Monumental Conversations

The Trust for the National Mall is pleased to reprise its Monumental Conversations series for 2025. The series dates back to 2021, featuring special collaborations with leaders in arts, history and culture on the National Mall, including the Washington National Opera and the Japan-America Society of Washington D.C.

Upcoming
Notes of Remembrance: Taps Across the National Mall
May 26
Notes of Remembrance: Taps Across the National Mall

At 5 p.m. on Memorial Day, Monday, May 26, Taps will be played in unison at eleven memorials and sites of future memorials that honor those who have made the supreme sacrifice in the service of their country.

Past Conversations

Past Conversations
Monumental Conversations: Rick Atkinson
May 19
Monumental Conversations: Rick Atkinson

The Trust for the National Mall invites you to join us for a conversation with Pulitzer Prize winning writer and author of The Revolution Trilogy Rick Atkinson, the first event in our series of “On the Road to America’s 250th on the National Nall” Monumental Conversations in 2025.

A Monumental Conversation: Elevating Diverse Voices with Washington National Opera
Mar 3
A Monumental Conversation: Elevating Diverse Voices with Washington National Opera

Thursday, March 3, 2022, 5 PM EST

Please join the Trust for the National Mall for a Monumental Conversation featuring Washington National Opera on how we memorialize and commemorate and ways to elevate diverse stories and inclusive voices in the commemorative landscape on the National Mall.

A Monumental Conversation: Up Close with In America: Remember Creator Suzanne Firstenberg
Oct 1
A Monumental Conversation: Up Close with In America: Remember Creator Suzanne Firstenberg

Friday, October 1, 2021, 12:00 PM EDT

The National Mall is a place where America comes together for commemoration, reflection and expression. Please join WUSA9 Evening Anchor Lesli Foster for The Trust for the National Mall's Monumental Conversation featuring artist Suzanne Firstenberg and her work, In America: Remember, the exhibit that currently covers the National Mall with a blanket of 670,000+ white flags in remembrance of lives lost to COVID-19 in the United States.

A Monumental Conversation: Celebrating AAPI Heritage Month - Culture and Beauty on the National Mall
May 17
A Monumental Conversation: Celebrating AAPI Heritage Month - Culture and Beauty on the National Mall

Monday, May 17, 5:00pm EDT

In honor of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, the Trust for the National Mall’s Monumental Conversation will explore the unique influences of Asian culture, people, and nations on the National Mall, including the gift of the cherry trees and the Japanese Lantern.

A Monumental Conversation: "Herstory" on America's Civic Stage - The National Mall
Mar 31
A Monumental Conversation: "Herstory" on America's Civic Stage - The National Mall

Wednesday, March 31, 5:00pm EDT

From chaining themselves to cherry trees to marching for voting rights, America’s Civic Stage – The National Mall – has hosted some of history’s most important moments for American women. Join this distinguished panel discussion as the Trust for the National Mall’s Women’s Leadership Committee hosts this important conversation to share and preserve herstory.

A Monumental Conversation: The Influence of African Americans on the National Mall
Feb 24
A Monumental Conversation: The Influence of African Americans on the National Mall

Wednesday, February 24, 5:00pm

Join us for an engaging conversation with Sheila C. Johnson, Founder and CEO, Salamander Hotels & Resorts, and Vice Chair, Trust for the National Mall, and Harry Johnson, Sr., President and CEO, MLK Jr. Memorial Foundation. This Monumental Conversation will be moderated by Georgette “Gigi” Dixon, Head of External Engagement, Diverse Segments, Representation and Inclusion (DSRI), Wells Fargo.

In this Monumental Conversation, our special guests will discuss the the influential role African Americans have played on the National Mall, throughout history and today.

Our Projects
Lafayette Park
Lafayette Park

Lafayette Park will become a more vibrant and welcoming space connecting visitors to the White House, the city of Washington D.C., and the nation.

One Year Later: Reflections on "In America: Remember” on the National Mall with Artist Suzanne Firstenberg
One Year Later: Reflections on "In America: Remember” on the National Mall with Artist Suzanne Firstenberg

The Trust for the National Mall recently sat down with artist Suzanne Firstenberg to reflect on her powerful and emotional exhibition, “In America: Remember,” one year after its installation on the National Mall. From September 17 to October 3, 2021, over 700 ,000 white flags were planted on the grounds of the Washington Monument, across from the White House ellipse, to memorialize the American lives lost to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Trust for the National Mall Announces a New Partnership with Humana
The Trust for the National Mall Announces a New Partnership with Humana

The Trust for the National Mall, Humana, and the Humana Foundation are partnering to preserve a place where everyone, regardless of background, has the opportunity to connect, be active, and live their healthiest lives.

Thanking our National Park Service partners for cleaning and restoring the Washington Monument
Thanking our National Park Service partners for cleaning and restoring the Washington Monument

The Trust for the National Mall is grateful to our National Park Service partners for their quick work on the Washington Monument clean-up.

The Trust for the National Mall Pays Tribute to Former Director of the National Park Service Mary Bomar
The Trust for the National Mall Pays Tribute to Former Director of the National Park Service Mary Bomar

The Trust for the National Mall pays tribute to former Director of the National Park Service Mary Bomar, who served as head of America’s national parks from 2006 to 2009. Director Bomar played a critical role in the Trust for the National Mall’s mission as the partner of the Park Service working to restore, preserve and enrich the National Mall.

PREVIEW: "March On" Podcast Engages with History on the National Mall
PREVIEW: "March On" Podcast Engages with History on the National Mall

As the Trust for the National Mall looks ahead to the 60th anniversary of the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, the Trust is honored to unveil an exclusive trailer of the upcoming “March On” podcast to commemorate this historic watershed moment in history. The podcast will discuss and explore the National Mall as a stage for civil discourse and protest, while allowing listeners to “stand in the footsteps” of the leaders of some of the most historic moments on the National Mall, including Dr. King.

Excerpt from March On: Walking in the Footsteps of the March on Washington
Excerpt from March On: Walking in the Footsteps of the March on Washington

To mark the October 21, 2021 celebration of the 10-year anniversary of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, the Trust for the National Mall is proud to share exclusive content featuring the King family in intimate conversation about Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr's life and legacy. The conversation, recorded during the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, includes Martin Luther King III, his wife Arndrea Waters King and their daughter, Yolanda Renee King, who was 5-years old at the time.

Volunteers-In-Parks
Volunteers-In-Parks

The VIP program empowers a diverse community of volunteers to contribute their skills and knowledge through rewarding, engaging, and mutually beneficial experiences in support of the shared mission of the National Park Service and the Trust for the National Mall to restore and enhance the beauty, usefulness and sustainability of the National Mall.

Days of Service
Days of Service

The Trust organizes hands-on group volunteer opportunities with the National Park Service to help beautify the National Mall, particularly in advance of critical visitor months.

Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial Maintenance Fund
Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial Maintenance Fund

In order to maintain the new memorial, the Eisenhower Memorial Commission, the National Park Service and the Trust for the National Mall have partnered to start a fund for long term maintenance and support, managed by the Trust. Supporters of the memorial are encouraged to make contributions to help preserve this important addition to the National Mall perimeter.