Smithsonian Institute Castle, Washington D.C.

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This building is the oldest of the 17 Smithsonian museums in DC. The castle houses the crypt of founder James Smithson, visitor orientation theater, scale models of exhibitions, and helpful information volunteers to assit you. It even has a cafe & store. Open daily 8:30 am - 5:30pm except Dec 25. Its Free. I've seen it so many times in the distance so it was nice to actually see it upclose. What a lovely building.

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With little doubt, what sets Washington, DC apart as a country capitol is The Smithsonian Institute. The breadth of the complex is without parallel with 16 museums, a zoo and numerous research facilities to its credit. Few major world metropolises have as many museums scattered about let alone clustered all within a few city blocks and none can offer such a plethora for free. Ironically, a man who had never been to the United States is responsible for this disproportion. The illegitimate son of an English Duke, scientist James Smithson, was perhaps lashing out at his country's rigid class system or was enamored by the idealism of universal education but his decision to leave the entirety of his estate to his nephew and later if he remained heir-less to the United States of America was to have great consequences for its ultimate beneficiary. The eventual $500,000 contribution was a lofty sum when it was donated 1835 and led the US Congress to charter The Smithsonian Institute in 1846. This led to the building of The Castle as it is refered to today though at the time it was the Smithsonian Institute in its entirety. It has grown considerably since and now encompasses over 140 millions artifacts!

The Castle today is the Institutes administration building and also serves the appropriate function as the Visitor Information Center and is thus most people's first introduction to the wonders of the Smithsonian Institute.

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The Smithsonian was established as the result of a generous donation by James Smithson, an English scientist. The Castle, as it is known, was built between 1847 and 1855. It is used today as administrative offices and the Smithsonian information Center.

The statue out front is of James Henry, the first secretary of the Smithsonian.

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The Smithsonian Institution's National Air and Space Museum maintains the largest collection of historic air and spacecraft in the world. It is also a vital center for research into the history, science, and technology of aviation and space flight, as well as planetary science and terrestrial geology and geophysics. The Smithsonian has hundreds of artifacts on display including the original Wright 1903 Flyer, the Spirit of St. Louis, the Apollo 11 command module, and a lunar rock sample that visitors can touch.

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This is a must see! A museum lovers dream. You can spend a week and not see it all. The Exhibits are all fascinating. You never know what you will find. Like T.V? How about Archie Bunkers chair? Or an egg from "ALIEN"? Like planes? How about the "Spirit of St. Louis" (hanging from the ceiling)? There is no question something there will spark your intrest or imagination!

The Smithsonian Institution Building is also known as the Castle because the architect, James Renwick, Jr., designed it in such a style and built with money from James Smithson, an English scientist and illegitimate son of the Duke of Northumberland, from who the institute got its name.

The Castle used to be the residence of Joseph Henry, the first Secretary of the Smithsonian, and currently the Institution's administrative offices and the Smithsonian Information Center. The late Mr James Smithson, the benefactor of the Institution, lies inside the north entrance and who made it possible for all visitors to come to the museums for free.

the smithsonian is a huge complex of museums founded by james smithson. james smithson was an english scientist and philanthropist who donated $ 500,000 in 1836 to found a place of knowledge in washington. it is interesting to note that smithson never visited the united states. pictured is the smithsonian castle designed by james renwick and built in 1855. this building housed the original smithsonian collections. today this building is just one of many smithsonian museums located on washington's mall. it would take at least a week to view all of the collections of the smithsonian.

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When I was in the institute castle, I was really impress with the information desk's officials here. Imagine of the hot sexy girls??? Oh.. Wake Up! They were all senior citizen...like our grandma, grandpa. They were so kind and willing to help but I had to speak to them a little bit louder so that they could hear me. :-)

After taking some maps from the information desk, the officials told me that there was a video brief in the virtual tour room. I have been watching the brief and start my trip with the National Air and Space Museum, one of the most 3 popular museums.