America’s First Museum Complex Began with This Red Sandstone Castle in Washington, DC

Smithsonian Castle, Washington

A castle seems weird in the middle of DC, but this red brick beauty changed American history. The Smithsonian Castle was home to famous scientists, held rare gems, and started our biggest museum system.

Here are some highlights of the building that made the Smithsonian what it is today.

Pay Your Respects At The Final Home Of James Smithson

Near the north door rests the man who made it all happen. Alexander Graham Bell (yes, the phone guy) brought Smithson’s remains from Italy in 1904 when his original cemetery was being moved.

The marble tomb arrived in 16 crates and was rebuilt on site. Its pine cone top is an old sign for new life. The base is made of red Tennessee marble with a plaque noting his death in Genoa on June 26, 1829.

Explore Tiny Treasures From Every Museum In One Room

The West Wing lets you sample bits from all the Smithsonian museums. It reopened in 2004 with glass cases from the 1800s packed with amazing items from across the entire system.

The cases line the walls with hand-picked gems that hint at the vast Smithsonian world. One key piece is a peacock display that shows how museums once showed off animals.

You’ll find Native American art, space gear, gems, and antique coins all in one place. It’s like getting a taste test before picking which museum to visit next.

Marvel At The Commons Room’s Church-Like Beauty

The Commons room feels like you’ve stepped into an old English college. With its tall, ribbed ceiling, detailed stone supports, and round rose window on the south wall, it’s hard not to be amazed.

For 33 years until 2003, people ate meals in this grand space – the name “Commons” comes from English college dining halls. Fun fact: workers fixed the actual Star-Spangled Banner flag here in 1914.

The room was meant to be an art gallery in the 1849 plans but ended up as the library instead.

Peek Into Schermer Hall’s Century-Old Display Cases

Right next to the Commons, this room tells the Castle’s story. By 1871, workers had made it fireproof and updated it with high-end design touches. When the Commons changed back to a display space in 2004, Schermer Hall got new cases in 2006.

One past show called “Souvenir Nation” held odd items like chunks from Plymouth Rock, hair from famous people, and pieces of the Berlin Wall. The room once held fancy talks and dinners, and early photos show it held bug displays back in 1903.

Visit The First Museum Room Ever Made For Kids

This room was a big deal in museum world. In 1899, director Samuel Langley turned this first-floor space into a place just for young ones. Set up in the south tower in 1901 with the theme “Knowledge Begins in Wonder,” it had low glass cases at child height.

A big table in the middle held a fish tank, with bird cages hung above to spark joy and interest. By 1941, they changed it to hold other shows, but in 1989, they brought back the original kid-friendly design.

Walk Where America’s First National Museum Began

The Castle once housed all of the Smithsonian’s items. Until 1881, it held all the work, shows, books, labs, and even the boss’s home. The Great Hall had nature items on the first floor and a grand Native American housefront up above.

People started calling it the “National Museum” around 1859, though no law made it so. As items grew beyond the space, they moved to new buildings. After the Arts and Industries Building opened in 1881, they split the space between work areas and public displays.

Check Out The Tiny Model That Won The Design Contest

You can see the small model that started it all. A cardboard model of James Renwick Jr.’s winning design was kept and shown in the Castle. It’s one of the oldest American building models around, made with wood and paper back in 1846.

It gave two options for the north tower. Renwick got help from Robert Mills on the inner layout. They first wanted to use white marble, then yellow stone, before picking the red stone that made the Castle famous.

Take In The Red Walls And Towers That Break DC’s Mold

The Castle’s style makes it unique on the Mall. Its nine dark towers and fort-like walls look nothing like the usual DC buildings.

The red walls, towers, and pointed arches show off Gothic Revival design at its best. The red stone from Maryland looks totally different from the pale stone used elsewhere in DC.

They picked this style to remind people of old English schools and to show wisdom. The halls inside feature curved walls and wood trim that make you feel like you’ve stepped back in time.

Admire Antique Chairs And Tables That Match The Building

Throughout the Castle, the period chairs and tables fit perfectly with the walls. Set up in 1964, the Castle now has over 3,500 antique items, from elegant chairs to old lamps. The Regents’ Room had a fireplace with chairs made by Renwick himself.

Lion’s feet hold up many pieces – an old sign of power from Egypt and Greece. The East Wing once had a music room with wavy “Rococo Revival” and wicker chairs.

Follow The Paths Where Great Minds Once Walked

Just walking the Castle halls puts you in touch with the past.

These paths show off the Gothic style with their curved details and old-time feel. Think of all the folks who walked here since 1855—from the first boss Joseph Henry to world leaders. Kings, queens, and big names were welcomed here in the 1960s and 1970s.

Mary Anna Henry kept notes about what went on here during the Civil War. These halls once led to labs where folks studied birds and other animals. A fire in 1865 burned much of the top floor, but the halls lived on.