Smithsonian Institution Building, National historic landmark on the National Mall, Washington, United States
The Smithsonian Institution Building, known as the Castle, is a Seneca red sandstone structure on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., designed by James Renwick Jr. in the Norman Revival style. Its south side has a 91-foot principal tower, 37 feet square, with a clock face and arched windows; a shorter octagonal turret with a pointed roof stands to the left, and a rose window sits in the central gable. Inside, a tall hall of reddish-brown stone lies beneath a pointed ribbed vault, with a large circular rose window above three arched bays.
James Renwick Jr. won a nationwide competition in 1846 to design this structure, which opened in 1855 as the institution's headquarters. A fire in 1865 destroyed much of the interior, which was later restored with simplified decoration.
The building functions as a central visitor hub for the Smithsonian museums and displays rotating pieces from the institution's collections. It is nicknamed the Castle because of its medieval towers and battlements that recall a European fortress.
The structure is closed until 2028 for major renovation work, including restoration of the Grand Hall and upgrades to building systems. Visitors can view the exterior facade from the Mall and explore other Smithsonian museums nearby.
The crypt of James Smithson sits inside the north entrance, even though the British scientist who funded the institution never set foot on American soil. His remains were brought from Italy to Washington in 1904, more than half a century after his death.
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