After being closed for nearly three years, the Washington Monument will finally reopen to the public in May.
According to DCist, the National Park Service said the rest of the scaffolding will be removed this week in preparation for the official reopening ceremony, which will take place on May 12 at 10 a.m. In a press release, National Park Service director Jonathan B. Jarvis expressed gratitude for the donations that allowed the repairs to happen:
As a treat to guests, the Monument will reopen with extended summer hours: 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. It's been closed since the August 2011 earthquake left it with 150 cracks, and everyone from lifelong city residents to tourists have been eagerly waiting for the scaffolding to come down.
[via DCist]