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Vandalized Lincoln Memorial Reopens After Green Paint Is Washed Away (PHOTOS)

Lincoln Memorial Reopens After Vandalism
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By BRETT ZONGKER, The Associated Press

WASHINGTON -- Someone splattered green paint on the Lincoln Memorial early Friday, but the statue of the 16th president was reopened by nightfall after the paint was washed away.

The apparent vandalism was discovered around 1:30 a.m. Friday on the statue, the pedestal and the floor, U.S. Park Police said. No words, letters or symbols were visible in the paint.

The marble Lincoln statue had green paint on its shin, coattail, chair and base, as well as paint on the floor of the memorial building.

Capt. Steven Booker said the paint spill "appears intentional based off of the splatter." Police were reviewing security camera footage to try to identify possible suspects, he said.

No suspects had been identified by Friday afternoon. Police officials said they would not release the security footage because the investigation is ongoing.

The memorial chamber was closed all day to allow a National Park Service crew to finish cleaning up the paint. Workers spent hours using pressurized hoses and a chemical paint remover to try to wash away the paint.

National Park Service spokeswoman Carol Johnson said the memorial will be returned to the condition it was in before the vandalism. She said the work was going well by late Friday.

"It is not permanent damage," she said. "Our historic preservation crew knows exactly what they need to do."

The memorial, one of the most popular sites on the National Mall, was dedicated in 1922 to President Abraham Lincoln. The building was designed by Henry Bacon, and Daniel French sculpted the statue of Lincoln. It sits at the opposite end of the National Mall from the Capitol, facing the Washington Monument.

The memorial has served as a symbol of equality and reunification after the Civil War. It was the site of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.'s March on Washington 50 years ago, along with other historic moments.

The Lincoln Memorial is generally open around the clock to visitors. Park rangers leave their posts about 10 p.m. and return about 9 a.m. daily. U.S. Park Police, however, maintain 24-hour patrols at the memorial, said Lt. Pamela Smith.

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Lincoln Memorial: http://www.nps.gov/linc

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Before You Go

Lincoln Memorial Vandalized With Green Paint
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Workers with the National Park Service clean off paint thrown on the Lincoln Memorial overnight by vandals on the National Mall in Washington, DC, July 26, 2013. Criminal investigators are looking into the incident, including reviewing footage from security cameras, Steven Booker, a spokesman for the US Park Police said. AFP PHOTO / Saul LOEB (Photo credit should read SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(02 of29)
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WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 26: U.S. National Park Service employees use a variety of tools, including razor blades, plastic paint scrapers, sponges, solvents and a pressure washer, to clean the Lincoln Memorial after it was vandalized with a splatter of green paint July 26, 2013 in Washington, DC. The paint, which has no writings or symbols, was discovered around 1:30 a.m. on the statue of the 16th president, which was dedicated in 1922 and is one of the most popular sites on the National Mall. The memorial will remain closed until the paint can be removed. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(03 of29)
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WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 26: A splatter of green paint covers a large area on the statue of President Abraham Lincoln after it was vandalized at the Lincoln Memorial July 26, 2013 in Washington, DC. The paint, which has no writings or symbols, was discovered around 1:30 a.m. on the statue of the 16th president, which was dedicated in 1922 and is one of the most popular sites on the National Mall. The memorial will remain closed until the paint can be removed. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(04 of29)
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Workers with the National Park Service cleans off paint thrown on the Lincoln Memorial overnight by vandals on the National Mall in Washington, DC, July 26, 2013. Criminal investigators are looking into the incident, including reviewing footage from security cameras, Steven Booker, a spokesman for the US Park Police said. AFP PHOTO / Saul LOEB (Photo credit should read SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(05 of29)
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Workers with the National Park Service cleans off paint thrown on the Lincoln Memorial overnight by vandals on the National Mall in Washington, DC, July 26, 2013. Criminal investigators are looking into the incident, including reviewing footage from security cameras, Steven Booker, a spokesman for the US Park Police said. AFP PHOTO / Saul LOEB (Photo credit should read SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(06 of29)
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A worker with the National Park Service cleans off paint thrown on the Lincoln Memorial overnight by vandals on the National Mall in Washington, DC, July 26, 2013. Criminal investigators are looking into the incident, including reviewing footage from security cameras, Steven Booker, a spokesman for the US Park Police said. AFP PHOTO / Saul LOEB (Photo credit should read SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(07 of29)
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WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 26: U.S. National Park Service employees use a pressure washer to clean the Lincoln Memorial after it was vandalized with a splatter of green paint July 26, 2013 in Washington, DC. The paint, which has no writings or symbols, was discovered around 1:30 a.m. on the statue of the 16th president, which was dedicated in 1922 and is one of the most popular sites on the National Mall. The memorial will remain closed until the paint can be removed. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(08 of29)
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The Lincoln Memorial is covered in green paint on the National Mall in Washington, DC, July 26, 2013. The splatter on the landmark larger-than-life statue of Abraham Lincoln was discovered overnight, said Captain Steven Booker, a spokesman for the US Park Police. Criminal investigators are looking into the incident, including reviewing footage from security cameras, he said. AFP PHOTO / Saul LOEB (Photo credit should read SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(09 of29)
Open Image Modal
The Lincoln Memorial is covered in green paint on the National Mall in Washington, DC, July 26, 2013. The splatter on the landmark larger-than-life statue of Abraham Lincoln was discovered overnight, said Captain Steven Booker, a spokesman for the US Park Police. Criminal investigators are looking into the incident, including reviewing footage from security cameras, he said. AFP PHOTO / Saul LOEB (Photo credit should read SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(10 of29)
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WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 26: U.S. National Park Service employees use a variety of tools, including razor blades, plastic paint scrapers, sponges, solvents and a pressure washer, to clean the Lincoln Memorial after it was vandalized with a splatter of green paint July 26, 2013 in Washington, DC. The paint, which has no writings or symbols, was discovered around 1:30 a.m. on the statue of the 16th president, which was dedicated in 1922 and is one of the most popular sites on the National Mall. The memorial will remain closed until the paint can be removed. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(11 of29)
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WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 26: U.S. National Park Service employees use a variety of tools, including razor blades, plastic paint scrapers, sponges, solvents and a pressure washer, to clean the Lincoln Memorial after it was vandalized with a splatter of green paint July 26, 2013 in Washington, DC. The paint, which has no writings or symbols, was discovered around 1:30 a.m. on the statue of the 16th president, which was dedicated in 1922 and is one of the most popular sites on the National Mall. The memorial will remain closed until the paint can be removed. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(12 of29)
Open Image Modal
WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 26: A splatter of green paint covers a large area on the statue of President Abraham Lincoln after it was vandalized at the Lincoln Memorial July 26, 2013 in Washington, DC. The paint, which has no writings or symbols, was discovered around 1:30 a.m. on the statue of the 16th president, which was dedicated in 1922 and is one of the most popular sites on the National Mall. The memorial will remain closed until the paint can be removed. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(13 of29)
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A U.S. Park Police officer stands guard next to the statue of Abraham Lincoln at the memorial in Washington, Friday, July 26, 2013, after the memorial was closed to visitors after someone splattered green paint on the statue and the floor area. Police say the apparent vandalism was discovered early Friday morning. No words, letters or symbols were visible in the paint. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) (credit:AP)
(14 of29)
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U.S. Park Police close off the Lincoln Memorial to visitors after someone splattered green paint on the statue and the floor area, in Washington, Friday, July 26, 2013. Police say the apparent vandalism was discovered early Friday morning. No words, letters or symbols were visible in the paint. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) (credit:AP)
(15 of29)
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U.S. Park Police close off the Lincoln Memorial to visitors after someone splattered green paint on the statue and the floor area, in Washington, Friday, July 26, 2013. Police say the apparent vandalism was discovered early Friday morning. No words, letters or symbols were visible in the paint. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) (credit:AP)
(16 of29)
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A U.S. Park Police officer stands guard next to the statue of Abraham Lincoln at the memorial in Washington, Friday, July 26, 2013, after the memorial was closed to visitors after someone splattered green paint on the statue and the floor area. Police say the apparent vandalism was discovered early Friday morning. No words, letters or symbols were visible in the paint. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) (credit:AP)
(17 of29)
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Splattered green paint is seen on the right shoe area of the Abraham Lincoln statue at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, Friday, July 26, 2013. Police say the apparent vandalism was discovered early Friday morning. No words, letters or symbols were visible in the paint. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) (credit:AP)
(18 of29)
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This handout photo provided by the National Park Service shows green paint splatter on the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, Friday, July 26, 2013. The Lincoln Memorial was temporarily closed Friday after someone splattered a splash of green paint on the statue. The apparent vandalism was discovered around 1:30 a.m. Friday on the statue, the pedestal and the floor, U.S. Park Police said. No words, letters or symbols were visible in the paint. (AP Photo/National Park Service) (credit:AP)
(19 of29)
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Splattered green paint is seen on the right shoe area of the Abraham Lincoln statue at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, Friday, July 26, 2013. Police say the apparent vandalism was discovered early Friday morning. No words, letters or symbols were visible in the paint. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) (credit:AP)
(20 of29)
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National Park Service workers clean the statue of Abraham Lincoln at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, Friday, July 26, 2013, after someone splattered green paint on the statue of the 16th president and the floor area. Police say the apparent vandalism was discovered early Friday morning with no words, letters or symbols were visible in the paint. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) (credit:AP)
(21 of29)
Open Image Modal
National Park Service workers clean the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, Friday, July 26, 2013, after someone splattered green paint on the statue of the 16th president and the floor area. Police say the apparent vandalism was discovered early Friday morning with no words, letters or symbols were visible in the paint. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) (credit:AP)
(22 of29)
Open Image Modal
National Park Service workers clean the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, Friday, July 26, 2013, after someone splattered green paint on the statue of the 16th president and the floor area. Police say the apparent vandalism was discovered early Friday morning with no words, letters or symbols were visible in the paint. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) (credit:AP)
(23 of29)
Open Image Modal
National Park Service workers clean the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, Friday, July 26, 2013, after someone splattered green paint on the statue of the 16th president and the floor area. Police say the apparent vandalism was discovered early Friday morning with no words, letters or symbols were visible in the paint. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) (credit:AP)
(24 of29)
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Green paint is splattered on the base of the statue of Abraham Lincoln at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, Friday, July 26, 2013. Police say the apparent vandalism was discovered early Friday morning with no words, letters or symbols visible in the paint. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) (credit:AP)
(25 of29)
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Tourists and reporters stand behind a police barrier as the central hall of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, Friday, July 26, 2013, as it was closed for cleaning after someone splattered green paint on the statue of the 16th president and the floor area. Police say the apparent vandalism was discovered early Friday morning with no words, letters or symbols visible in the paint. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) (credit:AP)
(26 of29)
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Tourists and reporters stand behind a police barrier as the central hall of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, Friday, July 26, 2013, as it was closed for cleaning after someone splattered green paint on the statue of the 16th president and the floor area. Police say the apparent vandalism was discovered early Friday morning with no words, letters or symbols visible in the paint. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) (credit:AP)
(27 of29)
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Tourists stands at the top of the steps up to the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, Friday, July 26, 2013, after someone splattered green paint on the statue of the 16th president and the floor area. Police say the apparent vandalism was discovered early Friday morning with no words, letters or symbols visible in the paint. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) (credit:AP)
(28 of29)
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Tourists climb the steps up to the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, Friday, July 26, 2013, after someone splattered green paint on the statue of the 16th president and the floor area. Police say the apparent vandalism was discovered early Friday morning with no words, letters or symbols visible in the paint. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) (credit:AP)
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Visitors leave the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, Friday, July 26, 2013, after the U.S. Park Police closed it off after someone splattered green paint on the statue and the floor area of the memorial. Police say the apparent vandalism was discovered early Friday morning. No words, letters or symbols were visible in the paint. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) (credit:AP)
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