Description: Although planning began in 1919, the National Portrait Gallery was not created until 1962, and it opened to the public in the historic Patent Office Building in 1968. Known for its iconic collections of portraits of a broad spectrum of Americans, the gallery is also noted for its Hall of Presidents. History of the National Portrait GalleryAdditional Historic Images of the
Description: [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="338" caption="Patricia Nixon stands beside a mannequin dressed in her inauguration gown which has been placed in the exhibit of First Ladies Gowns at the National Museum of American History, c. early 1970s, by Unidentified photographer, Photographic print, Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 285, Box 20, Folder 3, Negative