Washington Monument Commemorative Stones

The Washington Monument Commemorative Stones are two 2-foot by 4-foot blocks of Alabama marble from Gantts Quarry where were carved and sent to the Washington National Monument Society for installation inside the massive obelisk proposed to memorialize President George Washington.

The blocks were prepared in 1849–1850 in response to the Society's resolution that, "its material is intended to be wholly American, and to be of marble and granite brought from each state, that each state may participate in the glory of contributing material as well as in funds to its construction."

One was sent by the State of Alabama at the order of Governor Henry Collier. It was carved with raised block letters reading, "Alabama. A Union of Equality, as adjusted by the Constitution."

The other was donated by the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Ancient Free & Accepted Masons of the State of Alabama. It was inscribed with a dedication dated "Dec. 6 A.L. 5849" (Anno Lucis 5849 as dated from the day God first created light, corresponding to A.D. 1849) and decorated with a masonic emblem.

Both stones were carved by J. M. N. B. Nix & Co. of Wetumpka, Elmore County and displayed at the state penitentiary there before being sent to Washington D.C. via the Port of Mobile. The blocks were received on August 6, 1850 and installed in the Washington Monument. The Alabama block was installed at the 40-foot level, and the Grand Lodge block at the 140-foot level.

References

• Jacob, Judith M. (2005) "The Washington Monument A Technical History and Catalog of the Commemorative Stones" National Park Service, U.S. Department of Interior