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Faces & Places of Yesterday

The U.S. Patent Office in 1924, Now the Smithsonian Portrait Gallery

A 1924 photograph of the old U.S. Patent Office building in Washington, D.C. The building now houses the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery.

1 min read
U.S. Patent Office interior in 1924
U.S. Patent Office interior in 1924

Take a look at this great afternoon photo. The detail is amazing when you click to zoom in on it.

This is the old U.S. Patent Office in 1924, the building that currently serves as the Smithsonian Portrait Gallery.

U.S. Patent Office interior in 1924
U.S. Patent Office interior in 1924

Some of our stories are researched and written with help from AI, and checked by a person before they run. Here’s how we use AI.

Filed underFaces & Places of Yesterday

Topics1920s · Smithsonian

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