Apr

Today in Smithsonian History: April 17, 1879

The United States National Museum Building, under construction in 1879

The United States National Museum Building, now the Arts and Industries Building, designed by Architects Cluss and Schulze, is 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. The ceremonial ground breaking for the new museum was on April 17, 1879.

April 17, 1879 Ground is broken for construction of the United States National Museum building, designed by Architects Cluss and Schulze. 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 1. Now known as the Arts and Industries Building, the historic building is currently closed to the public.

1878 architectural drawing of the Arts & Industries Building

Architectural drawing (1878): “Perspective of proposed annex to the Smithsonian Institute Building.” Preliminary drawing by architects Adolf Cluss and Paul Schulze of the new United States National Museum Building, now the Arts and Industries Building.

Learn more about the history of this beautiful building from Smithsonian Archives.