About the building George Washington Masonic National Memorial

the memorial @ sunset on july 30, 2011.

the george washington masonic national memorial neoclassical in style. portions of building in greek revival , romanesque revival styles. columns form portico, in first floor assembly hall , second floor main hall, , on first tier of tower doric. however, columns on second tier of tower ionic, , columns on third tier of tower corinthian.

the memorial consists of 9 floors. first (or ground ) floor appears, outside, part of foundation. in center of first floor grand masonic hall. grand masonic hall features 8 large green granite columns, 4 on each side of hall. grand masonic hall 66 feet (20 m) long, 66 feet (20 m) wide, , 20 feet (6.1 m) high. 12 dioramas commissioned in mid-1960s located in hall. @ western end of hall short steps lead alcove in bronze bust of george washington placed in 2008. semicircular alcove surrounding bust contains murals depicting masonic events in life of washington. many years, great seal of united states donated president truman memorial in 1948 displayed in hall, removed in late 1990s. large, medium, , small meeting rooms on north , south sides of grand masonic hall. 3 rooms on north side contain exhibits document history , activities of shriners. many of models in these rooms depict shriner charities, , 1 model miniature mechanical version of shriners parade. medium-sized room on memorial s southwest corner contains exhibit freemasonry in general. medium-sized meeting room (the george washington room) , large-sized meeting room (the andrew jackson room) on south side closed public can rented meeting space.

a portion of 1 of murals in cryptic masonry room on seventh floor.

the second (or main ) floor appears, outside, main level of memorial. parthenon-inspired portico doric columns forms primary entrance memorial. portico supported 8 fluted columns of pink conway granite 5.92 feet (1.80 m) in diameter , 33 feet (10 m) high, each weighing 63 short tons (57 t). bas-relief medallion of washington in profile incorporated pediment above portico 7 feet (2.1 m) across. bronze doors lead way memorial. once inside memorial, left alexandria-washington lodge no. 22 replica lodge room, faithfully duplicates of lodge room @ time washington presided on lodge. room contains several items belonged washington historic items (such furniture) alexandria-washington lodge. behind master mason s chair in room william joseph williams portrait of washington in masonic garb. along south side of floor south lodge room, replicates neoclassical of alexandria-washington lodge when located in alexandria city courthouse. room used meetings of alexandria-washington lodge no. 22 other masonic lodges wish use meetings while visiting memorial.

the main feature of second floor memorial hall, 100 feet (30 m) long, 66 feet (20 m) wide, , 51 feet (16 m) high. 8 green granite columns (four on each side) support roof of memorial hall. each column 38.5 feet (11.7 m) high, 4 feet (1.2 m) wide @ base, , weighs 63 short tons (57 t). on western end of hall 17 feet (5.2 m) high bronze statue of washington in masonic regalia. weighs 7 short tons (6.4 t). floor composed of tennessee marble in geometric design, , walls of missouri marble. in corners of memorial hall 4 8-foot (2.4 m) high bronze lamps, donated order of eastern star (a masonic social organization composed of women). on north , south sides of memorial hall murals allyn cox depicting washington attending service @ christ church, alexandria , of washington (in masonic garb) laying cornerstone of u.s. capitol building. murals photographed in entirety first time in 2000.

behind memorial hall west semicircular memorial theater, designed seat 1,000. (after being reconfigured, seats 358 today.) memorial theater features fan-shaped ceiling , 16 st. genevieve marble columns around perimeter. around mezzanine 14 bronze bas-relief portraits of presidents of united states freemasons. behind stage portrait of washington donated rep. sol bloom. in balcony in theater s eastern end moller organ donated grand lodge of new jersey. on north side on first floor north lodge room. open-beam arched ceiling marks room, in half-timbered style , has balconies on 3 sides , stage in front. meeting room of andrew jackson lodge no. 120, other masonic lodges wish use meetings while visiting memorial.

the altar in chapel in knights templar room on memorial s eighth floor.

the tower contains third through ninth floors. tower divided 4 sections, each smaller in circumference 1 below. there 2 floors in first, second, , third section, 1 floor in fourth section. third floor contains exhibits history, charitable activities, , socializing various masonic bodies engage in. third floor used solely dedicated mystic order of veiled prophets of enchanted realm ( grotto ), , housed organization s archives. beginning in february 2012, third floor renovated contain displays other appendant bodies (although grotto s display in room remains far largest). fourth floor contains george washington museum, maintained funding supreme council of scottish rite of southern , northern jurisdictions of united states. donald de lue bronze statue of washington located in museum, contains many items used or owned washington. fourth floor double height of third floor, mezzanine contains additional exhibits. fifth floor same height third floor, , dedicated exhibits , symbols important royal arch masonry. floor in egyptian revival , ancient hebraic architectural styles. contains replica of ark of covenant (curtains automatically open , close reveal replica visitors). sixth floor contains memorial library. floor double height of fifth floor, , fourth floor contains mezzanine. seventh floor same height third , fifth floors, , dedicated cryptic masonry (the second part of york rite system of masonic degrees). room symbolic replica of legendary crypt beneath temple of solomon secrets , treasures kept. contains murals depict key events mentioned in cryptic initiation rituals (such murder of hiram abiff, architect of solomon s temple). eighth floor same height seventh floor, , contains chapel dedicated knights templar. in french gothic architectural style. fourth , sixth floors, double height of third , fifth floors lacks mezzanine found on fourth , sixth floors. stained glass windows in chapel depict 4 scenes christian bible: jesus healing blind, sermon on mount, crucifixion of jesus, , ascension of jesus heaven. ninth floor same height third, fifth, , seventh floors, , contains both tall cedars room , observation platform. tall cedars of lebanon social group master masons, , room on ninth floor depicts king solomon s throne room , symbols important group. observation platform, rings exterior of ninth floor, accessible room.

the structure capped step pyramid 7 steps. light fixture atop pyramid in shape of double keystone (a shape of symbolic importance freemasons).

the memorial sits on 36 acres (15 ha) of parkland. since gwmnma nonprofit organization, memorial , land not taxed. first , second floors open visitors, visitors required accompanied docent when visiting other floors. tours occur every hour. tours free of memorial s history, fee began charged in 2010.