How the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool Nearly Had a Pyramid
Summary
The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool was originally designed with a simple look to highlight reflections and fit with the surrounding monuments, after debates between two architects. President Donald Trump recently changed the pool’s color to bright blue, a move that has caused lawsuits and disagreement among preservation groups.Key Facts
- The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool was designed to be a quiet, reflective water feature aligned with the Lincoln Memorial and Washington Monument.
- Architect Henry Bacon’s simple Greek temple design for the Lincoln Memorial was chosen over more monumental proposals by John Russell Pope.
- The pool’s original dark, neutral color was meant to enhance its reflective surface without standing out visually.
- A grander reflecting pool plan from 1902 was scaled back due to stability and cost concerns.
- President Donald Trump ordered the pool to be repainted a bright blue called “American flag blue.”
- The repainting contract cost about $6.9 million initially, with the total projected cost rising to $13.1 million.
- The contract was awarded without competitive bidding, using an emergency exemption.
- Preservation groups and some others have opposed the color change, leading to legal challenges.
Read the Full Article
This is a fact-based summary from The Actual News. Click below to read the complete story directly from the original source.