Old Patent Office Building
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| Old Patent Office Building | |
|---|---|
| Name | Old Patent Office Building |
| Location | Washington, D.C., United States |
| Start date | 1836 |
| Completion date | 1867 |
| Architect | Robert Mills, Thomas U. Walter |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| Designation1 | National Historic Landmark |
| Designation1 date | 1965 |
| Designation2 | NRHP #66000902 |
| Designation2 date | October 15, 1966 |
Old Patent Office Building. This monumental structure in Washington, D.C. is a premier example of Greek Revival architecture and one of the oldest public buildings in the nation's capital. Constructed between 1836 and 1867, it initially housed the United States Patent Office, a critical federal agency for American innovation. Today, it is home to two prestigious Smithsonian museums, the National Portrait Gallery and the Smithsonian American Art Museum.
History
The building's origins are tied to the Patent Act of 1836, which reorganized the Patent Office and necessitated a permanent, fireproof headquarters. President Andrew Jackson authorized its construction, with foundational design work by architect Robert Mills, who also designed the Washington Monument. Construction proceeded slowly, with significant contributions from later architects like Thomas U. Walter, designer of the United States Capitol dome. During the American Civil War, the building served as a military barracks, hospital, and morgue; Clara Barton famously worked here as a nurse, and the building hosted President Abraham Lincoln's second inaugural ball in 1865. It continued as the Patent Office until the 1930s, narrowly avoiding demolition in the 1950s before being saved by a preservation campaign led by First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis and transferred to the Smithsonian Institution.
Architecture
The building is a masterwork of the Greek Revival style, intended to evoke the democratic ideals of Ancient Greece. Its imposing colonnades are inspired by the Parthenon on the Acropolis of Athens. The structure forms a vast quadrilateral surrounding two large interior courtyards, one of which is covered by a striking modern glass canopy designed by Norman Foster. Notable interior spaces include the ornate Greek Revival galleries and the massive third-floor exhibition hall, which was one of the largest rooms in America when built. The use of fireproof construction materials, including marble and granite, was a direct response to the catastrophic 1836 fire that destroyed the office's previous records in Blodget's Hotel.
Current use
Since its meticulous renovation completed in 2006, the building has been jointly occupied by the Smithsonian American Art Museum and the National Portrait Gallery, collectively known as the Donald W. Reynolds Center for American Art and Portraiture. The museums share the building's grand exhibition spaces, including the iconic Robert and Arlene Kogod Courtyard, which serves as a public gathering space. The facility also houses the Lunder Conservation Center, a state-of-the-art conservation lab visible to the public, and administrative offices for the Smithsonian Institution. It remains a vibrant cultural hub in the Penn Quarter neighborhood, hosting major exhibitions, public programs, and events.
Notable events
Beyond its governmental function, the building has been the site of numerous significant national events. It served as a hospital for wounded Union Army soldiers during the Civil War, where poet Walt Whitman visited the infirmaries. The massive "Model Hall" displayed thousands of patent models, drawing visitors like Abraham Lincoln and Mark Twain. In 1865, it hosted the lavish inaugural ball for President Abraham Lincoln, a major social event during the Reconstruction era. In the 20th century, it was the venue for the National Gallery of Art's opening in 1941 before that museum's own building was completed. More recently, it has held major exhibitions such as the National Portrait Gallery's presentation of the Obama portraits.