SMITHSONIAN AMERICAN ART MUSEUM & NATIONAL PORTRAIT GALLERY
Historic Building Tour
Did you know? Our building was the original US patent office - the third oldest federal building in DC! Far more than a simple civic space, the patent office was the heart of America’s early drive to inspire innovation. In this building thousands of miniature patent models were displayed for the public to learn from. Going on to host Lincoln’s 2nd inaugural ball, wounded soldiers during the civil war and poet Walt Whitman our building has a storied history. Featuring the voices of historian Charles Robertson, Smithsonian Choreographer in Residence Dana Tai Soon Burgess and the architect Annabelle Selldorf. Take this tour to uncover the secrets within our walls.
45 mins
Stops
Introduction
Either entrance
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3:10
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A short history of our building
Kogod Courtyard
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2:26
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The living museum
Kogod Courtyard
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2:09
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The first female federal employee: Clara Barton
Out of Many: Portraits from 1600 to 1900
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2:12
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The Adams Memorial
Second Floor
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2:11
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A man named Littleton: a personal history of enslaved labor
Early America
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3:19
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A food fight at Abraham Lincoln’s Inaugural Ball
2nd Floor Spiral Staircase
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2:38
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Lincoln's Patent
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2:23
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Knock it down and build a parking lot: A building under threat
America's Presidents
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2:46
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The hall of rejected patents
Luce Center
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2:03
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Innovation on fire
Luce Center
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2:07
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The cavern of curiosities
Great Hall
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2:36
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When peace is pierced: art as activism
Great Hall
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3:27
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A space for all: Queer(ing) a historic building
Third Floor Contemporary Galleries
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2:00
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A makeshift Civil War hospital
Lincoln Galleries
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2:34
The Building Today
Third Floor Contemporary Galleries
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3:16