We welcome you to explore in greater depth aspects of the National Mall, its history, and challenges to any coherent planning for the future:
- Learn about the unique American significance of the design of the Nation’s Capital
- Examine the 1791 L’Enfant Plan, including L’Enfant’s annotations explaining his design ideas, and the 1901-1902 McMillan Commission Plan
- Read the entire digitized version of the 1902 McMillan Commission report to Congress on “The Improvement of the Park System of the District of Columbia,” which set out a new plan for the Mall and the capital and is the basis of the majestic Mall we know today
- Explore National Mall Coalition research into serious problems that still need to be addressed — including confusion over how we define the Mall, flood threats, and unresolved design elements such as the unfinished Washington Monument grounds — so that we can protect the historic L’Enfant and McMillan legacy and ensure Mall resilience in the 21st century.
- Read about National Mall Coalition exhibitions on Mall history including needs, and opportunities for advancing the legacy of the Mall in the 21st century
- Need to find your way around the National Mall? The Coalition produces a free “Mall and Map Guide.”
- Browse photo galleries illustrating crucial themes such as historical flooding and public use of the open space.
The Mall flooded in 1930. Photo courtesy Library of Congress
