Jun
15

June 15, 1904

June 15, 1904 Groundbreaking of the new United States National Museum Building, now the National Museum of Natural History, took place on June 15, 1904, at 10th St., NW on the south side of what is now Constitution Ave. As a crowd of observers looks on, a woman using a spade lifts the first piece of dirt. Smithsonian Institution employees, Secretary Samuel P.  Langley, and architects Joseph Coerten Hornblower and James Rush Marshall all attended the ceremony.

Courtesy of Smithsonian Institution Archives

Related posts:

A series of fortunate events Skorton and BunchThank you for your leadership Ceremonial Smithsonian maceThe Symbols of the Office View of Castle towers from the eastMr. Smithson’s family goes to Washington

Posted: 15 June 2012
About the Author:

The Torch relies on contributions from the entire Smithsonian community.