WASHINGTON — Philanthropist David Rubenstein has donated $18.5 million for renovation of the 84-year-old Lincoln Memorial.
The gift, which will be administered by the nonprofit National Park Foundation, will be used to repair damaged brick and marble, build 15,000 square feet of additional display space, add an elevator, repair the roof, restore the interior murals and clean the memorial.
Often overlooked, the 60-foot wide and 12-foot tall murals feature stylized allegories illustrating themes of Lincoln’s life.
The renovation will also open the memorial’s foundational pillars to the public, allowing visitors to see graffiti left by the workers who built the monument.
The monument will remain open during the four years it is expected to take to complete the renovation.
