National Mall and Memorial Parks - Major Restorations 2020

Scaffolding surrounds the Thomas Jefferson Memorial, as a major restoration of the site continues.

NPS

Park partners invested over $9 million in 2020 to restore memorials, historic structures, and parklands. A major restoration project at the Thomas Jefferson Memorial was funded, in part, by park partners. White marble features at the Jefferson, including the highly visible dome, were covered with a dark, disfiguring growth called biofilm. First noticed in 2006, biofilm is a microbial community of algae, fungi and bacteria that increasingly disfigured the surface of the stone. It was removed using a combination of steam cleaning and specialized lasers and now gleams white once again. The National Park Service also partnered with the Kennedy Center to support a new pedestrian bridge that safely connects visitors to both the National Mall and Rock Creek Park Multiuse Trail.

Left image
Discoloration covers the dome of the Thomas Jefferson Memorial.
Credit: NPS

Right image
An extensive restoration of the Thomas Jefferson Memorial returned the iconic white color to the dome of the memorial.
Credit: NPS

Trust for the National Mall

The Trust for the National Mall began a major restoration of the U.S. Park Police horse stables located on the Mall near the World War II Memorial. Look for completion of the stables and opening of a new education center in 2022.

Partners - National Mall and Memorial Parks

Preservation and Beautification
Programming
Ceremonies and Commemorations
Volunteers-In-Parks
Collaborations
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