Beneath the solemn gaze of former President Abraham Lincoln lies a hidden marvel, poised to welcome the public this Thursday. After being shrouded in mystery for a century, this secret underneath the Lincoln Memorial on Washington D.C.’s National Mall is set to be revealed through a captivating video from the US Department of the Interior.
The highlight of this unveiling is the Lincoln Memorial Undercroft, an expansive 15,000-square-foot museum that rests directly beneath the famed monument. This historical treasure trove will be accessible to the public free of charge, though advance reservations are necessary to experience this unique site.
For the past 100 years, the vast chamber beneath the memorial has been empty, structurally resembling a mammoth “two-story shopping mall.” This cavernous space is propped up by an intricate grid of 122 massive concrete pillars, remaining unseen by the public until now.
The ambitious project to reveal this undercroft to the world was made possible through a generous backing of $26 million in federal funds coupled with a significant $48 million contribution from the National Park Foundation. It has been in the pipeline for a decade, with the major construction work commencing in 2023 as noted by Julie Moore, the vice president of communications with the Trust for the National Mall.
Today, beneath the immortalized likeness of the 16th president, visitors will find a striking glass-enclosed exhibit that appears to hover within the massive foundation of the Lincoln Memorial, offering a rare glimpse into a concealed chapter of American history.
The highly anticipated museum features interactive physical displays, multimedia video presentations and a bookstore.
Among the most exciting historical treasures on display are original copies of the Emancipation Proclamation and the 13th Amendment, complete with Lincoln’s signature, according to the Department of the Interior.
Visitors will also get a unique glimpse into the memorial’s construction, featuring historical tools and authentic graffiti left behind by original workers in the 1920s.
Beyond its physical foundations, Moore said, the undercroft tells the story of how the Lincoln Memorial evolved into America’s “civic stage.”
Exhibits highlight the site’s profound role in civil rights history, memorializing historic events like Marian Anderson’s 1939 concert and the March on Washington.
Advance reservations can be made through recreation.gov or by calling 877-444-6777.
Visitors can book up to 30 days in advance, or get walk-up tickets on a first-come, first-served basis daily at 8:45 a.m. local time at the nearby Korean War Veterans Memorial kiosk.