Welcome to the Smithsonian's Arts + Industries Building

Welcome to the Smithsonian's Arts + Industries Building. . , More than a museum, the Arts + Industries Building (AIB) is a part of our nation's history. A destination for big ideas for more than 140 years. AIB is now poised for the next great chapter in its impressive story., 1876 , World's Fair Sparks New Museum , The World's Fair opened in Philadelphia with a double purpose: Congress ordered that ticket proceeds would fund a permanent home for the World's Fair exhibits in Washington, D.C. Sixty train cars of wonders were shipped to the Smithsonian for display., 1881 , A Presidential Opening Party , The first National Museum of the United States opened with its first event, President James Garfield's Inaugural Ball. In the rotunda, a colossal 'Statue of America' held up Edison's new electric light, symbolizing the "skill, genius, progress, and civilization of America.", 1910 - 1980 , America's Treasures on Display , Dubbed America's 'Palace of Wonders,' eager crowds flooded to see new inventions like the steam engine and Alexander Graham Bell's telephone; national treasures like the Star-Spangled Banner, the inaugural First Ladies Gown Collection, and rare objects like the Spirit of St. Louis and the first moon rock. AIB incubated seven Smithsonian collections that grew into their own museums, Natural History, American History, Air and Space, and more., 2021 - 2022 , Futures , AIB reopened for the first time since 2004 for FUTURES, the first building-wide exploration of the future on the National Mall. FUTURES offered millions of visitors a glimpse into humanity's next chapter through a vast array of interactives, artworks, technologies, and ideas.