1886 Panorama of D.C. from Smithsonian Castle
What an incredible 360-degree panorama of Washington from 1886. This image was taken from the top of the Smithsonian Castle. Don’t miss it!
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.
Washington Before the Civil War: An 1857 View from the Mall
One of the earliest known photographs of Washington, taken in 1857, shows the Smithsonian Castle in the distance and an unpaved Mall.
Garnet Jex’s 1936 Painting: An Aerial View of the Smithsonian
Explore the beauty of Garnet Jex’s 1936 painting, an aerial view of the Smithsonian. See the stunning details and learn more about this amazing artwork.
Exploring the Cool Print We Found on the Library of Congress Website
Discover a cool print found on the Library of Congress website. Check it out and explore what it has to offer
A Rare Look at the Washington Monument in the 1940s
Take a rare look at the Washington Monument in the 1940s, when temporary buildings occupied the current site of the Museum of American History. See the aerial view from the Washington Monument and learn more about the history of the area.
The Capitol in 1900, Seen From the Smithsonian Castle
A photograph from the Smithsonian Institution Archives, taken from the Castle around 1900, shows the National Mall as a working industrial yard: the old Botanic Garden greenhouses in the foreground, Baltimore and Potomac Railroad tracks cutting across the grass, the Capitol on the horizon. Within a few years the McMillan Plan would erase all of it.
A Rare Look at the Smithsonian Castle in the 1860s – Thanks to Shorpy
Take a rare look at the Smithsonian Castle in the 1860s, thanks to the amazing photograph from Shorpy. This appears to be a photo we haven’t yet seen!
Washington, D.C. from Above in 1867: A Bird’s-Eye View
This bird’s-eye view of Washington, D.C. was drawn in 1867, two years after the Civil War ended. The Washington Monument sits unfinished at the center of the image. The full caption from the Library of Congress is included below.
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.