A major renovation of the Lincoln Memorial is in the planning stages/NPS

A sizable expansion of the Lincoln Memorial is being proposed to both rehabilitate existing parts of the memorial as well as provide more interpretive and educational space.

Made possible through an $18.5 million grant from philanthropist David M. Rubenstein, the proposal would add nearly 15,000 square feet of functional space for exhibits, education and research areas, as well as allow visitors to view the cathedral-like space below the memorial known as the undercroft. The alternatives being considered are now available for public review on the project website. Comments are being accepted through Wednesday, March 7.

The National Park Service is hosting a meeting with the project’s consulting parties to discuss the alternatives and effects of the proposed undertaking. The meeting will take place on Wednesday, February 21, from 10 a.m. to noon at the Advisory Council for Historic Preservation conference room on the third floor of the National Building Museum (401 F Street NW, Suite 308). The meeting will be open to the public.

This project is planned to be completed prior to the centennial of the Lincoln Memorial’s dedication in 2022 and will introduce the experience of cathedral-like space below the memorial, known as the undercroft, in order to expand the overall interpretive and educational visitor experience of the site. It will provide a new experience to visitors at one of the most heavily visited sites on the National Mall and allow the National Park Service to tell new and expanded stories related to the memorial and its construction, while respecting the historic character and intended solemnity of the site.

The plans are presented in a draft Environmental Assessment that evaluates three alternatives and examines the environmental impacts of each: a no-action alternative (alternative A), the proposed action and NPS preferred alternative (alternative B), and another action alternative (alternative C): 

• Alternative A would continue the current management of the memorial and would result in continued undesirable impacts on visitor use and experience associated with high visitation. 
• Alternative B would rehabilitate the undercroft to optimize visitor services, improve accessibility, remove the bookstore from the chamber level, and create an interpretive space that highlights expansive views of the undercroft. 
• Alternative C would improve the existing visitor services and NPS operations spaces in the memorial by reconfiguring the restrooms and creating more public space in the exhibit level while retaining the existing retail space and accessibility routes. 

Both action alternatives would result in adverse impacts on the historic structure and potentially the cultural landscapes due to changes to the structure as well as beneficial impacts to visitor use and experience due to the improvements.

How to Comment

The preferred manner for providing comments is via an online form through the National Park Service Planning, Environment, and Public Comment website, used by the agency to manage official correspondence and analyze public comment in the planning process.  From the project website (http://parkplanning.nps.gov/LincolnMemorialRehab), navigate the menu on the left hand side of the page to “Open for Comment,” then open the “Lincoln Memorial Rehabilitation Environmental Assessment Available for Comment” folder. The document will be available for download at the bottom of the page and the green “Comment Now” button will take you to the online form.

Comments may also be submitted in writing to: 

Acting Superintendent Karen Cucurullo

National Mall and Memorial Parks

900 Ohio Drive, SW

Washington, DC 20024

ATTN: Lincoln Memorial Rehab

Comments must be entered into the website or postmarked by March 7 to receive consideration.