His first job was the elevator operator for the monument in the 70s. “The public has not had access to the stairwell since 1976,” he said. In 1971, people could no longer walk up to the top as visitors sometimes fell ill on the way. In 1976, the National Park Service closed the stairs due to vandalism.

The stairs of the Washington Monument were initially closed to public ascent in 1971, and then closed for descent as well in 1976, primarily due to public health and safety concerns. Before the closure, visitors could walk all 898 steps to the 500-foot observation level. However, the National Park Service (NPS) found that many visitors were unprepared for the physical exertion required, leading to frequent medical emergencies such as exhaustion, fainting, and even heart attacks in the cramped, poorly ventilated stairwell. Additionally, the stairs became a safety hazard during busy periods, as the narrow space made it impossible for emergency personnel to reach distressed individuals quickly. There were also concerns about vandalism, as some visitors would deface the historic memorial stones embedded in the interior walls. Since 1976, the stairs have been closed to the general public, though they are occasionally used for special ranger-led tours. Today, the high-speed elevator, which takes roughly 70 seconds to reach the top, is the only way for the public to access the observation deck, ensuring a controlled and safe experience for the monument's millions of annual visitors.