Exterior of the U.S. National Museum (A&I Building)

Summary

• The north front of the United States National Museum, now the Arts and Industries Building, during the early part of the 20th century. The north entrance has the Hornblower and Marshall design. On the grounds to the right of the entrance are a cannon and the Syrian sarcophagus which had been placed outside the United States National Museum, May 19, 1883, following its transfer from the National Institute for the Promotion of Science.
• This sarcophagus was removed from elevated grounds in the rear of Beirut, Syria, and embarked on the United States frigate Constitution, the flagship of the Mediterranean squadron in 1839. Who the occupant was, or what his position, is a subject of pure conjecture, though it has been supposed to have been the last resting place of a Roman Emperor. It was placed in the National Institute for the Promotion of Science gallery from 1840s to 1883 located in the Patent Office Building, Washington, by Commodore Jesse R. Elliott, U. S. Navy, who had offered it to General Andrew Jackson as a tomb for the deposit of his remains. The General, however, did not accept the honor.

Subject

• United States National Museum
• Arts and Industries Building
• Hornblower & Marshall
• Arts and Industries Building North Entrance
• National Institute for the Promotion of Science

Category

Historic Images of the Smithsonian

Contained within

Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 95, Box 32, Folder 8

Contact information

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

Date

c. 1920s

Restrictions & Rights

No restrictions

Topic

• Syrian Sarcophagus
• Sarcophagus
• Cannons

Form/Genre

• Photographic print
• Exterior

ID Number

SIA2008-2448 and SA-770

Physical description

Color: Sepia; Size: 9w x 7.25h Type of Image: Exterior; Medium: Photographic print

Full Record

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