The National Park Foundation has announced its contribution of more than $43 million to fund construction of an immersive museum beneath the Lincoln Memorial.

The nearly $69 million project will create 15,000 square feet of exhibit space. The public-private partnership project was first announced in 2016 with an $18.5 million gift from businessman and philanthropist David M. Rubenstein. In addition, the National Park Foundation has allocated $38.5 million in gifts from other private donors, including the Glenn W. Bailey, James, and John L. Nau, III foundations as well as Citadel founder and CEO Kenneth C. Griffin. In addition, the National Park Service has invested more than $26 million toward the project.

New museum exhibits and multimedia presentations will highlight the construction history of the memorial and discuss how the memorial has become the nation’s foremost backdrop for civil rights demonstrations.

“The undercroft of the Lincoln Memorial, long hidden from public view, offers a fascinating setting to learn more about America’s 16th president and the memorial that honors him,” said National Mall and Memorial Parks superintendent Jeff Reinbold. “Thanks to the National Park Foundation and their generous donors, visitors will be able to view this dramatic architectural feature and learn about the how the memorial was built and how its meaning has evolved over the last century.” 

(Photo credit: Getty Images/Marcio Silva)