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Arts and Industries Building
900 Jefferson Dr SW Open Daily 10am to 5:30pm |
The Arts and Industries building houses a re-creation of the 1881 Exposition for which it is named. The original U.S. National Museum, this architectural wonder once held many specimens (such as the Spirit of St. Louis) that are now on display in other Smithsonian museums. Presently, the museum features exhibition spaces and galleries that host historical artifacts and displays, along with a Discovery theater for educational programs. |
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Library of Congress
Jefferson Building Open Sunday noon to 5pm. June through October open Saturday also noon to 5pm. |
Most reading rooms and exhibits open Monday, Wednesday and Thursday 8:30am to 9:30pm Tuesday, Friday and Saturday 8:30am to 5:00pm |
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National Archives & Records Administration
7th St. & Pennsylvania Ave. NW Open Daily |
Preserving "the nation's memory," the National Archives displays proudly every day the U.S. Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and Bill of Rights. At night they are lowered into a 50-ton vault to shield them from vandals and nuclear attack. |
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National Building Museum
401 F St. NW Open Monday through Saturday 10am to 4pm. Sunday noon to 4pm. During summer Monday through Saturday 10am to 5pm. Sunday noon to 5pm. |
The National Building Museum features exhibits that commemorate American acheivements in architecture,construction, engineering and design. Along with tours and films, the museum offers programs such as workshops on building crafts and educational lectures. There is also the majestic Great Hall, which is used by many cultural organizations and corporations for private gatherings. |
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National Museum of Health and Medicine
Walter Reed Army Medical Center Open Daily 10am to 5:30pm |
Visit fascinating exhibits which examine the nature and technology of medicine used to treat disease, from as far back as the Civil War until the treatment of AIDS. Medical kits used by Civil War doctors and displays of battlefield injuries bring medical history to life. Learn about staying healthy in today's world and the challenges of modern medicine through computer interactive tools. See 18th century microscopes alongside electron microscopes. The museum's Human Developmental Anatomy Center houses one of the largest embryological collections in the nation. |
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The National Postal Museum
2 Massachusetts Ave. NE Open daily 10am to 5:30pm. |
Drawing on its vast postal history and philatelic collection, the museum includes six major exhibition galleries touching on a range of topics, from the earliest history of the post office to the art of letter writing and the history of stamp collecting. An impressive atrium features three suspended airmail planes and is one of five exhibit galleries. The museum also has a library and research center, which includes a rare book reading room, an audiovisual room, and a workroom for viewing items from the collection. Educational programs include a Discovery Center for children. |