National Portrait Gallery, Art museum in Washington DC, United States
The National Portrait Gallery displays a collection of portraits in paintings, photographs, and sculptures inside the historic Old Patent Office Building. The exhibition spaces spread across multiple floors with different thematic galleries and a central courtyard.
The building was designed by Robert Mills in the mid-1800s and first served as a patent office. The gallery itself opened in the early 1960s as part of the Smithsonian Institution.
Visitors here encounter American figures through portraits that show how representation has evolved across centuries. The collection includes not only politicians but also artists, scientists, and activists whose faces tell the story of the nation.
The museum sits near Gallery Place/Chinatown Metro station and opens Wednesday through Sunday from 11:30 AM to 7:00 PM with free admission. Visitors should allow time for multiple floors, with elevators and seating available throughout.
The Robert and Arlene Kogod Courtyard is a covered indoor garden with free Wi-Fi connecting both museum wings. Palm trees and other plants grow here under a wave-shaped glass roof that provides a comfortable spot even on rainy days.
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