Monumental Arch at Memorial Circle
Members of the public have the opportunity to provide input on a proposed Monumental Arch at Memorial Circle on the George Washington Memorial Parkway, near Arlington National Cemetery and along the Potomac River.
The location of the proposed Arch will interrupt the highly significant relationship between the Lincoln Memorial, across Arlington Memorial Bridge, to Arlington National Cemetery and Arlington House. One of the most symbolic landscapes in Washington, D.C., the vista was designed to represent the post-Civil War reconciliation of the north and south of the United States.
It is because this viewshed carries so much meaning to the country that the National Trust has raised concerns about the proposed Monumental Arch, whose scale, location, and design will disrupt this important visual and symbolic vista. In addition, the Arch will dwarf the Lincoln Memorial and disrupt the long, open, and uninterrupted viewsheds, overwhelming the entry to Arlington National Cemetery—the hallowed resting place of 400,000 veterans and their families and a powerful reminder of American military sacrifice, selfless service, and national unity, all within sight of the monumental core of the Nation’s Capital.
National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC)
- Monumental Arch project was on the agenda for the June 4 meeting. Materials are available on the NCPC website.
- The meeting recording will be available on the NCPC video page.
U.S. Commission of Fine Arts (CFA)
- The CFA reviewed a concept design proposal for the new Monumental Arch during the May 21 meeting and approved the overall building plans, while deferring their review of certain decorative sculptural elements.
- Materials for this meeting including submitted documents are available on the CFA website.
Resources and Information
- Public Testimony of Carol Quillen Before the National Capital Planning Commission (June 4, 2026)
- Comments Submitted by David Scott Parker, FAIA to NCPC (June 4, 2026)
- Comments Submitted by Carol Quillen on behalf of the National Trust to CFA (May 20, 2026)
- Comments Submitted by Elizabeth Merritt on behalf of the National Trust to CFA (May 21, 2026)
- National Trust Letter Regarding Proposed Monumental Arch at Memorial Circle (April 15, 2026)
- For the People: National Identity Through 5 D.C. Civic Landmarks
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