Another item for my "to do" list

[resqgeek]

In the Style section of today's Washington Post, there was an article about the gala celebration at the Smithsonian's American Art Museum and National Portrait Gallery. This building has been closed for renovations for the last seven years, and is scheduled to reopen to the public on July 1. The neighborhood around this building has undergone a dramatic revitalization during the closure. The MCI Arena (home to the NHL Washington Capitals and NBA Washington Wizards) has drawn large numbers of people to the area and a number of upscale retail establishments have opened in the vicinity to serve these crowds. The International Spy Museum is across the street as well.

I've never visited the American Art Museum and National Portrait Gallery, but I definitely want to. The portrait collection includes portraits of all the US Presidents, and the American Art collection should be interesting as well. But beyond the art collections, I'm drawn by the building itself. This museum and gallery occupies the original Patent Office Building, a Greek revival structure built in the 1830's. It was home to the agency I work for until 1932, which makes me curious about the building itself, and its history. By all accounts, it is a remarkably beautiful building.

Comments

[skyring.livejournal.com]

This is one building (and collection) I definitely want to see on my next trip.