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Visible Vault: Open Collections Storage
Visible Vault: Open Collections Storage showcases a broad range of artifacts from the Museum's permanent collection, highlighting America's architectural and design heritage.
The exhibition provides visitors with a unique opportunity to engage with significant historical objects that were previously unavailable to the public due to their size, scope, and material. This exhibition is a testament to the Museum’s commitment to preserving and sharing the fascinating narratives of the world we design and build.
The exhibition showcases architectural models, maquettes, and tools from renowned architects and their prominent sites, including I.M. Pei, César Pelli, and Frank Gehry. Additionally, there are sections dedicated to the Museum's historic building, the Pension Building, the work of the celebrated artist Raymond Kaskey, and the Museum’s extensive Architectural Toy Collection.
The exhibition emphasizes the importance of highlighting underrepresented voices in architecture and design. To achieve this, it utilizes digital platforms such as Esri Storymap to provide historical context and enrich the viewer's experience. By leveraging these tools, the exhibition aims to make its collection more accessible and engaging for a broader audience.
Join us for a guided experience in Visible Vault: Open Collections Storage, offering a closer look at the wide range of objects added to the Museum’s collection over the decades.
Focusing on 8–10 selected objects, the tour will provide historical and material context for items ranging from architectural models related to the Washington National Cathedral to children’s toys, illustrating how ideas about the built environment evolved in the 19th and 20th centuries.
This Exhibition was made possible with support from the Institute of Museum and Library Services, DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities, Formica Corporation, Ken and Ginny Grunley Family Trust, Beverly A. Willis Estate, Richard Hampton Jenrette Foundation, Armstrong Flooring™, a brand of AHF Products, Esri, ShawContract®, CENTRAL BUILDING & PRESERVATION L.P. and Lilly Endowment Inc.
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