Visitors Get Peek at Redone Monument

The nation’s capital offered a preview of the $10-million restoration of the Washington Monument. Along with panoramic views of the capital, a few privileged visitors inside the 555-foot monument saw a new floor and glass protection from graffiti at the 500-foot level, the highest reachable point for the public. The level just below includes a new set of interpretive exhibits. The restoration consists largely of repairing the massive outside stones and repointing the mortar between them. Closed for three years, the nation’s most famous obelisk is due to reopen to the public July 31 and close again in December. The work should be done by February.