Build Your Own Adventure: Washington Monument

About This Activity

Build Your Own Adventure: Washington Monument is an fun, online activity to learn more about what it took to build the Washington Monument. You choose what to do at each stage and discover the fascinating real-life twists and turns in the history of building this iconic monument to George Washington. 

Washington Monument as it stood for 25 years, ca 1860

Matthew Brady, photographer. Library of Congress

The year is 1875. The United States of America is about to turn 100 years old. Birthday celebrations are being planned in cities and towns all across the nation. It’s an exciting time! But here in Washington, D.C., city leaders are struggling with a difficult decision. The Washington Monument remains unfinished. How can the Nation’s Capital celebrate when the monument to the “Father of our Country” looks like an old chimney?

You have just been selected to be part of a committee that has to decide what to do about the monument. You have been given two options: finish the obelisk or start over with a new design.

So, what will you do?

To help you decide, think about the following questions.

• Why is George Washington important?
• How do monuments and memorials help us remember important people and events?

Will you:

• Finish the Washington Monument? OR
• Start over with a new design?

Your Turn to Build

• 

  Build It!

  Build the Washington Monument

  This drawing shows the original plan for the Washington Monument with a shorter pyramid on top and a circular colonnade around the base

• 

  Start Over!

  Find A Better Design

  Some people thought that the monument should be dismantled and redesigned