Northwest Facade of SIB

ID: 29978 or MAH-29978 or 45934

Creator: Unknown

Form/Genre: Photographic print

Date: c. 1867

Citation: Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 95, Box 30, Folder: 10

Close
Usage Conditions Apply
The Smithsonian Institution Archives welcomes personal and educational use of its collections unless otherwise noted. For commercial uses, please contact photos@si.edu.
Download IIIF ManifestRequest permissionsDownload image Print
 

Summary

  • From the west, the north facade of the Smithsonian Institution Building with paths on the Mall leading to the building. A man can be seen walking along the low fence near the West Wing. The photo post dates the January 24, 1865 fire and reconstruction. The roof of the lower North Tower was reconstructed with a flat roof instead of replicating the original peaked roof. The cost of the reconstruction of the building, exclusive of furniture and not including fitting up of rooms wanted for further extension of the Museum, is $136,000.
  • The January 24, 1865 fire destroys much of the Smithsonian Building. The fire breaks out between the ceiling and the roof of the main building when workmen hanging pictures in the second floor picture gallery insert a stove pipe into a furring space rather than into a flue. The fire, said to have attracted thousands of spectators, destroys the second floor and roof of the main building as well as portions of the towers.

Subject

  • Smithsonian Institution Building (Washington, D.C.)
  • Smithsonian Institution Building West Wing

Category

Historic Images of the Smithsonian

Notes

Neg. # 45934 is same view.

Contained within

Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 95, Box 30, Folder: 10

Contact information

Institutional History Division, Smithsonian Institution Archives, 600 Maryland Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20024-2520, SIHistory@si.edu

Date

c. 1867

Restrictions & Rights

No restrictions

Topic

  • North front
  • Museum buildings
  • Fences
  • Architecture

Place

Mall, The (Washington, D.C.)

Form/Genre

  • Photographic print
  • Architecture
  • Exterior

ID Number

29978 or MAH-29978 or 45934

Physical description

Color: Black and White; Size: 10w x 8h; Type of Image: Architectural; Medium: Photographic print

Full Record

View Full Record