Mar
19

Today in Smithsonian History: March 19, 1847

South facade of Smithsonian Institution Building ca 1958-1864

The south facade of the Smithsonian Institution Building, the “Castle,” after completion, c. 1858-1864, is dominated by a massive, square battlemented central tower with an attached octagonal stair tower rising well above it. Constructed in red sandstone quarried in Seneca, Maryland, the building was unique not only in style but in material. From  “The Castle, an Illustrated History of the Smithsonian Building” by Cynthia R. Field, Richard E. Stamm and Heather P. Ewing,

March 19, 1847 The contract for construction of the Smithsonian Institution Building is awarded to James Dixon and Gilbert Cameron. Although the contract stipulates that work be completed in five years, the building is not actually finished until 1855. Because of course, no construction contract ever comes in under budget and on time.

Lantern slide photograph on glass in wood mount of Smithsonian Institution Building under construction, William Langenheim (1807 - 1874) and Frederick Langenheim (1809-1879) Philadelphia, 1850. Smithsonian Castle Collection, gift of Tom Rall, Arlington, Virginia

Lantern slide photograph on glass in wood mount of Smithsonian Institution Building under construction, William Langenheim (1807 – 1874) and Frederick Langenheim (1809-1879) Philadelphia, 1850. Smithsonian Castle Collection, gift of Tom Rall, Arlington, Virginia

Enlarged image of the photograph of the Castle taken in 1850 by Frederick and William Langenheim.

Enlarged image of the hyalotype photograph of the Castle taken in 1850 by Frederick and William Langenheim.

 


Posted: 19 March 2019
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