Washington Monument Society Contribution Certificate — In a period frame with period glass

Contribution certificate given to donors to the Washington National Monument Society.

This one was presented to Masonic Lodge 96—that’s the Utica lodge, it appears—for their contribution of $10.

The certificate includes vignettes of the proposed Washington Monument with a pantheon and as an obelisk, a medallion portrait of George Washington in the middle, and an illustration of Washington's grave at Mount Vernon.

Includes the printed signatures of Zachary Taylor, President; George Watterston, Secretary; and Elisha Whittlesey, General agent.

It's in a period frame with period glass.  And it was behind this item that I found the pieces of newspaper from, most likely, 1850 that included a small note about one of the most famous escapes from enslavement in the south, that of Ellen and William Craft. I framed that and it's available separately. 

Note that the frame is as it came to us. While I did open it up, clean it out, and then sealed it using conservation methods, I didn't think for a moment of changing the finish of the frame.  However, if the frame isn't to your taste, it will be easy to put the certificate in a new frame. 

Size of frame: 11" x 13"

Shipping: $20. Please allow two weeks for shipping.

Also available:

• Washington National Monument Society fundraising report from 1854, with cover note to Masonic Lodges asking for donations
• Framed, hand-colored steel engraving of the original design of the Washington Monument

Historical background

The Washington National Monument Society was a private organization formed in 1833 to solicit donations and designs for the monument.  These donations came from individuals, organizations, the states, and even foreign countries. This certificate was given to Masonic Lodge 96 for their $10 donation. (Approximately $330 today.)

The fund was successful enough to begin construction in 1848, however construction was stopped in 1854 after the money ran out. During this time the first 156 feet were built. When you visit today you can see where they stopped due to the slight difference in the color of the stone.  

Once halted, work did not resume for more than 20 years. In 1876, perhaps motivated by the Centennial, Congress voted to fund the completion of the monument, and it opened in 1888.