Building

The Great Hall in the National Building Museum as seen from the mezzanine.
These Corinthian columns--among the tallest in the world--were inspired by
Santa Maria degli Angeli, a church built by Michaelangelo in the 16th Century in Rome.

Sorry for the lateness of today's entry. My dad came over at 5:30 this morning and we worked until nearly 3:00, then it was off to meet my mom to see my pictures in a photo competition I entered last month. Earlier this week, I was downtown getting a haircut and decided to take advantage of being within walking distance of the National Building Museum.

Built between 1882 and 1887, this structure was originally built to house the U.S. Pension Bureau. U.S. Army Quartermaster General Montgomery C. Meigs, who suggested the Custis-Lee Estate in Arlington as the location for a national military cemetery and who oversaw construction of the wings and dome of the U.S. Capitol, among other engineering projects, drew up the plans for this building, which he called his "finest achievement." It would also be the last building Miegs would build.

L: The National Building Museum from the west side.
R: One of four sculptures on the corner of the property of the NBM.
(Click images to enlarge.)

Unlike most of the buildings in Washington, which follow a Greco-Roman design, Meigs chose Italian Renaissance design and mirrored elements from 16th century buildings designed and built by Michaelangelo. The exterior perimeter is made up office and exhibit space, while the interior features a soaring great hall divided into three sections and separated by some of the tallest Corinthian columns in the world.

L: A bas relief frieze in ornamental terra cotta and painted plaster encircles the building.
R: Models of Eero Saarinen's St. Louis Arch and Dulles International Airport are part of an
exhibit about this future-looking architect. (Click images to enlarge.)

By the 1960s, the building was falling into disrepair and the government almost tore it down. Thanks to people with an appreciation for the building and some foresight, it was list on the National Register of Historic Places. In 1980, Congress passed an act mandating the creation of a museum dedicated to the art and science of building. Thus was born the National Building Museum. Today, it hosts a number of special exhibits, including a current exhibit featuring the work of architect Eero Saarinen. Saarinen designed the St. Louis Arch and Dulles International Airport, among other buildings, structures, and furnishings. The Great Hall is often used for inaugural parties and other events in Washington. Recently, it was the site of Hillary Clinton's campaign suspension speech at the end of the Democratic caucuses and primaries.

Another view of the Great Hall from the ground floor.

Photo copyright: D.C. Confidential, 08/08