Apr
18

April 17, 1879

April 17, 1879 Ground is broken for construction of the United States National Museum building, now the Arts and Industries Building. Concrete foundations are begun on April 29th and the brick-work of the walls on May 21st. The main walls will be completed by November 1st.

This image shows the United States National Museum building, designed by Architects Cluss and Schulze under construction, December 1879. Scaffolding is in place around the exterior of the building. The center rotunda has been partially constructed. This view is from the South Tower of the Smithsonian Building, looking east towards the United States Capitol. A very small portion of the Smithsonian Institution Building can be seen on left.

Courtesy of Smithsonian Institution Archives

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Posted: 18 April 2012
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