Nov

Today in Smithsonian History: November 30, 1846

Smithsonian Building, designed by James Renwick, Jr., architect, south facade, color rendering (watercolor on paper) painted by Louis Townsend and drawn by H. C. Moore, June 1848

November 30, 1846 The Building Committee of the Board of Regents reports on their efforts to select an appropriate plan for a building to accommodate the functions of the newly established Smithsonian. After visiting buildings in a number of cities and reviewing plans submitted by various architects, the committee selected a plan submitted by James Renwick, Jr., in the later Norman, or more strictly Lombard style, as it prevailed in Germany, Normandy, and Southern Europe in the 12th century.

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. This is the earliest known image of the Castle, taken while it was still under construction.