Smithsonian Institution Building
| Smithsonian Institution Building | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| National Register of Historic Places | |||
| National Historic Landmark | |||
 The Smithsonian Building |
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| location | Washington, DC | ||
| Coordinates | 38 ° 53 '19.5 " N , 77 ° 1' 33.6" W | ||
| Built | 1847-55 | ||
| architect | James Renwick Jr., Barton S. Alexander | ||
| Architectural style | Norman style | ||
| NRHP number | 66000867 | ||
| Data | |||
| The NRHP added | October 15, 1966 | ||
| Declared as an NHL | January 12, 1965 | ||
The Smithsonian Institution Building is located on the National Mall in Washington, DC and houses the administration and service center of the Smithsonian Institution . The building was constructed with red sandstone in the Norman style (a mixture of the late Romanesque and early Gothic ) and it is nicknamed The Castle .
history
Construction of the first Smithsonian building began in 1847 under the direction of architect James Renwick Jr. As the construction work progressed very slowly, he was dismissed in August 1853. Construction management was transferred to Lieutenant Barton S. Alexander, a topographic engineer in the US Army . The building was completed under his direction in 1855.
Several renovations have taken place over the years. The first was made after the devastating fire of January 24, 1865. Most of the upper floor of the main building and the north and south towers were destroyed in the fire. In 1884 fire protection measures were carried out in the east wing, and expansion was carried out as more office space was required. During the renovation work from 1968 to 1969, the building was returned to the Victorian style, which was reminiscent of the time the building was first occupied.
The first director of the Smithsonian, Joseph Henry , lived with his family in the building which for many years also housed all of the Smithsonian's activities, including an exhibition hall from 1858 through the 1960s. In 1901, Washington's first children's room was set up in the south tower of the building. The room was returned to its original state in 1987. On January 12, 1965, the Smithsonian Institution Building became a National Historic Landmark . Near the north entrance is the crypt of James Smithson , the institution's founder, and in front of the building, on the Mall , a bronze statue of William Wetmore Story honors the scientist Joseph Henry. A bell was built in for the 150th birthday in 1996. A bell was included in Renwick's original plans, but there wasn't enough money to install it. The bell now strikes every hour.
Current usage
The Smithsonian Castle serves as the "brain" of the Smithsonian. It houses the entire administration and all operations are controlled from here. The Smithsonian Institution's Visitor Center is also located here, with interactive displays and maps. The most important questions are answered by computers.
Individual evidence
- ↑ Field, Cynthia R. Smithsonian Preservation Quarterly , "Director's Column: The Second Architect of the Smithsonian Building." Fall 1994 edition. Washington, DC
- ↑ Listing of National Historic Landmarks by State: District of Columbia. National Park Service , accessed July 19, 2019.
