How Bison on the Mall Became the National Zoo
William Hornaday penned live bison behind the Smithsonian Castle in 1886 to save the species. The Mall menagerie became the National Zoo by 1889.
Smithsonian
Since James Smithson’s bequest established the Smithsonian Institution in 1846, the organization has grown from a single building on the Mall to a complex of museums that defines how the world experiences American history and culture. These posts explore the history of the Smithsonian’s buildings, collections, and the stories behind the institution itself.
When Was the Air and Space Museum Built? A Historical Overview
Discover the origins of the Air and Space Museum in this historical journey – when was it built and how it became an iconic institution.
The Smithsonian Castle, Photographed in 1867
A photograph of the Smithsonian Castle taken around 1867, just two years after the Civil War ended. The red sandstone building was barely a decade old.
Why Is It Named The Smithsonian?
Did you know our greatest museum was funded by and named for an Englishman who never set foot in the United States? Read up on the origins of the Smithsonian and how it was born in our nation’s capital.
Early Rejected Designs for the National Air and Space Museum
The Smithsonian’s Air and Space Museum opened on the Mall on July 1, 1976, after 18 years and dozens of rejected designs.
Tracing the Construction of the Arts and Industries Building on the Mall in Washington, DC
Take a journey through time and explore the construction of the Arts and Industries Building on the Mall in Washington, DC. From the 1879 photo to the 1878 rendering to the finished product, see it all!
What a Lovely Old Photo of the Smithsonian Castle in 1856
Take a look back in time at this beautiful 1856 photo of the Smithsonian Castle. Click to see incredible details from Ghosts of DC.
The Smithsonian Castle Almost Looked Like This in 1846
In 1846, an open design competition could have given Washington a very different Smithsonian Castle. One rejected design became a church. The church became a parking lot.
The Smithsonian Castle in its Original Splendor: A View of DC’s Iconic Building in 1863
Take a step back in time and explore a Civil War-era photo of Independence Ave. This incredible photo showcases the Smithsonian Institution Building and the U.S. Capitol dome, taken before the 1865 fire