There was a unique relic lying just below the column. These workers were annoyed and confused at first. Who left odd things lying around? However, they soon realized how important the piece was. It actually shed light on the United States of America’s history.
Shouldn’t Be Shocked
These workers were putting in a septic tank below the ground when they noticed it. If they had understood the history, they might not have been shocked. That side of the Washington Monument saw the most sunlight, and Masonic beliefs claim that this is where people should expect things to be tucked away.
Shouldn’t Be Shocked
What They Saw
The workers saw a granite block within the ground. While that doesn’t sound very exciting, that wasn’t the end of the discovery. In fact, it was the cornerstone of this grand monument, so there was more than meets the eye.
What They Saw
Excitement All Around
Lance Humphries, the Mount Vernon Place Conservatory Executive Director, was excited. This non-profit organization preserves historical landmarks in the area. He said everyone knew a cornerstone was laid, but they didn’t realize it was in the building.
Excitement All Around
Not Excited Initially
The workers weren’t really thrilled with their find immediately. However, they soon realized how excellent it was, so they stopped working to dig out the piece. They brought out the block and saw that it was hollow inside!
Not Excited Initially
Not Totally Empty
Still, the block wasn’t empty. They found relics from a previous era. Those items were likely added by people who thought the next generation might enjoy them. Plus, many secrets were revealed in the container; the truth came out at last!
Not Totally Empty
Maximilian Godefroy
The world was different when this cornerstone was buried. It all started in 1810 when the residents raised funds to construct a monument dedicated to George Washington. They wanted the best, so Maximilian Godefroy was called in.
Maximilian Godefroy
Rejections Galore
The architect was prominent, but most of his monument designs got rejected. That meant starting over each time. However, the Baltimore Washington Monument Society decided to hold a competition, inviting the world to submit plans and ideas.
Rejections Galore
Someone Else Got the Job
The committee chose to hand over the task to another American because immortalizing the first U.S. president was a serious business! Therefore, Robert Mills got the job in 1814. He created a few designs and then settled on the pillar protruding into the sky that you know today.
Someone Else Got The Job
The Winning Design
Robert Mills claimed that the column must possess the simplicity and solidity of character, which was symbolic of Washington. It must also harmonize with the government’s spirit. Could he pull it off?
The Winning Design
Didn’t Have Total Freedom
His plans were constrained a bit. He wanted a lavishly decorated column to give this memorial some pizzazz. There were supposed to be balconies wrapping around it and a terrace on top so that visitors could see things better.
1991 49 3 Washington Monument, Elevation Of Front By Robert Mill
Must Simplify It
Though that was the vision, things didn’t go according to plan. Funding was a huge factor, and others worried about the final appearance. They had to simplify the design, cutting out the balcony and removing the carvings from the surface.
Must Simplify It
George Washington’s Sculpture
That’s how Americans got the unpunctuated and plain pillar with the sculpture of George Washington on top. While an American designer took on the project, Enrico Cuasici, an Italian designer, made the sculpture, which was added in 1829.
George Washington’s Sculpture
The Monumental City
The Washington Monument is a big attraction in Baltimore. Though it had none of the original decorations, people enjoyed it. In fact, the city is known for its structure, and that’s why tourists refer to it as “The Monumental City.”
The Monumental City
National Historic Landmark
The Washington Monument was built outside city limits initially, but that’s no longer true. Baltimore expanded enough for it to sit at the heart. Overall, the significance of this structure got official recognition when it was called a National Historic Landmark in 1971.
National Historic Landmark
Deteriorating Site
However, the National Historic Landmark status didn’t make it immune to damage. It’s about two centuries old. While the surrounding area was fenced off in 2010, it had to be renovated for durability and safety. The project cost about $6 million to complete.
Deteriorating Site
Much Work to Do
It wasn’t easy to restore this beautiful monument to glory. Workers had to tighten joints so that it didn’t fall over. Plus, they had to retouch all the masonry and check the statue, giving it appropriate TLC, too.
Much Work To Do
A Few Upgrades
The lighting, heating, and security systems also got an upgrade. That made a huge impact on the site’s appearance. Though it was built in the 19th century, the structure now has CCTV cameras and alarms all around, which is strange but necessary in today’s world.
A Few Upgrades
Stark Contrast
Various touchscreen devices are found at the bottom of the structure, too. While it seems like a bit much, they are useful because they provide historical information about the site. Plus, the cameras at the top deliver a live feed of the Baltimore view.
Stark Contrast
Even More Problems
The plans were to finish the renovation project by 2014, but the workers couldn’t stay on schedule. Faith Millspaugh is the Mount Vernon Place Conservancy Vice President. She claims it was delayed because they found more problems as they dug into things.
Even More Problems
Completed Just in Time
They finally finished it in mid-2015, right before the 200th anniversary of construction. Millspaugh was thrilled with the results. She claimed it was restored to its original condition, so everything was done correctly for historical projects like that.
Completed Just In Time
Successful Project
It was a success! At the end of the restoration, it looked even better and was more stable and safe. The workers for the project got more than they bargained for. They’re the ones who discovered the cornerstone, which is like a time capsule.
Successful Project
From Long Ago
How old was it? It’s about as old as the structure. The cornerstone got buried after being filled with interesting things so that future generations could find it. The time capsule was laid on July 4, 1815, and about 30,000 people were there. No one has seen it in about 200 years!
From Long Ago
The Importance
The people attending the event knew that they were part of the history being made. Humphries spoke of the significance of Monumental City for the U.S. He said that Baltimore was proud of what it did in the War of 1812 and building the first George Washington monument!
The Importance
Left for Two Centuries
For 200 years, that cornerstone laid in wait. It was finally unearthed from 6 feet below ground, and that was perfect timing, too. Now, they could share the time capsule’s contents for the bicentennial celebration.
Left For Two Centuries
What’s Inside
When the lid was lifted from the cornerstone, there were four glass jars. Each one was stuffed with different things. There were also newspapers dated 1815, which is when construction on the project began. Those who worked on the building in the past wanted to share their lives.
What’s Inside
Not Very Surprising
There was also George Washington’s Portrait in the cornerstone and a copy of one of his earlier presidential speeches. On top of that, there were a few coins and one etched copper plate. Though these items weren’t a complete surprise, they did show what life was like back then.
Not Very Surprising
What They Wanted to Say
The residents who left things in the cornerstone had that plan in mind. Coins and newspapers are typical of time capsules and cornerstones of that time period. These people tried to show Americans what was happening back then.
What They Wanted To Say
The Sculpture
Humphries was also happy to find a small sculpture within the time capsule. He said it was amazing to look inside the cornerstone at those beautifully-carved panels from stonemasons and carvers in 1815. It was a great find!
The Sculpture
Good Condition
The impressive thing was that these items had been well-preserved. Everything in the time capsule looked in good condition. There was some minor water damage, but nothing major was ever found. Plus, the glass jars were the best choice.
Good Condition
Carefully Arranged
These jars were carefully arranged inside to preserve the items. Plus, each one was themed a specific way. One container was solely devoted to George Washington. There was a copy of the speech, his photo, and a medal decorated in his likeness.
Carefully Arranged
What Happened at the Time
One jar seemed to focus on the current events of the time. They had many copies of a newspaper called the Federal Gazette. It was interesting that one came with an article surrounding the cornerstone, with a date of July 6, 1815. One container held a bible from 1812!
What Happened At The Time
The Declaration of Independence
All the jars had something in common because they held the Declaration of Independence. This immediately caught Humphries’ eye. He claimed that the selection of this prominent item adds more meaning to the monument and its significance.
The Declaration Of Independence
Context
Why was this crucial document added to the cornerstone? Humphries says that America’s national independence was fresh in everyone’s mind at the time. They played a big role in securing such freedom in the Battle of Baltimore just a year before.
Context
Not the Only One
History lovers enjoyed the development, and so did the fans of Baltimore and the Washington Monument. However, this isn’t a one-of-a-kind situation. The same site brought another time capsule a few months before that one.
Not The Only One
A Century After
In 2014, another container was found buried 100 years after the first (1915). A bronze plate linked them together, and it commemorated one century passing since the monument was built. This one was also highly patriotic.
A Century After
Francis Scott Key Painting
The second time capsule had general items commemorating the 100th anniversary of the erection of the monument. It held pictures, a Declaration of Independence photo, and a Francis Scott Key painting. He wrote “The Star-Spangled Banner” lyrics.
Francis Scott Key Painting
Two Time Capsules
No one could have imagined that the Washington Monument had two time capsules in it. Humphries wasn’t bothered, though. He claimed that most buildings don’t have two, but the items speak of the symbolic importance and antiquity of the monument and the country’s history.
Two Time Capsules
Different Intentions
The time capsules were made for different purposes. Overall, the first one focused on George Washington and American sovereignty. However, the second one looked at the battles and wars the country had been part of for the last century.
Different Intentions
Poignant Touch
Humphries believes that the older cornerstone is more poignant than the second one. It held copies of the country’s Declaration of Independence. It boggles the mind that something so old could have been preserved for so long.
Poignant Touch
Feel Their Thoughts
Overall, Humphries said he felt what those people were thinking as they put the items in the cornerstone. As he pulled it out, he was amazed. It’s definitely a testament to the hard work the early Americans put in to get where we are today!
Feel Their Thoughts