What accounts for the slight difference in color between the base and tip of the Washington Monument?

9:34 AM, Feb 21, 2012   |    comments
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b. mismatched brickwork

The monument was dedicated on Feb. 21, 1885.  Construction began in 1848 and proceeded in phases for more than 30 years.

The project was delayed several times due to lack of money, as well as the Civil War.  Each time construction resumed, the builders bought their bricks from a different quarry with slightly different marble.

The bricks all looked the same at first.  But after years of weathering, the differences in the marble -- including its color -- has become more pronounced.

 

 

 

 

 

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