Celebrating the Restoration of the Columbus Circle Fountain

Grand opening of the Restored Columbus Circle

The Trust for the National Mall was proud to lay the groundwork for the Department of the Interior and National Park Service’s restoration of the majestic fountain at the Christopher Columbus Memorial. The iconic fountain and plaza at Union Station serve as a gateway for visitors arriving in Washington, D.C., and especially for the millions expected to visit during America’s 250th year.

With funding from our partners at the National Park Foundation, the Trust provided critical assessment of damages at the site and helped lead initial planning for the restoration, which cleaned away decades of wear and tear on the white marble facade of the plaza and sculpture and revitalized the Memorial’s central fountain, which has not been operational for nearly two decades.

The Trust worked with Whiting Turner who led the team of collaborative experts to create the damage assessment and planning report based on site visits, research and concept drawings. Fountain contractors, structural engineers, historic preservation experts, and architects came together to assess the fountains and make recommendations for the work required to make the 113 year old fountain work again. The team produced a detailed and thoughtful report which served as a resource to guide the restoration work going forward.

The Trust is proud to support the National Park Service in its efforts to restore, preserve and enrich the National Mall and park sites across our nation’s capital for visitors from everywhere, for America’s 250th and for the future. Learn more at nationalmall250.org

Columbus Circle Fountain before restoration

Ribbon Cutting Ceremony, May 29, 2026