US first lady Melania Trump, alongside a group of local elementary school students, helped cut the ribbon to reopen the Washington Monument on Thursday.

U.S. first lady Melania Trump cuts the ribbon during the reopening ceremony of the Washington Monument in Washington D.C., the United States, on Sept. 19, 2019. (Photo: Xinhua)

The 555-foot tall marble obelisk, named for the nation's first president, now has an upgrade elevator and a new permanent screening facility after years of renovations, according to the National Park Service.

Tickets for tours on the reopening day through Oct. 18 are available at the Washington Monument Lodge. For Oct. 19 and after, visitors can book tickets online starting Oct. 10.

The Washington Monument is seen in Washington D.C., the United States, on Sept. 19, 2019. (Photo: Xinhua)

This popular tourist site has been closed for most of the past eight years.

An earthquake in 2011 left cracks in the stones near the top of the obelisk. It reopened in 2014, but then was closed again in 2016 due to elevator malfunctions.

Construction of the monument began in 1848, and did not complete until 1888.

It was the tallest structure in the world briefly until 1889, when it was overtaken by the Eiffel Tower in Paris.

In Washington D.C., it remains the tallest building and attracts about 500,000 visitors per year when opened.