Smithsonian Institution Building
The Smithsonian Institution Building, or Castle, was designed by architect James Renwick, Jr. Construction began in 1847 and was finished in 1855. The statue in front of the Castle, which is visible in many of these postcards, is of Joseph Henry, who was the first Secretary of the Smithsonian. The postcards in this gallery provide exterior views of the Castle.
Color postcard of the Smithsonian Institution Building, or Castle, and American flags. The Castle and US National Museum, now the Arts and Industries Building, are in grayscale on the right side of the card. On the left side is a statue of Samuel Francis Du Pont, also in grayscale, surrounded by leaves, with two crossed American flags below it, in color. c. 1898-1901, Washington Souvenir Co., Courtesy of a private collector, No copy available at the Smithsonian Institution Archives.
Grayscale postcard of the Smithsonian Institution Building, or Castle, and statue of Joseph Henry. The grounds surrounding the Castle are empty. A thick white border is at the bottom of the image on the front, and a message is written in this space: "[left side] This card was printed by the blindâ Dear Inez:â I shall try to spend the last week of August with you. We are on our way to Boston. Hadnât time to answer your letter. Eileen" c. 1898-1901, The Blind at C.P.I., Courtesy of a private collector, No copy available at the Smithsonian Institution Archives.
Color postcard of the Smithsonian Institution Building, or Castle, and statue of Joseph Henry within a gray frame. The frame places the image of the Castle off-center, to the left side of the card. A ribbon and blue flower embellishments decorate the right side of the frame. c. 1898-1901, Unknown, Courtesy of a private collector, No copy available at the Smithsonian Institution Archives.
Grayscale postcard with an image of the Smithsonian Institution Building, or Castle. The image of the Castle is on the left side of the card. The corners of the image are rounded. A white border surrounds the image and is especially thick on the right side of the postcard. c. 1901-1907, Unknown, Courtesy of a private collector, No copy available at the Smithsonian Institution Archives.
Postcard with a view of the Smithsonian Institution Building, or Castle, and statue of Joseph Henry on a cloudy day. The grounds are empty. The postcard was mailed to Miss Mabel Roper on October 27, 1904. The front of the postcard has a white border. 1904, Foster & Reynolds, Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 95, Box 30, Folder: 4A, Negative Numbers SIA2013-07204 (front) and SIA2013-07205 (back).
Black and white postcard of the Smithsonian Institution Building, or Castle. The front of the postcard has a white border. The postcard is addressed to Leo. R. Laybourn in St. Paul, Minnesota. The card was postmarked in February 1905 in Washington, DC, and arrived in St. Paul, Minnesota, on February 13, 1905. 1905, ILL. P. Card Co., Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 95, Box 75, Folder: 8, Negative Numbers SIA2013-06633 (front) and SIA2013-06634 (back).
Color postcard with a view of the Smithsonian Institution Building, or Castle, and statue of Joseph Henry. A red car and several people are in front of the Castle, near the statue, and a person is sitting under the tree on the right. The postcard is unused, but the message side has a printed note about the Smithsonian: “The Smithsonian Institution was founded in 1846 by the generosity of James Smithson, ‘for the increase and diffusion of knowledge among men.’ Its purpose is to stimulate, encourage and reward scientific investigation and study.” c. 1907-1915, B.S. Reynolds Co., Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 95, Box 30, Folder: 4A, Negative Numbers SIA2013-07202 (front) and SIA2013-07203 (back).
Color postcard of the Smithsonian Institution Building, or Castle, and statue of Joseph Henry. The grounds are empty. The postcard is unused. c. 1907-1915, The Hugh C. Leighton Co., Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 95, Box 30, Folder: 4A, Negative Numbers SIA2013-07208 (front) and SIA2013-07209 (back).
Postcard with a view of the Smithsonian Institution Building, or Castle, on a cloudy day. The grounds are empty and some of the trees are bare. The postcard was mailed to Mrs. R.D. Perkins on January 24, 1909. The number 6352 is in the upper right corner on the front of the postcard. January 24, 1909, A.C. Bosselman & Co., Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 95, Box 30, Folder: 4A, Negative Numbers SIA2013-07206 (front) and SIA2013-07207 (back).
Postcard of the Smithsonian Institution Building, or Castle, and the Joseph Henry statue. The grounds are empty and the trees are green. The card is postmarked May 6, 1909. The card is addressed to Mr. R.L. Campbell, with a short message for him: “Am having a fine trip. Wish you were here. We would have some fun together—Herbert” May 6, 1909, Unknown, Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 95, Box 84, Folder: 25, Negative Numbers SIA2011-2299 (front) and SIA2011-2300 (back).
Color postcard of the Smithsonian Institution Building, or Castle, lit from the inside. The sky is dark with storm clouds. The grounds surrounding the Castle are empty. c. 1910, Unknown creator, Courtesy of a private collector, No copy available at the Smithsonian Institution Archives.
Color postcard of the Smithsonian Institution Building, or Castle, and the old Agriculture Building. The Agriculture Building is in the right foreground of the image, with gardens and foliage to its left. The Castle is visible in the background of the postcard on the left. c. 1912, Possibly A.C. Bosselman & Co., Courtesy of a private collector, No copy available at the Smithsonian Institution Archives.
Color postcard of the Smithsonian Institution Building, or Castle. The view is from the road in front of the Castle. The trees are green and the sky appears mint green with wispy white clouds. c. 1912, Unknown creator, Courtesy of a private collector, No copy available at the Smithsonian Institution Archives.
Color postcard of the Smithsonian Institution Building, or Castle, and statue of Joseph Henry. Three cars are in front of the building: one is red, another is a grayish-blue, and the third looks white. Several people are also in front of the building. The trees are green, and a person is sitting under the tree on the right side of the image. The front of the postcard has a white border. c. 1915-1930, Courtesy of a private collector, No copy available at the Smithsonian Institution Archives.
Color postcard of the Smithsonian Institution Building, or Castle, and statue of Joseph Henry. A blue car and several people are in front of the entrance to the building. The trees are green, and small plot of blue, orange, yellow, and white flowers is in the center foreground of the image. The postcard is numbered “2722” in the bottom right-hand corner on the front. The front of the postcard has a white border. The message side of the postcard has a printed note about the Smithsonian: “The Smithsonian Institution. The Smithsonian Institution was founded in 1846 by the generosity of James Smithson, ‘for the increase and diffusion of knowledge among men.’ Its purpose is to stimulate, encourage and reward scientific investigation and study.” The postcard is addressed to Mr. Raymond G. Ingersoll, a serviceman, with the following message for him: “12/17/18 Hello Hubby,— Wish you were here too. We are going to visit this place and the monument this afternoon. We were through the Capitol building this morning and Horticulture building. We leave tomorrow after noon about 2:30 P.M for Jacksonville. This is a beautiful place and I want to visit it again when we can have more time here With love. Lillian.” December 17, 1918, B.S. Reynolds Co., Courtesy of a private collector, No copy available at the Smithsonian Institution Archives.
Postcard of the Smithsonian Institution Building, or Castle, and statue of Joseph Henry. The trees are green and there are a few people and one car on the grounds. The message side has a printed note about the Smithsonian: “The Smithsonian Institution was founded in 1846 by the generosity of James Smithson, ‘for the increase and diffusion of knowledge among men.’ Its purpose is to stimulate, encourage and reward scientific investigation and study.” The card is addressed to Miss Benmet Harman, with a message for her, as follows: “Washington DC. Surely did have a good time over there--but decided not to go to Normal, Sam & I came on to Washington Sun evening instead--Am having a good trip. Will look for you over soon. Remember me to all the folk. Mildred.” June 21, 1921, B.S. Reynolds Co., Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 95, Box 84, Folder: 25, Negative Numbers SIA2011-2303 (front) and SIA2011-2304 (back).
Postcard of the Smithsonian Institution Building, or Castle, and Joseph Henry statue. A car and several people are in front of the building. The front of the postcard has a white border. The message side has a printed note about the Smithsonian: “The Smithsonian Institution. The Smithsonian Institution was founded in 1846 by the generosity of James Smithson, ‘for the increase and diffusion of knowledge among men.’ Its purpose is to stimulate, encourage and reward scientific investigation and study.” The card is addressed to Miss Mabel Relfe, with a message for her, as follows: “Apr. 1st '23. Dear Miss Relfe: Am having a wonderful time. It has been cold. Is warmer to-day. Words can hardly describe all I am seeing. My! how fast the vacation is going. Hope you are getting a nice rest. Love, A.A.K.” April 1, 1923, B.S. Reynolds Co., Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 95, Box 30, Folder: 4A, Negative Numbers SIA2013-01063 (front) and SIA2013-01064 (back).
Color postcard of the Smithsonian Institution Building, or Castle, and statue of Joseph Henry. There are several people in front of the Castle. The postcard is unused, but the message side has a printed note about the Smithsonian: “The Smithsonian Institution was founded in 1846 by the generosity of James Smithson, ‘for the increase and diffusion of knowledge among men.’ Its purpose is to stimulate, encourage and reward scientific investigation and study.” The front of the postcard has a white border. c. 1930-1945, B.S. Reynolds Co., Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 95, Box 75, Folder: 6, Negative Numbers SIA2013-06639 (front) and SIA2013-06640 (back).
Color postcard of the Smithsonian Institution Building, or Castle, and statue of Joseph Henry. People are sitting on benches outside the building, but otherwise the grounds are empty. The trees are green. The front of the postcard has a white border. The message side of the postcard has a printed note about the Smithsonian: "The Smithsonian Institution, located in the Mall, was established in 1846 through the half million dollar bequest of James Smithson. From small beginnings it has grown to be one of the mightiest of the world's activities in gathering and disseminating beneficial knowledge. It has made American Science respected in all parts of the world. Some of the greatest race-benefiting inventions of the age and the foundation of many sciences had their inception here." The postcard is addressed to W.H. Moore, with the following message for him: "Thursday A.M. Went thru this building yesterday— a wonderful Museum— also went up in Monument & visited Lincoln Memorial— Going out to Mt. Vernon today. Bright sunshine, so it will be warmer— T.A." April 1933, Garrison Toy & Novelty Co., Courtesy of a private collector, No copy available at the Smithsonian Institution Archives.
Sepia postcard of the Smithsonian Institution Building, or Castle. The grounds are empty and most of the trees are bare. The postcard is unused, but the message side has a printed note about the Smithsonian: “Founded in 1846 by the bequest to the United States of James Smithson, an Englishman, ‘for the increase and diffusion of knowledge among men.’ Governed by a Board of Regents comprising the Vice President, the Chief Justice, three senators, three representatives, and six eminent citizens. The executive officer in charge is the Secretary, elected by the Regents. Through its private funds, the Institution conducts researches in many branches of science and publishes the results. It also administers the National Museum [now the National Museum of Natural History and the Arts and Industries Building], the National Zoological Park, and five other bureaus for the Government.” 1933, The Albertype Co., Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 65, Box 16, Folder: Postcards, Negative Numbers SIA2013-07809 (front) and SIA2013-07810 (back).
Color postcard of the Smithsonian Institution Building, or Castle, and statue of Joseph Henry. The grounds are empty and the trees are bare. The postcard is unused, and it has white, scalloped edging. The number 4A-H2182 is the bottom right corner. 1934, Curt Teich &Co., Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 95, Box 84, Folder: 27, Negative Numbers SIA2013-06649 (front) and SIA2013-06650 (back).
Color envelope for postcards, with an image of the Smithsonian Institution Building, or Castle, on the left side. The envelope is numbered “D-4716,” which indicates that its initial printing was in 1936. The envelope currently contains a set of 10 unused postcards for the US National Museum, which was the administrative name for the Smithsonian’s museums. Today these collections can be found across the Institution’s buildings and museums. Nine of the postcards have an initial print date of 1934 and one has an initial print date of 1938. 1936, Curt Teich & Co., Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 65, Box 16, Folder: Postcards, Negative Number SIA2013-07811.
Color postcard of the Smithsonian Institution Building, or Castle, and the National Mall. An American flag is flying from the top of the Castle. Clouds are behind the Castle in the sky. The Mall is empty. The front of the postcard has a white border. c. 1940, Capitol Souvenir Company, Courtesy of a private collector, No copy available at the Smithsonian Institution Archives.
Color postcard of the Smithsonian Institution Building, or Castle, with a view from across the National Mall. The Mall is empty and the trees are green. The front of the postcard has a white border. The postcard is numbered “4C-H831.” 1954, Rideout & Stapp (photo), Curt Teich & Co. (postcard), Courtesy of a private collector, No copy available at the Smithsonian Institution Archives.
Color postcard without a border of the Smithsonian Institution Building, or Castle, on a clear sunny day. The view is of the Castle from the National Mall. Four people are walking on the Mall in the right middleground. c. 1965, Unknown creator, Courtesy of a private collector, No copy available at the Smithsonian Institution Archives.