Washington is witnessing a remarkable construction endeavor beneath the Lincoln Memorial. Since March 2023, hard hats and safety vests have been a must for those eager to catch a glimpse of this massive project. In approximately seven months, visitors will have the unique opportunity to descend below the surface for the very first time.

Unveiling the Iconic Story

Each step in this construction journey holds a story that leads to the 19-foot-tall statue honoring the 16th president. Mike Litterst, the spokesperson for the National Park Service, emphasizes that over the past 100 years, this place has taken on new significance as a crucial site for exercising the first amendment rights.The Lincoln Memorial serves as a backdrop of history, but to truly understand the full story, one must venture 40 feet below the 120-ton statue. Sam Meyerhoff, the senior project manager of the expanded exhibit space, uses a laser pointer to highlight the reinforced concrete beams where Abe is sitting.The dark and dusty subterranean room is in the midst of a transformation, with a theater, new exhibits, and a gift shop being added to the 15,000 square feet of cavernous space. It's a significant undertaking to complete the project in time for the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Lise Aangeenbrug, the chief program officer of the National Park Foundation, explains that $43 million of the $69 million total project cost came from private donations.To accommodate visitors, new access points were constructed using about 400 tons of galvanized rebar. Not everything is getting a new upgrade, though. Visitors will be able to see parts of the undercroft as it was left in 1922, essentially untouched.Many problem areas are being addressed before visitors arrive. Meyerhoff points out that water infiltration over the course of 110 years has caused issues that are now being fixed, with construction workers waterproofing the walls and sealing leaks.When asked if any Washington secrets were uncovered during the project, Meyerhoff humorously replies that they haven't found any fun artifacts yet.The project is on track to be ready by July 2026, promising an unforgettable experience for visitors.