Title

National Museum of Natural History

Creator

Joseph Coerten Hornblower

James Rush Marshall

Daniel Burnham

Charles McKim

Date

1846 (Founded)

1910 (Building opened)

Description

First known as the new National Museum, the National Museum of Natural History's building opened in 1910 after nearly 10 years of construction. The Museum's Beaux Arts design features a domed rotunda, columns, and a portico. The Museum first housed art, culture, history, geology, and natural history collections until the 1960s when the Museum of Natural History became a separate museum. Today, it is one of the most visited museums in the world, and displays such diverse objects as the Hope Diamond, a complete Tyrannosaurus Rex skeleton, and a live butterfly collection.

Coverage

1890-1919

Source

Smithsonian Institution Archives. View original.