous donation that funded half of the $15 million repair bill.”

Rubenstein told The Associated Press on Sunday that he was surprised by how much the monument means to people who have thanked him through letters and e-mails for his generous donation. He said he’s pleased the project was completed on time and within budget.

“It became clear to me that the Washington Monument symbolizes many things for our country â€" the freedoms, patriotism, George Washington, leadership,” he said. “So it’s been moving to see how many people are affected by it.”

During an early look at the monument restoration, Rubenstein climbed to the top, making his way up the stairs in a suit and tie. Memorial plaques inside the Washington monument from each state appeared to be clean and intact, and he said the view “is really spectacular.”

The monument was built in two phases between 1848 and 1884 per The Associated Press. When it was completed, it was the world’s tallest structure for five years straight until it was surpassed by the Eiffel Tower in Paris. Today, the monument remains the world’s tallest freestanding stone structure.

Update from previous story.