The Blueprint

Every year, approximately 36 million people visit the National Mall, and its iconic structures define the image of Washington, D.C. While images of the Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, and Smithsonian…

As part of its mission to inspire curiosity about the world we design and build, the National Building Museum actively collects objects, photographs, and paper materials that document the building…

In 2015, the National Building Museum received an incredible donation of more than 32,000 materials related to the design and construction of the Washington National Cathedral and other historic buildings…

Every holiday season, certain movies feel inevitable.  Not just because of the nostalgia they carry or the reminders about the “true meaning” of the season, but because of the comfort they offer….

The National Building Museum’s Architectural Toy Collection includes an expansive range of building toys dating from the mid-nineteenth century through the 1980s, built in large part through the generosity of…

The National Building Museum is proud to announce a series of distinguished awards recognizing the innovation, craftsmanship, and design excellence of our exhibitions in 2025. These honors mark significant achievements…

When Samuel H. Kress launched his first 5-, 10-, and 25-cent stores in 1896, he followed the trail blazed by F. W. Woolworth but carved out his own territory in…

Each fall, the National Building Museum transforms into a showcase of creativity, collaboration, and community impact through Canstruction, a nationwide program dedicated to raising awareness about hunger. During Canstruction, visitors…

When you think of fall, chances are your mind drifts to a place like Stars Hollow. A crisp morning breeze, a walkable main street, a community so close-knit that a…