This past Thursday night, festive crowds gathered on the cobblestones at Mount Vernon Place to celebrate the annual lighting of Baltimore’s Washington Monument.  The statue of George Washington looked regal as ever, perched atop his marble column amidst the colored lights and fireworks, but the venerable structure has suffered nearly two hundred years of wear and tear.  The truth is, it could use a makeover, and, as Aaron Henkin reports, it’s about to get one.

For more info on the restoration project, check out the Mount Vernon Place Conservancy