The Trust for the National Mall's Top 10 Moments of 2022
The Trust for the National Mall’s Top 10 Moments of 2022
As we reflect on 2022 and the Trust for the National Mall's exciting accomplishments and plans to expand our work with our partners at the National Park Service in 2023, we are grateful to all who support our work to restore, preserve and enrich the National Mall.
Over this past year, the Trust has reached incredible project milestones—including the completion of the new US Park Police Horse Stables and Education Center, the restoration of the Lockkeeper’s House, and the unveiling of the German-American Friendship Garden—and the launch of exciting programs such as our national initiative Beyond Granite. Our volunteers continued to engage with the over 36 million people each year who come to the National Mall to explore, learn and connect with history, democracy, and our nation's past, present and future.
We had a busy year enriching and ensuring the vibrance of America’s Front Yard, and we are looking eagerly towards the work ahead with our partners at the National Park Service in 2023.
We are grateful to all who supported our mission to preserve, enrich and restore this treasured space, and we hope you consider supporting our work to help us elevate the National Mall and its purpose in 2023 and beyond. Our Top 10 Moments of 2022 are below. Scroll to learn about all of the projects and programs we've been building in 2022!
1. The Trust for the National Mall Completes Milestone Project: NEW Horse Stables and Education Center
Throughout 2022, the Trust for the National Mall has seen incredible progress and now completion of its work to build the new U.S. Park Police Horse Stables and Education Center on the National Mall. The new completed facility replaces an inadequate and outdated facility from the 1970's and creates a state-of-the-art sustainable home for the Mounted Unit horses and officers. Coming in 2023, a new education center will welcome the public to learn about the history of the Mounted Unit. Thank you to all who generously supported the project. The new facility will be unveiled and opened to the public during an official ribbon-cutting event in Spring 2023! Watch for details coming soon!
2. Beyond Granite Commissions Six Artists for NEW Exhibits, Performances and Installations on the National Mall
Earlier this month, Beyond Granite officially unveiled the six visionary artists who will create special exhibits, performances and installations that will debut on the National Mall in 2023. The New York Times wrote about the exciting work ahead, and how the Trust for the National Mall will be leading the effort to bring these artists' visions to life on America's Civic Stage. The theme of the inaugural exhibit, Pulling Together, is inspired by Marian Anderson's history-making performance at the Lincoln Memorial, and will feature works from leading contemporary artists responding to a central curatorial prompt: What stories remain untold on the National Mall?
(Photo by AJ Mitchell)
3. Ball for the Mall Returned for the First Time in Three Years with our History, Heroes & Hope Awards
The Trust for the National Mall was honored to host our signature BALL for THE MALL and History, Heroes & Hope Awards on October 4, 2022, at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel and Old Post Office Clock Tower for the first time in three years. Over 400+ guests were present for this monumental evening overlooking the National Mall to celebrate our work with the National Park Service and honor the spirit and ideals that the National Mall represents. We are thrilled to announce the BALL for THE MALL will return this spring on the National Mall, under the grand tent and the stars beneath the monuments on May 10, 2023!
(Photo by Tony Powell)
4. New Life for the Oldest Structure on the National Mall: The Lockkeeper's House Restored by the Trust
The house that once welcomed barges full of goods along the canal that ran through Washington, D.C. now welcomes visitors from across the world to connect with and learn more about the National Mall's past, present and future. The restoration of the Lockkeeper's House was 100% funded by private donations and the Trust managed the execution of the project, including the new immersive exhibit design and the house's overall restoration. The Lockkeeper is currently away for the holidays, but you can visit any time after January 4th on Thursday - Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
(Photo by Stephen Bobb)
5. Uniting to Restore the German-American Friendship Garden Between the White House Ellipse and Washington Monument
The German-American Friendship Garden commemorates 300 years of immigration and friendship between the two nations with vibrant planting beds, shrubs, trees, and the iconic pair of fountains that light up at night and flank and anchor this important space. In April, the Trust unveiled the newly rejuvenated garden by ceremonially turning on the marquee fountains with foreign dignitaries from the German Embassy, government officials and corporate partners!
(Photo by Stephen Bobb)
6. Over 15,000 Volunteer Hours on the National Mall with our Volunteer-in-Parks Program
The Trust was proud to provide training and volunteer opportunities to help the public participate and engage in service projects that support our work with the National Park Service to restore, preserve and enrich the National Mall. The Volunteers-in-Parks (VIP) program, run by the Trust and the National Park Service, mobilizes a diverse community of volunteers who contribute their skills and knowledge to educate visitors and support our work to create a more vibrant and engaging National Mall. Thank you to all who volunteer with us on America's Front Yard!
7. A Grand Washington Tradition: Caring for the Iconic Cherry Trees and Cherry Blossoms on the National Mall
The Trust is honored to support the National Park Service in its work to care for the iconic cherry trees. To ensure this urban forest thrives 365 days a year and blooms each spring, the trees require careful pruning, watering, fertilizing and replacement. Thanks to its generous supporters, the Trust is honored to have helped protect and support 500 of the National Mall's 3,700 cherry trees. The trees are facing the challenges of the changing climate, rising sea level, and damage from increasing foot traffic—they need your help! Adopt a Cherry Tree today to take part in preserving this grand Washington tradition for the next generation!
(Photo by Seth Hoffman)
8. Sunset Music from the U.S. Army Band at the Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial
This fall marked the second anniversary of the opening of the Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial and a growing stream of visitors continue to visit the memorial and honor America's 34th President. The Trust is honored to serve as the partner that supports care and maintenance of the memorial and creates engaging programming to help visitors connect to President Eisenhower's life and legacy. In October, the Trust organized and hosted the 2nd annual Dwight D. Eisenhower commemorative birthday concert before an audience of 200+ guests to celebrate the President and General on his birthday. The U.S. Army Band "Pershing's Own" played a stirring suite of music from the Eisenhower era as the memorial was set aglow with the fading light of sunset.
9. Volunteers Help the Trust "Flip" the Veteran Kiosks on the National Mall
The Trust partnered with Clark Construction, Home Depot and the Home Depot Foundation to repair and restore the interior of two information kiosks at the Korean War Veterans Memorial and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. This project is a meaningful example of the power of public-private partnership and the power of community service and in-kind support for the National Mall. The green-topped information kiosks are staffed by National Mall volunteers, many of whom are veterans themselves, who help families locate the names of loved ones on the memorials built to honor their service. Thank you to the corporate and foundation supporters and to the volunteers who helped the Trust spearhead these important upgrades. The volunteers now have a more functional and efficient workspace!
10. Teaching the Rich History and Sharing Stories Behind America's Civic Stage
The Trust continues to create greater awareness of the National Mall as a symbolic public space that is accessible to all through new and engaging educational enrichment content, opportunities and programming—including onsite and virtual experiences. This year, we hosted several virtual classrooms, including a very popular series on the 100th anniversary of the Lincoln Memorial. This programming, presented in partnership with the National Park Service, featured knowledgeable rangers who brought participants of all ages through the behind-the-scenes stories of the monuments, memorials and the history-making figures who inspired them on the National Mall. As we look ahead to 2023, the Trust is excited to build on this success and look at ways to grow and expand its educational offerings, including civics education. Stay tuned for exciting programs to come!
(Photo by Angela Napili)