April 10, 2008 - June 10, 2008 (new opening and closing dates)
Schermer Hall
Note: This exhibition is open to the public during regular building hours except when a special event has been scheduled for the space; call 202-633-1000 to confirm.
On view in 5 cases are bank notes and coins that vividly portray Greek culture, history, and mythology. These common objects of everyday exchange preserve rich stories about people, politics, and the powerful forces that shaped both ancient and modern Greece.
May 8, 2005 - Permanent
The Commons (West Wing)
In display cases framing the walls of this historic room are selected objects representing all of the museums that offer a tantalizing sample of the breadth and depth of the Smithsonian's vast collections.
Note: The room is open to the public during regular hours except when it has been booked for a special event.
October 7, 1998 - Permanent
Outside, Jefferson Drive between Castle and Arts & Industries
The garden features roses, annuals, perennials, and woody plants chosen for year-round interest, and was donated by the Folger family in honor of their mother, Kathrine Dulin Folger.
May 21, 1987 - Permanent
Outside, south of the Castle (The Quadrangle)
A 4.2-acre rooftop park, named for its donor, features an embroidered parterre in a geometric design of plants and flowers rotated seasonally. Other features include an Asian-influenced garden adjacent to the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, a Moorish-influenced garden adjacent to the National Museum of African Art, and garden furnishings from the Horticulture Services Division's Garden Furniture Collection.
- Permanent
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 18-minute video overview of the Institution (runs continuously, beginning at approximately 9 AM).
• 2 interactive "touch-screen" programs on the Smithsonian Institution in 6 languages.
• 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.
- Permanent
First Floor
Featured Rooms:
• Smithson's Crypt: (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 exhibit explains how Smithson's remains came to the United States in 1904 and the Smithsonian's plans to build a memorial to him. Curator: Richard Stamm, Keeper, Castle Collection.
• Children's Room: (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, 2-panel display on the history of the west wing; for details, see permanent exhibition The West Wing: A Chronology.
Castle Café and Coffee Bar
Featuring an Espresso/Cappuccino bar, Argentinean Gelato, Panini, Antipasti, Organic salads, Specialty Sandwiches, Soups and Pastries. Discount for Smithsonian Members
Hours: 8:30a.m.-5:00p.m.
