Visitors at the Lincoln Memorial have a view of the Washington Monument. Later this month, millions will converge on the historic promenade -- known as “America’s Front Yard” -- to watch Barack Obama take the oath of office and become the nations 44th president. But the timeworn treasure -- battered by 25 million visitors a year and the victim of a shrinking budget -- is itself a monument to neglect. (Tyrone Turner / For The Times)
People walk along the reflecting pool where patches of the once-lush lawn are trampled to dust. (Tyrone Turner / For The Times)
Crowds wait to ascend the Washington Monument. The number of annual visitors to the monument is more than the number of visitors to Yosemite and Yellowstone National Parks and the Grand Canyon combined. (Tyrone Turner / For The Times)
Patches of repaired concrete dot the walkway in front of the Lincoln Memorial. (Tyrone Turner / For The Times)
An aerial view of the Washington Mall show patches of bare ground on lawn. (Paul J. Richards / AFP/Getty Images)
Visitors walk around at the Lincoln Memorial. (Tyrone Turner / For The Times)
