Facts About The Smithsonian Institution Building
Smithsonian information center,national coalition building,national institute building
The original Smithsonian
Institution Building was completed in 1855 based on the architectural
work of James Renwick, Jr. who has other famous buildings such as the St.
Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City under his name. Army Lieutenant Barton
S. Alexander, attached to topographic engineers arm or the army’s engineering
corps, was asked to take up the architect's responsibilities because the
construction was progressing rather slowly. It is the largest museum complex
and is located on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. behind the National
Museum of African Art and it houses the Smithsonian Institution’s administrative
offices and information center. This Washington landmark is constructed
of red sandstone from Seneca Creek in Maryland in the Norman style. Its
construction was possible due to a generous gift of half a million dollars
by James Smithson, the bastard son of the Duke of Northumberland.
The first reconstruction was after a bad fire in 1865 and the east wing
was fireproofed and enlarged to accommodate some extra offices. The building
was remodeled from 1968 – 1969 back to its Victorian glory days. While
the building was under construction, its first secretary, Mr. Joseph Henry
and his family lived in its east wing. For many years, it was the base
for many day-to-day operations of the Smithsonian and it is a major artery
of the Smithsonian. The main Smithsonian visitor center is located here
with interactive displays and maps. It has a publication that goes by
the same name and the whole building is popularly referred to as the Castle.
Just near the north entrance is the crypt of James Smithson and outside
on the mall is a bronze statue of Joseph Henry who was executed by William
Wetmore Story. As the Smithsonian celebrated its 150th anniversary in
1996, a bell was added because its architect, Renwick, had intended for
a bell in his original plan but was unable to get one due to financial
constraints. It now chimes hourly and Renwick would be proud. The first
children's room in Washington was installed in the Castle's South Tower
Room and the original decorated ceiling and wall stencils were restored
in 1987 after years of neglect.
The Smithsonian Institution is an educational and research institute,
an associated museum complex with galleries and the National Zoo. It is
administered and funded by the government of the United States and millions
of materials in its impressive collection. Most of its facilities are
located in Washington, but its 19 museums, zoo, & eight research centers
include sites in New York City, Virginia, Panama, and elsewhere. It is
a good place to spend some time if you are a lover of history. |
