The National Mall in Southwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Original Smithsonian Institution Building
Photographed by Richard E. Miller, August 21, 2011
1. Original Smithsonian Institution Building Marker
Erected 1847-57. Designed by James Renwick, Jr. in twelfth century Romanesque style for the first offices, research laboratories, exhibits, collections, and lectures of the Smithsonian Institution. Dedicated to the increase and diffusion of knowledge among men.
Erected by Smithsonian Institution.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Forts and Castles • Landmarks. In addition, it is included in the National Historic Landmarks series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1847.
Location. 38° 53.331′ N, 77° 1.556′ W. Marker is in Southwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia. It is in The National Mall. It is on Jefferson Drive Southwest east of 12th Street Southwest, on the right when traveling east. Marker is low on the east side of the building's north face. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1000 Jefferson Drive Southwest, Washington DC 20560, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Washington Metropolitan Area. It is also in the American Northeast, in the Upper South, in the Mid-Atlantic, in the Tidewater, and in the Chesapeake Bay Region. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Joseph Henry (within shouting distance of this marker); Enid A. Haupt Garden (within shouting distance of this marker); "Nature is my religion." (within shouting distance of this marker); Threats to Coral Reefs
this page online
Also see . . .
1. Smithsonian Institution Building. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on August 23, 2011, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland.)
2. Smithsonian Folklife Festival. Website homepage (Submitted on August 23, 2011, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland.)
3. James Smithson - Founding Donor. Smithsonian Institution Archives (Submitted on August 23, 2011, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland.)
4. James Renwick, Jr. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on August 27, 2011, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland.)
Additional commentary.
1. National Register of Historic Places:
Smithsonian Building *** (added 1966 - - #66000867)
Also known as Smithsonian Institution Building
Jefferson
Photographed by Richard E. Miller, August 21, 2011
2. Original Smithsonian Institution Building (the Smithsonian "Castle)"
Historic Significance: Event, Architecture/Engineering
Architect, builder, or engineer: Renwick,James
Architectural Style: Other
Area of Significance: Science, Invention, Architecture
Period of Significance: 1875-1899, 1850-1874
Owner: Federal
Historic Function: Commerce/Trade, Recreation And Culture
Historic Sub-function: Museum, Organizational
Current Function: Commerce/Trade, Recreation And Culture
Current Sub-function: Museum, Organizational
Statement of Significance (as of designation - January 12, 1965):
Designed by James Renwick and erected between 1847 and 1855, this is the finest remaining example of Norman Revival civil architecture in the country. Constructed of red Seneca sandstone, it was built to house the Smithsonian Institution, established by the generous bequest of James Smithson, English scientist and illegitimate son of the Duke of Northumberland, and chartered by Act of Congress in 1846.
— Submitted August 22, 2011.
Additional keywords. The Castle; James Smithson; Ralph Rinzler; Smithsonian Folklife Festival.
Photographed by Richard E. Miller, August 21, 2011
3. Original Smithsonian Institution Building
via NPS, unknown
4. Smithsonian Institution Building
National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form
NPGallery Digital Asset Management System website entry
Click for more information.
NPGallery Digital Asset Management System website entry
Click for more information.
Photographed by Richard E. Miller, August 21, 2011
5. Original Smithsonian Institution Building - northwest corner, viewed from across Jefferson Drive.
Photographed by Richard E. Miller, August 21, 2011
6. Ralph Rinzler/Smithsonian Folklife Festival memorial
"There is no better time, no better place to celebrate the culture of the American people and those from around the world than at the Folklife Festival on the National Mall." - Ralph Rinzler (1935-1994), Founding Director of the Smithsonian Folklife Festival
Photographed by Richard E. Miller, August 21, 2011
7. Original Smithsonian Institution Building - viewed from the south,
8. The Crypt of James Smithson - the Institution's English founder and namesake
- contained within the Original Smithsonian Institution Building.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 22, 2011, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. This page has been viewed 1,770 times since then and 50 times this year. Last updated on August 23, 2011, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 22, 2011, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. 4. submitted on December 3, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 5, 6, 7, 8. submitted on August 23, 2011, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
