Smithsonian Building
Also known as Smithsonian Institution Building
About Smithsonian Building
Smithsonian Building, at Jefferson Dr. at 10th St., SW, was added to the National Register of Historic Places on Oct 15, 1966: the first place in Washington to be listed. It was named a National Historic Landmark on Jan 12, 1965, one of 75 in District of Columbia. Only 0 of District of Columbia’s 691 listings are older. The Register lists it for its science, architecture and invention, at the national level. It describes its style as Norman Revival, as it does for 1 other District of Columbia listings. Seven more Register listings are within a quarter mile.
What it isAdministrative building for Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C. From Wikidata (CC0). Read about it on Wikipedia ↗
PDFRead the original nominationThe form that put it on the Register, with its history, photos and a map · 103 MB · National Archives↗1849 to today
- 1849Built, designed by James Renwick Jr.
- 1965Named a National Historic Landmark
- 1966Added to the National Register of Historic Places
- 2026On the Register for 60 years
Make it a walk: 5 landmarks in about 15 minutes
Jefferson Dr. at 10th St., SW, Washington · about 0.4 miles on foot, as the crow flies
- 1Smithsonian BuildingStart here
- 2Freer Gallery Of ArtFlorentine Renaissance · Built 1923 · next door
- 3
U.S. Department of Agriculture Administration BuildingNeoclassical · Built 1908 · 0.1 mi on - 4
U.S. Department of Agriculture Administration Building (Boundary Increase and Additional Documentation)Built 1908 · next door - 5
Auditor's Building ComplexEnglish · 0.2 mi on
22 more Register listings within half a mile
★ National Historic Landmark · D district · B building · S site. Each opens its own page.
Other National Historic Landmarks nearby
The nearest Landmarks with a photo, within 25 miles, and the year each was named.
Memories of Smithsonian Building
The record says what it is. Neighbors know what it means.
Your answer becomes a post in Town Square.
Questions about Smithsonian Building
Is Smithsonian Building on the National Register of Historic Places?
Yes. It was added on Oct 15, 1966 (Register number 66000867).
Is Smithsonian Building a National Historic Landmark?
Yes, since Jan 12, 1965. District of Columbia has 75 National Historic Landmarks, 74 of them in Washington.
Can you visit Smithsonian Building?
It has its own website, the place to check whether and when it is open to visitors.
Where can I read the history of Smithsonian Building?
In its National Register nomination, the form that put it on the Register: a 103 MB PDF at the National Archives, linked on this page.
Sources: National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places (05/22/2026) · National Archives catalog record 117691871 · Wikidata. Map tiles © OpenStreetMap contributors.