Washington, D.C., District of Columbia story
A Greek Vision in the City
Standing before the Old Patent Office Building is like stepping into a Greek temple in the middle of Penn Quarter. Constructed between 1836 and 1867, this massive Greek Revival st…
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Standing before the Old Patent Office Building is like stepping into a Greek temple in the middle of Penn Quarter. Constructed between 1836 and 1867, this massive Greek Revival structure is one of the city's oldest public buildings. Its restrained Greek Doric design, attributed to William P.
Elliot, creates a sense of timeless stability. If you look closely at the south façade, you'll see it's built from Virginia freestone and sandstone. While it's now home to the National Portrait Gallery and the Smithsonian American Art Museum, it once hosted Lincoln’s second inaugural ball in 1865.
It's a stunning architectural anchor that brings a piece of ancient inspiration to the modern D.C. streetscape.
Updated June 2026