The Nation’s First Washington Monument
Baltimore's iconic tribute to George Washington is America’s first public monument erected in honor of the beloved founding father. Begun on July 4, 1815, it was completed in 1829. Standing at 178 feet tall, Baltimore’s monument is crowned with a statue of George Washington shown at the moment he resigned as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army. The statue faces Annapolis with Washington’s commission in his outstretched hand.

In depicting this specific act from Washington’s lifetime of achievement, the creators of this monument affirmed the historical significance of his resignation, and the peaceful transfer of power that occurred after the Revolutionary War.  

Completely restored in 2014, this monument was designed by Robert Mills, who later designed the Washington Monument in the nation’s capital.