April 10, 1849

The east wing of the Smithsonian Institution Building as seen from the south yard.

April 10, 1849. The east wing of the Smithsonian Institution Building is completed and is occupied by a lecture room, a laboratory and apparatus rooms. James Renwick, Jr., a New York architect known for his ecclesiastical designs, is the architect. By year’s end, the west wing would also be completed, and plans were to house the library in the west wing until the main building was finished.

Courtesy of Smithsonian Institution Archives

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