Lincoln Memorial to Get Major Renovation

The Lincoln Memorial will undergo some of its most extensive renovations to date, the National Park Service said on Monday, including efforts to wash away dirt and debris, repair damage sustained during a 2011 earthquake, and build a substantial space for educational programs under the memorial.

The renovations, which will also involve the restoration of artwork, will open up about 15,000 square feet of space for exhibits, classrooms and other educational purposes. The new exhibits will offer a peek at the foundations of the monument, including long-hidden graffiti left behind by the workers who built the memorial, which first opened to the public in 1922.

The work, which is expected to be completed in 2019, will be funded largely by an $18.5 million contribution from David M. Rubenstein, the billionaire philanthropist, the Park Service said. The memorial will largely remain open during renovations.