Arts and Industries Building

The Arts and Industries Building is the second oldest building in the Smithsonian Museums located on the National Mall in Washington DC. The building was built to provide an area for public display of the museum growing collection. The building was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1971.

The building started to house exhibits from 1876 with the Philadelphia Centennial Exposition being moved there after their 'permanent exhibition' was closed in Philadelphia. In 1910 the natural history collections were then moved to the National Museum of Natural History and the buildings name changed to the Arts and Industries Building.

When the building began construction plans were put in place so that the new building did not obstruct the view of the Smithsonian Castle. The buildings design was symmetrical and composed of a Greek cross with a central rotunda. Geometric patterns are used on the exterior and the interior is partially lit with skylights and clerestory windows.

There are four pavilions located on each corner of the building. There are approximately 40 feet square and three stories tall. The wood floors of the building needed to be replaced in the 1890s due to complaints of dampness and health issues.

Later in the buildings exhibition life it housed temporary exhibitions and a children's theater that was known as Discovery Theater. Unfortunately the Arts and Industries Building is listed on as one of America's Most Endangered Places of historic sites. A complete restoration is in works and it is possible that the site will be used as a national Latino museum.