Feb

Have Fun Storming the Castle!

Join Secretary Bunch for an open house Feb. 7, 2:30 – 4:30 p.m.

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

Doors open at 2:15

Although the Castle closed to the public yesterday, Feb.1, Secretary Bunch is welcoming the Smithsonian community to join him Tuesday, February 7, 2023, from 2:30 – 4:30 p.m. for an open house and a last chance opportunity to explore the Castle before its multi-year renovation begins.

Climb the 111 stairs of the top of the Campanile or peek into the Regents Room, doors at the Castle will be open for our Smithsonian colleagues to learn a little about the Castle history and its future. Stop by the Commons and get a preview of a new exhibition, “Smithsonian Stories: African American Groundbreakers,” then pop into the west tower — former home to the Castle owls “Increase” and “Diffusion” and now to some turn-of-the- (Twentieth) century graffiti. And be sure to make way to the east wing for a selfie with the Secretary before his historic offices.

The Castle’s doors (East, North, and South) open to staff at 2:15 p.m. with a welcome by the Secretary in the Great Hall at 2:30 p.m. Smithsonian identification badge is required for entry.