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Lincoln Memorial Rehabilitation
National Mall and Memorial Parks » Lincoln Memorial Rehabilitation » Document List
The Lincoln Memorial is a legislated unit of the NPS that is part of the National Mall and Memorial Parks (NAMA). It commemorates one of the most venerated presidents in American history. Designed by architect Henry Bacon (1866-1924) and constructed between 1914 and 1922, the memorial takes the form of a Greek temple and features a portrait sculpture of the Great Emancipator by Daniel Chester French. The purpose of this project is to provide The purpose of this project is to rehabilitate the Lincoln Memorial for its centennial in 2022. This project will include the rehabilitation of the undercroft portion of the Lincoln Memorial and improving existing visitor services on the mezzanine level, including expanded restrooms, improved accessibility, expanded visitor interpretation spaces, and expanded NPS support and service spaces. Specifically, this project will do the following:
• New Underground Spaces. The museum store will be relocated from the chamber to lower level, providing for expanded retail sales space and storage, as well as providing additional space for visitors in the memorial chamber. The restroom facilities will be expanded to include a separate family restroom. A second elevator will be added and the existing elevator to the memorial chamber will be improved. The work area for U.S. Park Police and National Park Service staff, including office space and research area will be relocated, allowing for proper management of the memorial while restoring the contemplative nature of the memorial chamber. Finally, new storage areas, service areas for mechanical systems will be constructed.
• Exterior Work. Exterior work will include gently cleaning of the exterior of the memorial and making repairs to the brick masonry and marble mortar joints. The Jules Guérin murals located on the north and south interior walls will also be cleaned. Other improvements will involve installing anchors around the perimeter of the low roof of the Lincoln Memorial to brace the unreinforced masonry wall to prevent movement. Finally, the cultural landscape will be rehabilitated and will involve reestablishing plantings that have been lost over time and restoring the turf around the stylobate. The roof will also be replaced, but will be completed as a separate project.
• Visitor Services. In an effort to improve visitor experience, this project will create approximately 15,000 square feet of public space beneath the memorial to offer dynamic opportunities for state-of-the-art educational exhibits and classrooms. New interpretative exhibits and media will advance visitor understanding of Abraham Lincoln, the memorial's construction, and urban planning in the nation's capital. Finally, allowing access to the undercroft will provide visitors with the opportunity to view the foundations that anchor the memorial to the bedrock and see the graffiti of the construction workers who built it in the early 20th century.
In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), the NPS will prepare an Environmental Assessment (EA) to identify alternatives and analyze impacts potentially resulting from the rehabilitation of the Lincoln Memorial. Concurrent to the NEPA process, the NPS and the Commission will conduct consultation under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (NHPA). The NPS plans to consult with the public per 36 CFR 800.3(e) by holding public informational meetings and through its Planning, Environment, and Public Comment website.
• New Underground Spaces. The museum store will be relocated from the chamber to lower level, providing for expanded retail sales space and storage, as well as providing additional space for visitors in the memorial chamber. The restroom facilities will be expanded to include a separate family restroom. A second elevator will be added and the existing elevator to the memorial chamber will be improved. The work area for U.S. Park Police and National Park Service staff, including office space and research area will be relocated, allowing for proper management of the memorial while restoring the contemplative nature of the memorial chamber. Finally, new storage areas, service areas for mechanical systems will be constructed.
• Exterior Work. Exterior work will include gently cleaning of the exterior of the memorial and making repairs to the brick masonry and marble mortar joints. The Jules Guérin murals located on the north and south interior walls will also be cleaned. Other improvements will involve installing anchors around the perimeter of the low roof of the Lincoln Memorial to brace the unreinforced masonry wall to prevent movement. Finally, the cultural landscape will be rehabilitated and will involve reestablishing plantings that have been lost over time and restoring the turf around the stylobate. The roof will also be replaced, but will be completed as a separate project.
• Visitor Services. In an effort to improve visitor experience, this project will create approximately 15,000 square feet of public space beneath the memorial to offer dynamic opportunities for state-of-the-art educational exhibits and classrooms. New interpretative exhibits and media will advance visitor understanding of Abraham Lincoln, the memorial's construction, and urban planning in the nation's capital. Finally, allowing access to the undercroft will provide visitors with the opportunity to view the foundations that anchor the memorial to the bedrock and see the graffiti of the construction workers who built it in the early 20th century.
In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), the NPS will prepare an Environmental Assessment (EA) to identify alternatives and analyze impacts potentially resulting from the rehabilitation of the Lincoln Memorial. Concurrent to the NEPA process, the NPS and the Commission will conduct consultation under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (NHPA). The NPS plans to consult with the public per 36 CFR 800.3(e) by holding public informational meetings and through its Planning, Environment, and Public Comment website.