Plans for the Washington Monument began before Washington was even elected president.  Because he was commander-in-chief of the American Army during the Revolutionary War, the Continental Congress voted in 1783 to erect a statue of him. The original design called for 30 stone columns and statues of the Declaration of Independence signers with George Washington driving a chariot in front of an enormous obelisk in the center.  In fact, a cornerstone ceremony held when ground was broken, was attended by a little known Congressman named Abraham Lincoln.

Thank you to Curt Buchholz and the National Parks Foundation for making our VIP trip so incredible!