Work Begins on the Smithsonian "Castle"

Item

Item sets
Mall Histories
Washington
Title
Work Begins on the Smithsonian "Castle"
Date
1847
Description
James Renwick, Jr began work on the original Smithsonian Institution building in 1847. Renwick's design was inspired by western European structures originally built in the 1100s, making this Gothic Revival building look like a castle. When construction began, the Mall was quiet and the Smithsonian building was isolated from the city Washington. When it opened in 1855, the Castle housed the first museum on the Mall.
Source
Smithsonian Institution Archives. View original.
Coverage
1830-1859
Event Type
Openings and Dedications