Washington Monument Attracts Eager Visitors as It Reopens After Repairs

"New York has its Empire State Building, Paris has its Eiffel Tower and now, finally, Washington has its Monument back. The best view in the District and one of the city’s signature tourist draws returned to duty Monday when the obelisk reopened after $15 million in repairs following the 2011 earthquake.

The construction fencing was gone, the elaborate top-to-bottom scaffolding (which became an architectural fan favorite in its own right) was down, and instantly back in place was the familiar standing crowd of tourists milling around the base of the 555-foot stone spire. Those lucky enough to have bagged one of the free inaugural tickets to the top waited for their time to board the elevator; others craned their necks to take in an up-close perspective that’s been off limits for more than 30 months."

Steve Hendrix reports for the Washington Post May 12, 2014.