For 100 years, the Lincoln Memorial has been a Washington, D.C., staple — it’s seen by millions of visitors each year.
But what’s been hidden from the public all this time is the undercroft beneath the memorial.
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Now, thanks to a big donation and a huge renovation, the undercroft will be open to the public in 2026.
“There are 122 concrete pilings, 40 to 50 feet tall, that the memorial was built on. This project is going to let visitors get a view of the area,” said Mike Litterst, a National Park Service spokesman.
The cavernous area beneath the monument is being turned into a museum.
“We will talk about the construction of the Lincoln Memorial and how its meaning has changed over time,” Litterst said.
The undercroft will be transformed into a 15,000-foot exhibit space — featuring floor-to-ceiling glass walls and a theater where visitors can learn about prominent figures who have shaped the memorial’s history.
“The Lincoln Memorial, more than any of the other sites in Washington, has evolved over time. … It has become the de facto location for national celebrations and the premiere place in America where people go to demonstrate,” Litterst said.
The renovation comes at a big price tag — $69 million. It’s being funded through the federal government and a generous donation from businessman David Rubenstein.
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The project was announced in 2016, but construction began this month.
“There’s been seven years of general interest while we did the designs and planning,” Litterst said. “Now that we’re ready to break ground, we’re hearing from a lot of folks that they will plan their visit back here.”