Tidal Basin in COntext

Conceived of and moderated by Donald Albrecht and Thomas Mellins, curators of the Tidal Basin Ideas Lab exhibition, and co-hosted by the Trust for the National Mall and the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the Tidal Basin in Context is a new series of conversations about the changing nature of public space and the complexities of its preservation.

Past Events

Past Conversations
The Tidal Basin in Context: Funding the Public Sphere
Apr 21
The Tidal Basin in Context: Funding the Public Sphere

Wednesday, April 21, 5:30pm

Conceived of and moderated by Donald Albrecht and Thomas Mellins, curators of the Tidal Basin Ideas Lab exhibition, this evening program co-hosted by the Trust for the National Mall and the National Trust for Historic Preservation and is the fourth in a series of conversations about the changing nature of public space and the complexities of its preservation. This session will focus on issues of funding and stewarding public space, including interactions between the general public, nonprofit organizations, and government agencies.

The Tidal Basin in Context: Memorials and Controversy
Mar 24
The Tidal Basin in Context: Memorials and Controversy

Wednesday, March 24, 5:30pm

Conceived of and moderated by Donald Albrecht and Thomas Mellins, curators of the Tidal Basin Ideas Lab exhibition, this evening program co-hosted by the Trust for the National Mall and the National Trust for Historic Preservation and is the third in a series of conversations about the changing nature of public space and the complexities of its preservation. This session will focus on issues regarding the Tidal Basin's many memorials—including those to Thomas Jefferson, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, and Martin Luther King, Jr.—and the contested histories they embody.

The Tidal Basin in Context: Planning for Environmental Change
Mar 3
The Tidal Basin in Context: Planning for Environmental Change

Wednesday, March 3, 5:30pm

Conceived of and moderated by Donald Albrecht and Thomas Mellins, curators of the Tidal Basin Ideas Lab exhibition, this evening program co-hosted by the Trust for the National Mall and the National Trust for Historic Preservation and is the second in a series of conversations about the changing nature of public space and the complexities of its preservation. This session will focus on issues of sustainability in light of climate change.

D.C. Mondays: Past, Present and Future of the Tidal Basin
Feb 8
D.C. Mondays: Past, Present and Future of the Tidal Basin

Monday, February 8, 12:00pm

Recently, five design proposals to protect the Tidal Basin from climate change were published for the Tidal Basin Ideas Lab. As designers, historians and Washingtonians look to protect the historic site for future generations, it is also important to examine how it functioned in the past. In this virtual talk, Eduard Krakhmalnikov from the Trust for the National Mall will explore the past, present and future of the Tidal Basin.

This program is presented by The George Washingtion University Museum and the Textile Museum.

The Tidal Basin in Context: Dialogues on Public Space Today
Jan 27
The Tidal Basin in Context: Dialogues on Public Space Today

Wednesday, January 27, 5:30pm

Conceived of and moderated by Donald Albrecht and Thomas Mellins, curators of the Tidal Basin Ideas Lab exhibition, this evening program co-hosted by the Trust for the National Mall and the National Trust for Historic Preservation is the first in a series of conversations about the changing nature of public space and the complexities of its preservation.

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Tidal Basin Ideas Lab

Framed by monuments and historic cherry trees, the National Mall Tidal Basin is one of our nation’s most iconic, significant, and beloved public cultural landscapes and commemorative spaces. A complex, 107-acre public place with remarkable scenic, recreational, and symbolic values, the Tidal Basin is a unique and irreplaceable element of the National Mall in Washington, DC.

The Tidal Basin holds a storied place in the national imagination, but its future is under threat. Without prompt and extensive action, this national treasure will be lost. Crumbling infrastructure and higher tide levels have led to daily flooding, making surrounding sidewalks impassible and endangering the roots of the beloved cherry trees. To solve these problems, the Trust for the National Mall in partnership with the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the National Park Service launched the Tidal Basin Ideas Lab as an urgent call to action.

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Our Projects
Monument Cam
Monument Cam

Thanks to EarthCam's partnership with the Trust for the National Mall and the National Park Service, anyone can experience Washington, D.C. from the top of the Washington Monument!

Monument Cam provides an unobstructed view of some of the National Mall’s most recognized memorials and sites including the WWII Memorial, Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, Lincoln Memorial, Reflecting Pool, and Constitution Gardens.

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.