Lockkeeper’s House is the New Gateway to the National Mall
In 2018, the Trust for the National Mall and its partners and supporters led a transformative and historic preservation project that restored, relocated and rebuilt the Lockkeeper’s House on an expanded and welcoming landscaped plaza on the National Mall — away from the busy traffic on Constitution Avenue. Read about the opening in the Washington Post! On April 23, the Lockkeeper’s House opened to the public featuring brand new innovative exhibits, including an immersive and engaging short film. The house that once welcomed barges full of goods along the canal that ran through the capital city now welcomes visitors from across the world to connect with and learn more about the National Mall’s past, present and future. View the event photos here.
The Trust has a number of exciting projects this spring on America’s Front Yard. Construction of the U.S. Park Police Horse Stables and Education Center continues as a new home for the horses of the mounted unit rises up on the National Mall. You can follow the progress of this project here on #StablesCam. The Trust is continuing to expand its Volunteers-in-Parks (VIP) Docent Program with the National Park Service, bringing its volunteer docents to more sites on the National Mall, including the newly opened Lockkeeper’s House. The month of May will end with the 100th anniversary of the dedication of the Lincoln Memorial on the National Mall. Activities to celebrate the anniversary will take place all month long. You can read more about how the Trust and NPS are celebrating this historic milestone below.
This year’s Cherry Blossom season on the National Mall was particularly memorable, with visitors from around the globe returning in person to see the iconic blooms of the Cherry Trees on the National Mall. The Trust works year-round to help the National Park Service care for the beloved trees that need mulching, pruning, care and feeding in all four seasons. You can support the trees as they face the changing climate and check out our #BloomCam website for an exclusive time lapse of the 2022 Bloom Season!
The Trust is grateful to all who support our work with the National Park Service. Read below for more news and opportunities to get involved on the National Mall. Watch for a special update from the Trust next week about the unveiling of the newly restored German-American Friendship Garden on the National Mall. Happy Spring!
Restored by the Trust, Lockkeeper’s House Opens to Welcome Visitors on the National Mall
On April 20, the Trust was honored to host its key philanthropic supporters, corporate partners and partner organizations for a housewarming and reception to celebrate the opening of the Lockkeeper’s House and its new exhibits. After guests toured the house for a preview of the new immersive video exhibits, guests enjoyed a reception around the corner on the Portico at the Daughters of the American Revolution. Guests gathered overlooking the National Mall for refreshments, camaraderie and to hear updates about the Trust’s work with the National Park Service and future plans to restore and enrich America’s Front Yard.
Built in 1837, the Lockkeeper’s House is the oldest existing structure on the National Mall and a part of our shared American history. The house that once welcomed barges of goods to the nation’s capital now welcomes visitors as a gateway to the National Mall, with an innovative and immersive 6-minute video program, interactive kiosks and a tour of the small but mighty 540-square-foot house. National Park Service planned hours of operation are 11 AM – 3 PM daily. The Lockkeeper’s House is located at the southwest corner of 17th St. and Constitution Ave, NW.
Image credit, above: Stephen Bobb for the Trust for the National Mall