Crowded Lecture Hall in the A&I Building, 1890s, Smithsonian Archives - History Div, The Lecture Room in the West North Range of the United States National Museum, now known as the Arts and Industries Building hosted public lectures as well as meetings of the National Academy of Sciences and American Institute of Mining Engineers in its first year. In the front of the hall for demonstration during the lecture is a stuffed bear along with other animals and an Eskimo mannequin. In the Catlin Indian Gallery portraits of Indians and scenes of Plains Indian life drawn by George Catlin between 1832 and 1840 can be seen on the back wall..