Washington Monument

The Washington Monument is an equestrian statue in Capitol Square showing George Washington on horseback cast in bronze. Six additional bronze figures surround the main statue, honoring notable Virginians from the Revolutionary era.

The cornerstone was laid in 1850 with President Zachary Taylor and former President John Tyler in attendance. This marked one of the early equestrian statues dedicated to George Washington in the country.

The six bronze female figures at the base represent different aspects of American development such as Colonial Times, Finance, Independence, Bill of Rights, and Revolution. They show how Virginians understood their own history and values.

The monument sits in Capitol Square in downtown Richmond and is easy to reach on foot. The site is open to the public and can be visited during daylight hours.

The trowel used for the cornerstone ceremony came from George Washington himself and was the same tool he used in 1793 when laying the cornerstone for the US Capitol. This single implement connects two important moments in American history.

Location: Richmond

Inception: 1849

Architects: Thomas Crawford

Architectural style: Greek Revival architecture

GPS coordinates: 37.53920,-77.43440

Latest update: December 9, 2025 18:42