The Trust for the National Mall aims to create a sense of stewardship and raise much-needed funds to sustainably restore our National Mall. Capitol, the White House and 10 Smithsonian Institution Museums in the heart of America’s capitol city, the National Mall is where the American story lives. The Washington Monument serves as a global beacon for democracy. The Lincoln Memorial is an iconic symb
ol for diversity and unity. The Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial powerfully reminds us of the very human cost of war. And for decades, the weary Mall grounds have served as a national stage for the turning point demonstrations and jubilant celebrations that have defined what it means to be American. The park hosts 29 million visits each year, more than Yellowstone, the Grand Canyon and Yosemite national parks combined. While most people think of the National Mall as it appears in postcards and movies – acres of pristine grounds dotted with perfectly polished memorials – the reality is a far cry from this idea.
- The National Mall is America’s most visited national park and it has no entrance fee. It is only funded through annual federal budgets that cover basic operations – but not major repairs and needed upgrades.
- Today, failed landscapes and aging monuments face serious structural problems – and hundreds of millions of dollars in deferred maintenance.
- Over a year ago, a 5-foot long chunk of stone fell from the Jefferson Memorial and the damaged area remains blocked off to visitors while it awaits repair.
- Missing ceiling tiles mar the breathtaking view inside the Lincoln Memorial.
- Flooded and cracked sidewalks near the war memorials are impassable to visitors in wheel chairs.
- Dead fish float atop a stagnant pond just east of the Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial.
- And the oldest building in the park, which is in the shadow of the Washington Monument, has sat boarded up for nearly 40 years. Together, with your help, we can save the crumbing symbols of democracy and preserve the still-unfolding story of America.
