What's Under the Lincoln Memorial?

Exclusive tour of the BASEMENT of the Most Visited Site in Washington DC!

The Lincoln Memorial honors our 16th President, Abraham Lincoln and is open 24 hours a day. It's an awesome place to visit!

What are some other places you'd like to see inside of?

Thanks to the Department of the Interior for the access to the memorial!

[williamcampbell]

My dad was the supervisor of the rangers at the Lincoln M. during the 1960s. He gave tours of the basement. They stopped giving tours in 1963, after the air was tested and found to be a health hazard. I think I remember dad telling me the stalactites are formed from the rain seeping through the marble steps.

[TheSouthernSpark]

I remember my trip to the Lincoln Monument. I remember hearing scratches from inside the statue, but the guards said it was just an animal...

[Leinhauser]

"A lot of DC is actually a swamp..." You are very wise my friend.

[boringoldman]

A good rule to follow in the future, is to leave things the way you found them.

[CPCIC]

For many years as part of the NPS Volunteers in Parks (VIP) program, I gave the "Looking Under Looking" tour hundreds of times. The tour is no longer available to the public--too much asbestos--so OSHA shut it down. The undercroft is fascinating but I'm appalled at this guy's behavior down there. It has taken 100 years for those staLACtites (not staLAGtites) to form and this gentleman exhibited great glee in destroying them and teaching his son to do likewise. He took it upon himself to make sure future generations have less to see. On our tours back in the day, visitors were NEVER allowed to touch the graffiti, walls, or cave formations. We had our guests follow the cavers' guidelines: "TAKE nothing but pictures, LEAVE nothing but footprints, and KILL nothing but time." It's nice that you enjoyed yourself, sir, but I firmly hope you never get the opportunity again.

[kitburns]

They are renovating the memorial now and cleaning it up. There will be a museum open to the public in the basement area around 2025. See it again then! The columns and marble is being cleaned now. Looking great!

[youtooyoutoo]

About 50 years ago, my brother and I found the door open, and we wandered around in there, examining the stalactites (some called soda straws because they are hollow), foundation blocks and columns, & park service maintenance equipment stored there.

[bestname]

“A lot of DC is actually a swamp.” Yeah we know.

[jonteske]

During the Bicentennial year ( 1976) they had a glass window on the South Side that you could see inside the basement. I think there had been a recent renovation at the time.

[ScottALanter]

I visited the Lincoln Memorial about 25 years ago and remember remarking to someone next to me, "I wonder if there's a basement under here?" He said, "That's a really good question." Now, I know the answer. This was awesome to watch. Thank you very much for sharing your experience.

[safetyguy]

It would be interesting to see what is under the Brooklyn Bridge. I heard that they found a bomb shelter under the Manhatten side.

[CathieZimmerman]

Awesome!! I got married right above that door by the pillars on the right as you face the memorial. We try to visit often. It was an honor to marry at such a beautiful place!

[growingleo]

YAY I'M EARLY FOR ONCE
Keep up the great content guys!

[montelbonteengar]

Wow!! This was way too to watch vary informative video. Awesome videoi love it and I love it!!

[MookieMerkk]

"I want to preserve for the future generations"

Literally next scene

Destroying stalactites

[cristianzapien]

I love this video so much and I hope you have a good day

[BenMitchell]

Thanks for uploading! I remember being there in '85 and there was a window where we could look into the 'caves'. It wasn't there anymore when I went in 2010.

[radiogoodguy]

Cool! I love behind the scenes. Or, in this case, BELOW the scenes!

[cyi]

I'm from D.C. and I never knew there was a tunnel under Lincoln Memorial.

[haukepowers]

very eye opening !!! cool !!! The old grafitti was really cool...