Alexandria — The designation recognizes the sites as places that possess exceptional value and quality in illustrating or interpreting the heritage of the United States. According to the park service release, “The George Washington Masonic National Memorial stands among the most architecturally significant projects to honor George Washington and one of the boldest private efforts to memorialize him. The Grand Lodges of the states and territories, which usually operate independently, joined forces to build this national memorial. This eclectic building combines neoclassical architecture common to American memorials and civic buildings with a modern skyscraper design.”
The other newly named national historic landmarks are First Peoples Buffalo Jump, Cascade County, Mont.; Lafayette Park, Detroit, Mich.; and Red Rocks Park and Mount Morrison Civilian Conservation Corps Camp, Jefferson County, Colo.