Smithsonian Exhibit on the National Museum of African American History and Culture

Now - May 20, 2012
Schermer Hall

Construction of the National Museum of African American History and Culture begins in 2012 and will be completed in 2015. See porcelain and glass shards from the 18th and 19th centures found on the site, a model of the building, and artistic renderings of the interior spaces in several cases.

Bradley and Hubbard: Masters of Metal Work

Permanent Exhibit
Schermer Hall

On view in these cases are selected decorative metal objects from the Smithsonian Institution Castle Collection that trace the history of the Bradley and Hubbard Manufacturing Company of Meriden, Connecticut -- from its start in 1852, to its purchase by the Charles Parker Company in 1940, to its gradual decline as a result of metal production being diverted to World War II efforts. Bradley and Hubbard originally was known for producing clocks, particularly through the 1850s and 1860s, and later branched out to produce such decorative metal objects as fireplace tools, lamps and candlesticks, desk accessories, and smoking gear.

Featured Areas: Children's Room, The Commons, and Schermer Hall

Permanent Exhibit
First Floor

• Children's Room: (First Floor, South Entrance, Independence Avenue)
The Children's Room -- with the theme "Knowledge Begins in Wonder" -- was installed in the south tower of the Castle in 1901 and featured natural history exhibitions for children. The original decorative scheme by designer Grace Lincoln Temple was restored in the mid-1980s.

• The Commons: (First Floor, West Wing)
The Commons, in the 19th-century Gothic Revival architectural style, features a soaring, groin-vaulted ceiling, elaborate corbels, a ribbed-vaulted apse, and a rose window on the south wall. Encircling the room are 28 walnut exhibit cases built in 1871 and refurbished in July 2004 with selected objects representing the Smithsonian's collections (for details, see permanent exhibition The Smithsonian Institution: America's Treasure Chest). The room served as a dining facility for many years, closing in June 2004.

• Schermer Hall: (First Floor, West Wing)
Schermer Hall, named for Smithsonian donors Lloyd G. and Betty A. Schermer, is in the Romanesque Revival style with clerestory windows, rounded arches, and a barrel-vaulted ceiling. Furnishings from the Castle Collection include a pair of Rococo Revival gilded mirrors that belonged to Simon Cameron, Secretary of War (1860-1862) under President Lincoln; a pair of Renaissance Revival armchairs (c. 1860) that belonged to Edwin M. Stanton, Secretary of War (1862-1867) under Presidents Lincoln and Grant; and Georgian Revival tables (c. 1910) in mahogany and verdi marble with classically carved motifs, including anthemion and acanthus leaves and guilloche (running dog) borders. Also in this room is a small panel display on the history of the west wing; for details, see the permanent display The West Wing: A Chronology.

• Great Hall: See Smithsonian Information Center.
• Smithson's Crypt: See separate listing.

Smithson's Crypt

Permanent Exhibit
1st Floor, North Entrance (Jefferson Drive)

The final resting place of the Institution's benefactor, James Smithson (1765-1829), is a small chapel-like room located at the north entrance to the Castle. Exhibit cases contain a few of Smithson's personal effects, as well as the Smithsonian's official Mace and Badge of Office. A panel explains how Smithson's remains came to the United States in 1904 and the Smithsonian's plans to build a memorial to him. 

Smithsonian Information Center

Permanent Exhibit
Great Hall

Highlights include:

• 2 information desks, serving the public and Smithsonian Associate members, which are staffed by volunteers from 8:30 AM-4 PM daily.
• 1 orientation theater (northeast wall) featuring an 10-minute video overview of the Institution (runs continuously, beginning at approximately 9 AM).
• 1 scale model of Washington's monumental core.
• Smithson's Gift showcase (provides information on the history of the Institution).
• A tactile map of the Washington's monumental core with Braille labels.