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Timeline

PRE-CONSTRUCTION, 1799 - 1836
1799: George Washington dies
1800: Congress approves resolution to erect pyramid as a mausoleum for Washington
1833: Citizens form the Washington National Monument Society to raise private funds and construct the monument
1836: Architect Robert Mills wins design contest; specifies a 500-foot obelisk surrounded by a circular Greek temple; the temple is never built, but the obelisk is

CONSTRUCTION, 1848-1888
The monument was built during four stages.

1848 - 1854
152-foot level
1848: Cornerstone laid, construction begins
1854: Funds dwindle due to political unrest and Civil War, halting construction at 156 feet for 22 years

1855-1858
156-foot level
Late 1850s: Anti-Catholic activists stole building block donated by Pope Pius IX, seized Monument Society's offices

1876-1880
176-foot level
1876: Foundation, which was too weak and caused the monument to tilt, is excavated and fortified; President Ulysses S. Grant authorizes federal government to complete project

1881-1885
Full height: 555 feet 5 1/8 inches
1881-1884: Army Corp. of Engineers finishes final two-thirds of monument within three years
1884: Monument is topped with a 9-inch aluminum pyramid, one of the most rare and expensive metals of the time
1885: Monument is dedicated by President Chester A. Arthur
1888: Opened to the public

POST-CONSTRUCTION, 1888 TO PRESENT
1959: Present elevator installed, cutting ascent time to 70 seconds
1998-2000: Congress and several private corporations fund $9.4 million to restore the monument, which has been ravaged by years of water and dirt.

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