I was doing some research for a course and came across an interesting piece of information. While there had been many proposals for how to commemorate George Washington in DC before the Washington Monument was built, some of the first suggestions were for a tomb and for his body to be buried there. One of the proposals for the tomb was for a granite pyramid, 100 feet square and 100 feet tall to be constructed where the Washington Monument is today. What if this proposal had gone ahead when it was proposed around 1800? What happens to the pyramid during the War of 1812? Also, would the pyramid have any changes on the architecture of the country?
A Pyramid to Remember Washington?
- Thread starter wilcoxchar
- Start date
Well if it is not done by the time the British land in D.C. I assume they would break it a bit and leave it largely intact. After the war the pyramid is finished and is seen as an image of America rebuilding after the war. Expect to see some large monuments of other famous presidents, generals and other famous Americans.
The pyramid style and the obelisk (the current shape of the Monument) are both based on Egyptian architecture. As the obelisk didn't appear to have much effect on U.S. architecture (beyond masonic temples), neither will the pyramid.
David S Poepoe
Banned
There is Forshay Tower in Minneapolis which was modeled on the Washington Monument and there is a pyramid shaped hotel in Las Vegas, the Blue Pyramid at CSU Long Beach and the Pyramid Arena in Memphis, Tennessee - strangely appropriate.
Well, the reason the Washington Monument didn't have much effect on US architecture was probably because it was built from 1849 to 1884, by which time most of the important government buildings in DC had been built already. If you have a large pyramid in the middle of the District when most of these buildings are being built, you'd probably have an attempt to keep with the already established Egyptian style architecture.
I was also thinking that it might result in a lot more granite structures, maybe with granite taking the role of marble in United States architecture. Possibly some stated reason of it being more 'American' than marble, or the marble of the common man or something like that.