Completed in 1881, the Arts and Industries building was the second structure on the National Mall and the first building dedicated solely to the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum. It housed early collections of natural history, American history, anthropology, and art. As the Smithsonian Institution grew, these collections were given their own museums on the National Mall. Currently undergoing renovations, the Arts and Industries Building is open for special events and pop-up exhibitions. The grounds are home to the beautifully landscaped Mary Livingston Ripley Garden. The Arts and Industries Building, one of the finest examples of architecture inspired by the world's fairs, was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1969 and named a National Historic Landmark in 1971.
When the United States accepted the late James Smithson's estate in 1836, it was originally not known what kind of institution would be established. The first Smithsonian Secretary, Joseph Henry, envisioned a museum and library that would be the two modes of increasing and diffusing knowledge. This museum would house collections of natural history, American history, anthropology, and art and put them on display, free of expense, for the public.1In 1850, Henry appointed Spencer F. Baird as the first curator of the Smithsonian's collections, which were originally housed in the Smithsonian Institution Building, also known as the Castle. As a naturalist, Baird focused on amassing a large collection of specimens that illustrated North American flora and fauna. In 1876, the Smithsonian also received collections and exhibitions from the Centennial International Exposition in Philadelphia. Baird understood that in order to continue growing, the Smithsonian would need more space and more methodical organization.2Baird's dream came true with the National Museum Building. Constructed between 1879 and 1881, the National Museum Building was worldly in its collections and its architecture. Collections included natural history, American history, anthropology, and art. The National Museum Building was inspired by world's fairs and exposition architecture and borrowed Greek, Byzantine, and Moorish designs that were in fashion at the time. Its red brick complements the Castle yet contrasts much of the modern National Mall, which is lined with museums and monuments made of light-colored stone and marble. Architects chose red brick because it was fireproof, economical, and versatile. The Building's design was open and festive with geometric patterns, skylights, colored brick accents and tiling, and a central rotunda. With its brilliant use of windows and ventilation, artificial lighting and heating and cooling systems were seldom needed. The National Museum Building hosted President James Garfield's inaugural ball on March 4, 1881, and opened to the public in October of that year.3By 1910, the Smithsonian collections had already outgrown the National Museum Building. The natural history collections moved to the National Museum of Natural History across the Mall. The National Museum Building was then renamed the Arts and Industries Building and focused on displaying treasures of art and history, such as the Star-Spangled Banner, the Spirit of St. Louis, and First Ladies' dresses. Over the course of the twentieth century, the Smithsonian moved collections out of the Arts and Industries Building and into newly-constructed museums. Because so many museums originated from the Arts and Industries Building, it is often nicknamed the incubator. These museums include the National Museum of American History, the Smithsonian American Art Museum, the National Portrait Gallery, the National Air and Space Museum, and the National Postal Museum. As collections departed, the Arts and Industries Building held exhibits, such as 1876: A Centennial Exhibition celebrating the fair that helped build the National Museum. Gardens added beautiful landscaping to the grounds in the 1980s.4In the new millennium, the Arts and Industries Building thrived culturally, yet deteriorated physically. In 2004, though the Arts and Industries Building was home to exhibits, archives, offices, and 500 employees of various Smithsonian organizations, it closed due to cracks in the walls and flooring, leaks in the ceiling, pests, and poor internal systems. Since then, the Building has undergone extensive renovations to restore its former glory and take advantage of its historically sustainable construction. The future of the Arts and Industries Building is still being planned. In the meantime, it provides a space for pop-up exhibits and special events. Today, the words National Museum are still visible on the building's facade, a testament to its place in both American history and Smithsonian history.5