Smithsonian American Art Museum, National art museum in downtown Washington, D.C., United States
Description
The Smithsonian American Art Museum is a national art museum in downtown Washington, occupying a restored 19th-century building with neoclassical architecture. The exhibition spaces span several floors, displaying paintings, sculptures and digital works from three centuries of American creativity.
History
The institution was founded in 1829 and moved to the former Patent Office in 1968, a building constructed in the mid-19th century. The structure was saved from demolition in the 1960s and restored to house both this facility and the National Portrait Gallery.
Culture
The galleries hold paintings and sculptures from across the country, reflecting regional styles and movements that shaped American creativity. Visitors walk through rooms where folk art stands beside contemporary video installations, each medium offering different perspectives on life in the United States.
Practical
The facility sits directly above the Gallery Place/Chinatown Metro station and opens Wednesday through Sunday with free entry. Visiting in the morning or early afternoon works best, when galleries are less crowded and there is enough time to explore at a comfortable pace.
Did you know?
The Lunder Conservation Center on the top floor features glass walls that let visitors watch conservators at work on paintings and objects. People see how specialists clean canvases, repair frames and preserve delicate materials for future generations without interrupting the restoration process.
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