The other week I was given a very rare and amazing opportunity to explore and photograph a national treasure. The Washington Monument in Baltimore, Maryland, and got to see the underground vaults and see George’s stunning panoramic view of the city. Construction began on July 4th 1815 and was completed by 1829. Closed off to the public three years ago, scaffolding went up in January 2014 and renovations have begun on the monument.
While often overshadowed by Washington D.C.’s own Washington Monument, Baltimore’s was the first architectural structure dedicated to George Washington in the country.
The interior is crumbling and water damage and erosion has taken it’s toll over the years. Recently while monument restoration crews were working on removing plaster in the underground vaults, some 19th century graffiti was uncovered for the first time. names, drawings and scribbles from circa 1820-1829 from presumably construction workers of the time.
The grand re-opening of the monument is scheduled to take place on July 4th 2015, the bicentennial of its original construction.

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Washington Monument Restoration by Filth City, on Flickr

The former museum floor, statues and busts have been removed for restoration.

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Washington Monument Restoration by Filth City, on Flickr

Underground vaults. Never opened to the public.

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Washington Monument Restoration by Filth City, on Flickr

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Washington Monument Restoration by Filth City, on Flickr

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Washington Monument Restoration by Filth City, on Flickr

Recently discovered graffiti from nearly 200 years ago.

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Washington Monument Restoration by Filth City, on Flickr

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Washington Monument Restoration by Filth City, on Flickr

Good to see dicks were just as funny and immature back then.

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Washington Monument Restoration by Filth City, on Flickr

Going up.

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Washington Monument Restoration by Filth City, on Flickr

view looking north. and a fantastic view of the Mount Vernon Place United Methodist. which sits on the site of a mansion where Francis Scott Key died. The author of The Star Spangled Banner, America's National Anthem. The rose window was modeled after the Notre Dame in Paris.

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Washington Monument Restoration by Filth City, on Flickr

George Upclose

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Washington Monument Restoration by Filth City, on Flickr

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Washington Monument Restoration by Filth City, on Flickr

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Washington Monument Restoration by Filth City, on Flickr

George's stunning view of Downtown Baltimore that has changed drastically over the years.



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Washington Monument Restoration by Filth City, on Flickr

current scaffolding around the Monument.

awesome man, very cool opportunity.

I saw these on Tumblr!

Awesome work!

What a sweet opportunity, and that's hilarious that they found a graffiti dick from the 1800's hahaha. Thanks so much for sharing!

very cool

Awesome photos, what a fortunate opportunity.

Awesome history! Guess dick graffiti is eternal

noice

Awesome! The graffiti is an epic win!

Posted by Amishdelight What a sweet opportunity, and that's hilarious that they found a graffiti dick from the 1800's hahaha. Thanks so much for sharing!

thanks man, haha. yeah some guy on flickr said it may have been the ancestors of people who spray painted henryton.

A+ shit right here

that's awesome!

Beautiful!

7 makes me incredibly happy.

nice work brotha.