Was there always an elevator in the Washington Monument?

There has not always been an elevator in the Washington Monument. The original design of the monument did not include an elevator. Instead, visitors had to climb more than 890 steps to reach the top of the monument. It wasn't until 1880, a year after the completion of the monument, that an elevator was added. The elevator is driven by a steam-powered engine and was an impressive engineering feat for its time. Today, the elevator is one of the most popular features of the Washington Monument, and it allows millions of visitors each year to enjoy the stunning views from the top of the monument.