National Building Museum, Washington D.C.

Name: National Building Museum
Address: 401 F St NW, Washington D.C., 20001, United States
Telephone: +1 202-272-2448

#31 among attractions in Washington D.C.

Museum, Neo-renaissance architecture, History museum

Gallery (22)

Map

Gallery

National Building Museum, Washington D.C.

Photo details 1. Wikipedia / CC BY-SA 3.0 / AgnosticPreachersKid / URL • 2. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 / AgnosticPreachersKid / URL • 3. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 / APK / URL • 4. Wikimedia Commons / Public domain / APK / URL • 5. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 2.0 / SecretName101 / URL • 6. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 2.0 / National Building Museum; F.T. Eyre / URL • 7. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 2.0 / National Building Museum; photo by Paul Morigi / URL

Facts and practical information

The National Building Museum stands as a majestic architectural treasure in the heart of Washington D.C., a mere stone's throw from the United States Capitol. Housed in a grand structure that once served as the Pension Building, this museum is dedicated to exploring and celebrating architecture, design, engineering, construction, and urban planning.

Constructed between 1882 and 1887, the museum's historic home is a marvel of engineering and design in its own right. Renowned for its colossal Corinthian columns and a soaring central atrium, the building presents an awe-inspiring backdrop for the museum's exhibits and programs. The interior's focal point is the Great Hall, which features a 1,200-foot terra cotta frieze that wraps around the upper walls, depicting Civil War military units in a continuous parade.

The museum's mission is to inspire curiosity about the world we design and build. Its exhibits are both informative and interactive, making it a destination for visitors of all ages. The diverse collections and temporary exhibitions cover a wide range of topics, from historic building techniques to contemporary sustainability practices. The museum also offers educational programs, including lectures, workshops, and community outreach initiatives, designed to engage the public in a dialogue about the built environment.

Open to visitors year-round, the National Building Museum provides a unique lens through which to view the history and future of our constructed world. Whether exploring the permanent collections, enjoying the innovative temporary exhibits, or participating in educational activities, guests leave with a greater appreciation for the role buildings play in shaping our lives and communities.

The museum is not only a hub for those passionate about architecture and design but also serves as a versatile venue for events and celebrations. The grandeur of the Great Hall makes it a popular location for galas, receptions, and even Presidential Inaugural Balls.

Alternative names: Built: 1887 (137 years ago)Architectural style: Art NouveauCoordinates: 38°53'52"N, 77°1'3"W

Address

401 F St NWNorthwest Washington (Downtown-Penn Quarter-Chinatown)Washington D.C. 20001 United States

Contact

+1 202-272-2448

Website

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Washington D.C.

Day trips

National Building Museum – popular in the area (distance from the attraction)

Nearby attractions include: National Museum of Crime and Punishment, Friendship Archway, Ford's Theatre, Capital One Arena.

~1270 ftW
Museum, History museum, Specialty museum
National Museum of Crime and Punishment, Washington D.C.
7 min walk • The National Museum of Crime and Punishment, often simply referred to as the Crime Museum, offers a stark and intriguing journey through the history of crime and its consequences in the United States. Located in the heart of Washington D.C., this museum provides an...
~1400 ftNW
Monuments and statues
Friendship Archway, Washington D.C.
7 min walk • Friendship Archway is a paifang installed at Chinatown, Washington, D.C. United States. It is one of the largest ceremonial arches outside of China.
0.5 miW
Historic performing arts venue
Ford's Theatre, Washington D.C.
12 min walk • Ford's Theatre is a theater located in Washington, D.C. which opened in August 1863. It is infamous for being the site of the assassination of United States President Abraham Lincoln on April 14, 1865.
~970 ftW
Sport venue, Sport, Arenas and stadiums
Capital One Arena, Washington D.C.
5 min walk • Capital One Arena is an indoor arena in Washington, D.C. Located in the Penn Quarter neighborhood, the arena sits atop the Gallery Place rapid transit station of the Washington Metro.
~360 ftS
Memorial, Monuments and statues
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial, Washington D.C.
2 min walk • The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C. United States, at Judiciary Square, honors 21,183 U.S. law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty throughout American history.
0.5 miW
Museum, Art museum, Art gallery
Madame Tussauds DC, Washington D.C.
12 min walk • Madame Tussauds Washington D.C. was a wax museum located in Washington D.C. the capital city of the United States. The attraction opened in October 2007 and became the 12th Madame Tussauds venue worldwide. and features wax sculptures of famous figures from politics, culture, sports, music and television.
~770 ftNE
Museum, Vernacular architecture, Specialty museum
Lillian & Albert Small Capital Jewish Museum, Washington D.C.
4 min walk • The Capital Jewish Museum, officially the Lillian & Albert Small Capital Jewish Museum, is a historical society and its planned museum in Washington, D.C. focused on the history of Jewish life in the American capital city and the surrounding Washington metropolitan area.
~670 ftS
Museum
National Law Enforcement Museum, Washington D.C.
4 min walk • The National Law Enforcement Museum is a mostly-underground facility located adjacent to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, DC's Judiciary Square.
~1520 ftSW
Theater
Harman Center for the Arts, Washington D.C.
8 min walk • The Harman Center for the Arts is a complex consisting of the Lansburgh Theatre and Sidney Harman Hall in downtown Washington, D.C. USA. SHH is the latest addition to the existing Lansburgh Theatre to create the new "Center For the Arts". Construction began in November 2004 and it opened on September 15, 2007.
~1220 ftW
Shopping, Shopping district
F Street and 7th Street shopping districts, Washington D.C.
6 min walk • Parts of F Street and 7th Street, N.W. and nearby blocks have historically been the heart of the Washington, D.C. downtown shopping district. In the first half of the 20th century there were numerous upscale large department stores along and near F Street, while 7th Street housed more economical emporia and large retail furniture stores.
~1020 ftS
Monuments and statues
Statue of Abraham Lincoln, Washington D.C.
5 min walk • Abraham Lincoln is a marble sculpture of U.S. President Abraham Lincoln by Irish artist Lot Flannery, located in front of the old District of Columbia City Hall in Washington, D.C. United States.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

When is National Building Museum open?

National Building Museum is open:

Monday 10 am - 5 pm
Tuesday 10 am - 5 pm
Wednesday 10 am - 5 pm
Thursday 10 am - 5 pm
Friday 10 am - 5 pm
Saturday 10 am - 5 pm
Sunday 11 am - 5 pm

Which popular attractions are close to National Building Museum?

Nearby attractions include US General Accounting Office Building, Washington D.C. (2 min walk), National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial, Washington D.C. (2 min walk), Myrene Apartment Building, Washington D.C. (3 min walk), Harrison Apartment Building, Washington D.C. (4 min walk).

How to get to National Building Museum by public transport?

The nearest stations to National Building Museum:

Metro

Judiciary Square • Lines: Rd (4 min walk)
Gallery Place • Lines: Gr, Rd, Yl (7 min walk)

Bus

Washington Deluxe Bus (15 min walk)
Peter Pan Bus (15 min walk)

Train

Washington Union Station (16 min walk)
Russell (17 min walk)

Tram

Union Station • Lines: H Street/Benning Road Streetcar (19 min walk)
H Street & 5th Street Northeast • Lines: H Street/Benning Road Streetcar (25 min walk)