The monument has been closed since the 2011 earthquake and half of the needed repairs have been funded by a $7.5 million donation from philanthropist David Rubenstein. The Associated Press had a look at some of the worst damage and the preparations underway to begin making repairs. Stone by stone, engineers are reviewing cracks, missing pieces and broken mortar now that huge scaffolding has been built around the towering symbol of the nation’s capital. Once each trouble spot is identified, repairs can begin.

Bob Collie, project manager with Perini Management Services, puts his finger in a crack of the Washington Monument at the 491-foot level of the scaffolding surrounding the monument

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Repairs have begun on a crack in a stone of the Washington Monument at the 231-foot level, Sunday, June 2, 2013 in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell, looks at the spaces between stones, on the 231-foot level of the scaffolding surrounding the Washington Monument, Sunday, June 2, 2013 in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

The shadow of the Washington Monument and surrounding scaffolding is seen from the 231-foot level looking toward the World War II Memorial and Lincoln Memorial, Sunday, June 2, 2013 in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

A missing corner of a stone is seen in the Washington Monument at the 491-foot level of the scaffolding surrounding the monument, Sunday, June 2, 2013 in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)