By Mary Beth Sheridan and Petula Dvorak
Washington Post Staff Writers
Tuesday, November 28, 2006

Authorities closed the Lincoln Memorial for more than two hours yesterday after receiving reports of a suspicious liquid and a threatening note on the grounds, officials said. Tests showed no evidence of a harmful substance.

D.C. firefighters received a call at 12:40 p.m. reporting that a bottle believed to contain a liquid was found in the women's restroom in the base of the memorial, fire and federal homeland security officials said.

While a hazardous materials unit was en route, U.S. Park Police became concerned about a letter discovered on the statue of Lincoln in the main chamber of the memorial. According to officials, the letter asked, "Do you know what anthrax is?" and "Do you know what a bomb is?" In addition, a thermos that police found on the memorial steps was initially considered suspicious, officials said.

Officials closed the memorial, and the objects were tested by police explosives experts and the fire department's hazardous materials team, according to Wayne Benson, battalion fire chief in the Special Operations Division. They were deemed harmless and turned over to police and the FBI for a criminal investigation, officials said.

The Gatorade bottle found in the restroom was empty, said Alan Etter, a fire department spokesman. Etter said police were given the threatening letter by someone who found it on the statue of Lincoln.

The monument reopened about 3 p.m.

Park Police put out an alert to look for a man seen leaving the site about 12:30 p.m. He was described as white, about 6 feet tall and 200 pounds, with blond hair and wearing a green knit hat and green shirt. He appeared to be 30 to 35, according to the bulletin.