The Washington Monument is reopening after a 2011 earthquake caused $15 million in damage. Cutting the ribbon Monday, May 12, were, from left, National Mall and Memorial Parks Superintendent Robert Vogel; Caroline Cunningham, president of the Trust for the National Mall; David Rubenstein, co-founder and co-CEO of the Carlyle Group; National Park Service Director Jonathan Jarvis; U.S. Interior Secretary Sally Jewell; counselor to President Obama John Podesta; Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton, D-D.C.; and D.C. Mayor Vincent Gray (with unidentified man).
Washington Monument reopens —
The Washington Monument is reopening after a 2011 earthquake caused $15 million in damage. Cutting the ribbon Monday, May 12, were, from left, National Mall and Memorial Parks Superintendent Robert Vogel; Caroline Cunningham, president of the Trust for the National Mall; David Rubenstein, co-founder and co-CEO of the Carlyle Group; National Park Service Director Jonathan Jarvis; U.S. Interior Secretary Sally Jewell; counselor to President Obama John Podesta; Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton, D-D.C.; and D.C. Mayor Vincent Gray (with unidentified man).
Alex Wong/Getty Images
One of Washington's most popular sites, the 555-foot obelisk had been closed since the magnitude-5.8 earthquake on August 23, 2011, caused more than 150 cracks in the structure.
Washington Monument reopens —
One of Washington's most popular sites, the 555-foot obelisk had been closed since the magnitude-5.8 earthquake on August 23, 2011, caused more than 150 cracks in the structure.
KAREN BLEIER/AFP/Getty Images
Steven Avilla wears a Washington Monument costume as he greets visitors.
Washington Monument reopens —
Steven Avilla wears a Washington Monument costume as he greets visitors.
Mark Wilson/Getty Images
Master of ceremonies Al Roker, of NBC's "Today Show," speaks during the ceremony to celebrate the monument's reopening.
Washington Monument reopens —
Master of ceremonies Al Roker, of NBC's "Today Show," speaks during the ceremony to celebrate the monument's reopening.
AP Photo
The ceremony included entertainment from "American Idol" winner Candice Glover, seen here, the Boy and Girl Choristers of Washington National Cathedral Choir, the Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps and the U.S. Navy Band.
Washington Monument reopens —
The ceremony included entertainment from "American Idol" winner Candice Glover, seen here, the Boy and Girl Choristers of Washington National Cathedral Choir, the Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps and the U.S. Navy Band.
AP Photo
David Rubenstein, co-founder and co-CEO of the Carlyle Group, addresses National Park Service Director Jonathan Jarvis and the rest of the crowd. For the restoration project, Congress allocated $7.5 million, and Rubenstein matched those funds with a $7.5 million donation via the Trust for the National Mall.
Washington Monument reopens —
David Rubenstein, co-founder and co-CEO of the Carlyle Group, addresses National Park Service Director Jonathan Jarvis and the rest of the crowd. For the restoration project, Congress allocated $7.5 million, and Rubenstein matched those funds with a $7.5 million donation via the Trust for the National Mall.
Alex Wong/Getty Images
Ticketed public tours were made available at the Washington Monument Lodge on a first-come basis for the reopening.
Washington Monument reopens —
Ticketed public tours were made available at the Washington Monument Lodge on a first-come basis for the reopening.
AP Photo
Re-enactors portraying President George Washington and his wife, Martha, attend the reopening celebrations. Built as a tribute to Washington's military leadership during the American Revolution, construction of the Washington Monument was started in 1848 and completed in 1884.
Washington Monument reopens —
Re-enactors portraying President George Washington and his wife, Martha, attend the reopening celebrations. Built as a tribute to Washington's military leadership during the American Revolution, construction of the Washington Monument was started in 1848 and completed in 1884.
KAREN BLEIER/AFP/Getty Images
The Washington Monument is reflected in tourist Lani Walatka's sunglasses.
Washington Monument reopens —
The Washington Monument is reflected in tourist Lani Walatka's sunglasses.
Mark Wilson/Getty Images
Recent repairs are visible as visiting fifth-graders have lunch in the shade. From left are Jacob Smith-Osborn, Dom Balzano, Jiashu Chen, James Downs and Alex Musshorn.
Washington Monument reopens —
Recent repairs are visible as visiting fifth-graders have lunch in the shade. From left are Jacob Smith-Osborn, Dom Balzano, Jiashu Chen, James Downs and Alex Musshorn.
Mark Wilson/Getty Images
Washington Monument reopens

Story highlights

The monument was forced to close for repairs after a 2011 earthquake

The cost of the $15 million renovation was split between taxpayers and a philanthropist

Summer hours have been extended to allow for more visitors

CNN  — 

Fresh off a $15 million, nearly three-year repair job, the Washington Monument reopened Monday.

One of Washington’s most popular sites, the 555-foot obelisk had been closed since a magnitude-5.8 earthquake in August 2011 caused more than 150 cracks in the structure.

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Updated 2:57 PM EDT, Mon May 12, 2014
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Washington Monument reopening irpt
Washington Monument reopens after quake
03:06 - Source: CNN

The National Park Service and the Trust for the National Mall hosted a reopening ceremony Monday morning. The ceremony included entertainment from “American Idol” winner Candice Glover, the Boy and Girl Choristers of Washington National Cathedral Choir, the Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps and the U.S. Navy Band.

Ticketed public tours will start at 1 p.m. ET, and Monday tickets were made available at the Washington Monument Lodge on a first-come basis. Tickets for tours on future dates have been available since April 16 at the park service’s reservation page, www.recreation.gov. The park service will offer extended operating hours, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., through the end of summer.

“The construction of the Washington Monument began in 1848 when private citizens raised money to build a memorial to honor our nation’s first president,” Interior Secretary Sally Jewell said in an announcement on the park service website.

After years of renovations, the Washington Monument <a target="_blank">is reopening to visitors</a> on Thursday, September 19. The landmark was closed in August 2016 so that repairs could be made to its elevator control system.
After years of renovations, the Washington Monument is reopening to visitors on Thursday, September 19. The landmark was closed in August 2016 so that repairs could be made to its elevator control system.
MANDEL NGAN/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Before the elevator issues, the monument was closed from 2011 to 2014. A magnitude-5.8 earthquake caused extensive damage to the structure, cracking the marble in over 150 places.
Before the elevator issues, the monument was closed from 2011 to 2014. A magnitude-5.8 earthquake caused extensive damage to the structure, cracking the marble in over 150 places.
Mark Wilson/Getty Images
Workers walk on scaffolding around the monument as repairs continue in April 2013.
Workers walk on scaffolding around the monument as repairs continue in April 2013.
NICHOLAS KAMM/AFP/Getty Images
A tourist takes a photo of the Washington Monument — half-covered in scaffolding — in March 2013.
A tourist takes a photo of the Washington Monument — half-covered in scaffolding — in March 2013.
NICHOLAS KAMM/AFP/Getty Images
Barricades are in place to keep people a safe distance from the damaged structure in August 2012.
Barricades are in place to keep people a safe distance from the damaged structure in August 2012.
Mark Wilson/Getty Images
No major injuries were reported after the 2011 earthquake struck about 40 miles northwest of Richmond, Virginia.
No major injuries were reported after the 2011 earthquake struck about 40 miles northwest of Richmond, Virginia.
Contractors began conducting a block-by-block inspection of the monument in September 2011.
Contractors began conducting a block-by-block inspection of the monument in September 2011.
Gordy Kito, left, and Erik Sohn pull in rope for people working on the damaged landmark.
Gordy Kito, left, and Erik Sohn pull in rope for people working on the damaged landmark.
Contractor David Megerie traverses the exterior of the monument.
Contractor David Megerie traverses the exterior of the monument.
A worker descends the length of the monument after the earthquake. Officials said the heaviest damage seemed to be near the top of the structure.
A worker descends the length of the monument after the earthquake. Officials said the heaviest damage seemed to be near the top of the structure.
Repairing the Washington Monument

For the restoration project, Congress allocated $7.5 million, and philanthropist David M. Rubenstein matched those funds with a $7.5 million donation via the Trust for the National Mall.

“This enduring spirit of public-private partnerships has made it possible for visitors to once again enjoy the monument and its unmatched view of Washington, D.C.,” Jewell said.

Built as a tribute to George Washington’s military leadership during the American Revolution, construction of the Washington Monument was started in 1848 and completed in 1884.