Baltimore's 19th-century Washington Monument was the first memorial erected in the United States to honor our nation's first President and Commander-in-Chief. The square base is constructed of marble donated by Gen. Charles Ridgely of Hampton, and is inscribed with Washington's Revolutionary War victories. The monument is surrounded by a martial-looking ornate circular iron fence with Roman fasces and arrows, and topped by a 30-ton statue of Washington.
Inside, displays relate the history of the monument and 228 spiraling steps take visitors to the monument's crown, where four observation windows provide an outstanding view of the city. The monument is open Wednesday-Sunday, as well as the first Thursday of each month.
