National Mall renovations in the works ahead of America's 250th anniversary
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
The Jefferson Memorial last year. Photo: Andrew Harnik/Getty Images
Several spots around the National Mall are getting glow-ups ahead of the 250th anniversary of America's founding next year.
The big picture: D.C. will go all out for the semiquincentennial (new vocab word alert!), with a lineup of exhibits, events and festivals planned surrounding the July 4 bash.
- Think: Displays of important national documents, including the 19th Amendment; a special National Museum of American History exhibit, with pieces such as Thomas Jefferson's desk; and a month-long celebration hosted by the Smithsonian.
Meanwhile, the National Park Service and the Trust for the National Mall are investing almost half a billion dollars in improvements to the Mall to get it ready for a big HBD.
Here are some of the projects in the works:
National Air and Space Museum: The museum's years-long renovation kicked off in 2018, and the first portion of the refreshed space opened in 2022. The building's exterior is now finished and eight exhibits are open, with five additional exhibition spaces expected to open this summer, says a museum spokesperson.
- Expect more galleries to open in time for the 250th celebration next year — which is also the museum's 50th anniversary.
- Plus: The final design for the Bezos Learning Center is expected to be released this summer, with construction kicking off next year, per a spokesperson.
The Lincoln Memorial: The $69 million upgrade to the memorial includes the addition of a 15,000-square-foot exhibit space under the building, new bathrooms and a bigger bookstore.
- While the memorial is still open to the public, construction will be finished by July 2026.
The Jefferson Memorial: Upgrades to the memorial's restrooms and accessibility ramps were finished last year, and its reimagined exhibit space should be completed by 2026, per a National Park Service (NPS) spokesperson.
- The memorial is still open during the renovations.
The Tidal Basin: The $113 million project — the most expensive NPS has ever designed — will replace 6,800 feet of sinking seawalls along the Tidal Basin and the Potomac and will add larger walkways.
- It's on track to be finished by spring of next year, when new cherry trees will be planted, per NPS.
Constitution Gardens: The park space just off the Reflecting Pool is getting a refresh, with 36 acres of gardens, an upgraded lake, a renovated memorial to the signers of the Declaration of Independence and new gathering spaces.
- Work will kick off this year and is expected to wrap up by late 2026, says a spokesperson for the Trust for the National Mall, which is spearheading the project.
Lafayette Park: While not technically along the Mall, the area in front of the White House will be revamped with updated seating, fountains, sculptures and green space.
- Work will begin this year and should wrap up by 2026, per the Trust spokesperson.