What are the hours and is it free to visit?

Admission is free, and the museums housed within the building are open daily from 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.

What is currently located inside the building?

The building, now known as the Donald W. Reynolds Center for American Art and Portraiture, houses the National Portrait Gallery and the Smithsonian American Art Museum.

What is the history of the building?

Authorized by President Andrew Jackson in 1836, the building was constructed between 1836 and 1867. During the Civil War, it served as a hospital, morgue, and temporary barracks, and it hosted Abraham Lincoln's second inaugural ball in 1865.

What are the architectural features of the building?

The building features a restrained Greek Doric design attributed to William P. Elliot, with a south façade constructed of Virginia freestone and sandstone. Notable interior features include skylights, a curving double staircase, porticos, and vaulted galleries.

What should I check before going?

Use Gyde for context, then check official sources for current hours, tickets, construction, and closures.

National Historic Landmark Old Patent Office Building façade in Washington, D.C.

Q: What is the National Historic Landmark Old Patent Office Building known for?

It is considered one of the finest examples of Greek Revival architecture in the United States and one of the most loved structures in Washington, D.C. It originally served as the U.S. Patent Office and was praised by Walt Whitman as the 'noblest of Washington buildings.'

National Historic Landmark Old Patent Office Building façade

A masterpiece of Greek Revival architecture, this National Historic Landmark once housed the U.S. Patent Office and now hosts the National Portrait Gallery and the Smithsonian American Art Museum.

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What to know

The Old Patent Office Building is a monumental structure that occupies an entire city block in the Penn Quarter section of Chinatown, bounded by F and G Streets and 7th and 9th Streets NW. Authorized for construction by President Andrew Jackson on July 4, 1836, the building was completed between 1836 and 1867. It is celebrated as one of the finest neoclassical structures in the world, featuring a restrained Greek Doric design attributed to William P. Elliot. The building's exterior is a testament to 19th-century craftsmanship, with the south façade constructed from Virginia freestone and sandstone. Its massive rectangular footprint encloses a large central court, a design that has survived various eras of use. During the Civil War, the site took on a somber role, serving as a hospital, morgue, and temporary barracks, though it also hosted the second inaugural ball for Abraham Lincoln in 1865. After being saved from demolition by the Smithsonian in 1958, the building underwent a major renovation and reopened in 2006. This restoration brought back dramatic architectural elements, including vaulted galleries illuminated by natural light, porticos, and a curving double staircase. Today, the site is known as the Donald W. Reynolds Center for American Art and Portraiture. Now serving as the home for both the National Portrait Gallery and the Smithsonian American Art Museum, the landmark attracts over one million visitors annually. It was designated a National Historic Landmark on January 12, 1965, under the theme of Science, Discovery, and Invention, and was famously praised by Walt Whitman as the noblest of Washington buildings.

Visitor tips

Admission is free for all visitors.
The museums are open daily from 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Use the G Street entrance for an accessible entrance.
Wheelchairs are available at all public entrances for those who need them.

Nearby context

Located in the heart of the Penn Quarter and Chinatown area, this building anchors the neighborhood's historic character. It sits at the intersection of 7th and G Streets NW, providing a neoclassical contrast to the modern urban landscape of downtown Washington, D.C.