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Jan 17, 2024 · There is a need for comprehensive rehabilitation of the Smithsonian Institution Building (SIB or "the Castle") and the Arts and Industries Building (AIB) in order to address physical deterioration, obsolete systems, and non-compliance with construction, accessibility, and life-safety codes.
The Smithsonian Institution Building, commonly called “The Castle,” was the first home of the institution. Its nine dark asymmetrical towers and its fortress-like embattlements represented a...
View facing northeast, 1864. The Smithsonian Institution Building, more commonly known as the Smithsonian Castle or simply The Castle, is a building on the National Mall housing the Smithsonian Institution 's administrative offices and information center.
2. The Smithsonian Institution Building, the “Castle,” is the Institution’s first home and its symbolic heart. The Arts and Industries Building opened in 1881 as the first home of the National Museum. Together, these two buildings comprise the Smithsonian’s Historic Core.
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What is the Smithsonian Institution Building?
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Did you know the castle is the Smithsonian's first and oldest building?
The Smithsonian Institution Building, popularly known as the "Castle," was designed by architect James Renwick, Jr. The building is constructed of red sandstone from Seneca Creek, Maryland, in the Norman style (a 12th-century combination of late Romanesque and early Gothic motifs).
Completed in 1855, the Castle is our signature building. The Castle closed Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023, for its first major renovation in more than 50 years. But even when the Castle is closed, you can plan your Smithsonian visit at our Virtual Visitor Center and explore the Castle online.
