Great Hall of Smithsonian Castle Opens to Public

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Summary

The Great Hall of the Smithsonian Institution Building is opened to the public, occupied by the Metropolitan Mechanics' Institute fair. Secretary Joseph Henry is the president of the Institute.

Subject

  • Henry, Joseph 1797-1878
  • Metropolitan Mechanics' Institute
  • Smithsonian Institution Building (Washington, D.C.)

Category

Chronology of Smithsonian History

Notes

  • Engraving of the Great Hall in the Smithsonian Institution Building or Castle, c. 1857. Smithsonian Institution Archives, negative number 91-17967.
  • Source cited is the earliest known instance of the use of "Great Hall" to describe the ground floor of the Smithsonian Institution Building. A logbook containing the minutes of the Metropolitan Mechanics Institute in located in the Smithsonian Institution Archives.
  • W.W. Turner to J.R. Bartlett, January 31, 1855, J.C. Brown Library, Brown University (copy JHP 24500)

Contact information

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

Date

February 8, 1855

Topic

  • Architecture
  • Openings
  • Fairs
  • Smithsonian Institution Building
  • Special events
  • Buildings
  • Smithsonian Institution Building--Early History

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