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-Short Attention Span Theater-
This Week Is Your Last Chance to Visit the Smithsonian Castle for the Next Five Years
2023-01-26
[Washingtonian)The Smithsonian Institution Building—better known as the Smithsonian Castle—will close Feb. 1 for what’s projected to be a five-year renovation. That means babies born today will be walking and talking by the time it reopens, so you may as well swing by this week for one last peek.

Aside from being an impressive place to stroll through—the 19th-century building is a designated National Historic Landmark—the Castle also houses a small but diverse collection of Smithsonian art and artifacts that provide a sampling of what each Smithsonian museum has to offer. The building’s "Welcome to Your Smithsonian" exhibit delves into the institution’s history as well as the life of its founder, James Smithson, who you can pay respects to inside the building’s crypt. The crypt, which will remain undisturbed throughout the renovation, is the final resting place of Smithson and is open to the public.

The Castle also houses a cafe, gift shop, and central visitor center (which will be expanding online).

According to the Smithsonian, this will be the first major renovation of the Castle in more than 50 years. It’ll largely focus on restoring the interior, which has been altered over the years, to its original historic appearance. Notably, among other restoration work, the Upper Great Hall will be returned to its original two-story height, creating a venue for public programming once again.

Once it’s closed, passersby can still admire the towers and gothic motifs from the Enid A. Haupt Garden, which will remain open throughout the renovation.
Posted by:Besoeker

#4  How long before the Wokusts declare it racist and has to be destroyed?
Posted by: AlmostAnonymous5839   2023-01-26 13:05  

#3  By Sarah Bahr: Jan. 13, 2021
The Smithsonian’s eye-popping $2 billion expansion plan was supposed to propel it into the 21st century. Complete with an ambitious expansion of its 19th-century... Castle, that would have added dining, retail and restrooms, and new National Mall entrances to the National Museum of African Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery... The first phase, including repairs to the e Hirshhorn Museum, was already underway. But on Wednesday, the organization said its master plan would no longer include any of those elements, and [would] focus on restorations to the interior and exterior of the Castle, and interior and underground improvements to the Arts and Industries Building, which has been largely closed since 2004 for renovations.
Posted by: Slavising Unineting5672   2023-01-26 08:18  

#2  And to think a bomber hit the building in the 1940's.
Posted by: DooDahMan   2023-01-26 07:12  

#1  Construction becan March 17, 1930. Ribbon cutting opening April 11, 1931.

Intended to be the world's first 100+ story building, construction of the Empire State Building began on March 17, 1930. Construction was completed in a record-breaking 1 year and 45 days. Beautiful inside and out, the Empire State Building is an architectural marvel beloved across the world.
Posted by: Besoeker   2023-01-26 06:05  

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