Visiting the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C.
One of the lesser known, off-the-beaten-path museums in Washington, D.C. - and one of my favorites - is the National Building Museum. With its bright red brick exterior, it stands out from all the other architecture in the city.
A beautifully-carved frieze wraps around the building, depicting a parade of military Civil War units and serving as a tribute to that significant period in American history. Walk inside and look up towards the windows high above and you’ll see 244 busts, each in their own little nook. There are eight models, representing different building occupations – architect, developer, financier, engineer, construction worker, craftsman, bricklayer, and landscape architect.
Most impressive are the Corinthian columns that divide the Great Hall. Measuring 75 ft. (23 m) tall and 8 ft. (2.4 m) in diameter, they are among the largest in the world. Having originally housed the Pension Bureau, a government agency created to serve the needs of Union veterans, it became the National Building Museum around 30 years ago.
What to do at the National Building Museum
Exhibits change frequently, but always revolve around architecture and design. Current exhibits include a showcase of Washington, D.C., designs for domestic architecture of New England, and a special presentation of this year's US Department of Energy Solar Decathlon finalists.
Our favorite exhibit is an area called the Building Zone. It’s a play space, a permanent exhibit just for the museum’s youngest visitors, ages two to six. The Building Zone allows kids to get hands-on with a variety of different kid-friendly building materials - jumbo foam blocks, giant Legos, ride-on bulldozers, trucks, and more, with a huge playhouse in the center of it all. There's a spot to curl up and read a book, puzzles and magnetic toys to play with, and a dress up area, too.
On unbearably hot, cold, or rainy days, there can sometimes be a line of kids and their parents waiting to get into the Building Zone, but don't fret! If it's crowded, playtime is limited, so your kids will get their turn.
The LEGO Architecture: Towering Ambition exhibit
This past week, a fun new exhibit opened at the National Building Museum. LEGO Architecture: Towering Ambition features 15 of the world's most iconic buildings, all made entirely of LEGO bricks, one of which reaches almost 18 feet tall! The buildings include replicas of the Empire State Building, the World Trade Center, Frank Lloyd Wright’s masterpiece, Fallingwater, the St. Louis Gateway Arch and the world's tallest building, Dubai's Burj Khalifa, which incorporates over 450,000 LEGO pieces. Wow! The exhibit runs until September 2011 so you have plenty of time to plan your trip! Admission is $5, except for the first Tuesday of the month, when it's free.
There's also a gift shop and a small restaurant inside the museum. The shop sells unique toys, jewelry, and home decor. The Firehook Bakery and Coffee House offers a variety of sandwiches, soups, salads, baked goods, and drinks. If you'd rather venture out, there are also restaurants within walking distance.
Located at 401 F Street NW, in the heart of Washington, D.C., the National Building Museum is open daily and convenient to public transportation. In fact, the Judiciary Square Metro station, on the red line, is right across the street! Sometimes the museum closes for special events, such as Presidential inauguration balls, so be sure to check the calendar before you go. Admission is free, but a small donation is appreciated.
Visit nbm.org and follow @buildingmuseum on Twitter for more information on this fun museum!
Mariana Perez blogs about life as a stay-at-home mom to two beautiful little girls over at Riding With No Hands. Follow her daily adventures on Twitter @ohMariana.
