A hidden chamber beneath the Lincoln Memorial is opening to the public. This secret area has been hidden for over a century. The U.S. Department of the Interior announced this new development with a video showcasing new views of the National Mall in Washington, D.C.

The newly revealed Lincoln Memorial Undercroft is a 15,000-square-foot museum. It is situated directly beneath the famous monument. Admission is free with advance reservations.

For 100 years, this space lay vacant, resembling a large shopping mall with 122 concrete pillars. Supported by $26 million in federal funding and $48 million from the National Park Foundation, the project’s planning took a decade, with construction starting in 2023, shared Julie Moore from the Trust for the National Mall.

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The museum includes a glass-enclosed exhibit beneath the statue of President Lincoln. It features interactive displays, multimedia presentations, and a bookstore. Among the historical items on display are original copies of the Emancipation Proclamation and the 13th Amendment, both signed by Lincoln.

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The museum offers insights into the memorial’s construction, displaying historical tools and graffiti from workers in the 1920s. Julie Moore explained that the undercroft tells the story of the Lincoln Memorial’s evolution into a significant civic space.

Exhibits highlight the memorial’s role in civil rights history, including Marian Anderson’s 1939 concert and the 1963 March on Washington. A portrait of Lincoln made of pennies also stands out among the exhibits.

Reservations are available through recreation.gov or by calling 877-444-6777. Visitors can book up to 30 days in advance or opt for walk-up tickets, distributed daily at 8:45 a.m. at the Korean War Veterans Memorial kiosk.