ET310b – A Multifaceted History: Journey Through the National Building Museum
Additional fee, registration required.
Designed by U.S. Army Quartermaster General Montgomery C. Meigs, the National Building Museum stands as a preeminent cultural institution dedicated to chronicling the history and influence of constructed environments. Originally designed to accommodate the U.S. Pension Bureau's headquarters, the museum also aimed to provide a grand setting for Washington's social and political gatherings while honoring Union veterans of the Civil War.
Join us to uncover the fascinating narrative and distinctive architecture of this national treasure as you soak in the museum's interior and exterior.
Designed by U.S. Army Quartermaster General Montgomery C. Meigs, the National Building Museum stands as a preeminent cultural institution dedicated to chronicling the history and influence of constructed environments. Originally designed to accommodate the U.S. Pension Bureau's headquarters, the museum also aimed to provide a grand setting for Washington's social and political gatherings while honoring Union veterans of the Civil War.
Join us to uncover the fascinating narrative and distinctive architecture of this national treasure as you soak in the museum's interior and exterior.
Learning Objectives
- Gain insights into the museum's evolution and an appreciation of its architecture, engineering, and design.
- Discover the multifaceted functions of the museum, from its origins as a governmental office to its transformation into a social hub and tribute to those who served in the Civil War.
- Examine the intricate craftsmanship of the building's interior, including its magnificent Great Hall—renowned as one of the largest interior spaces in the United States.
- Learn how the National Building Museum space has been adaptively repurposed for exhibitions, events, and educational initiatives.