Views from the south

Photograph, circa 1860Smithsonian Institution negative #36881

The Smithsonian Institution Building viewed from the southwest circa 1860. The cornerstone of the building had been laid on May 1, 1847. The East Wing and Range and the West Wing and Range were completed in 1849 and 1850, respectively. The entire building on the exterior was completed by 1851.

Photograph, Alexander Gardner, 1865 Smithsonian Institution negative #37082

View of the Smithsonian Institution Building from the southeast. The photograph is one of the only surviving records of the fire of January 24, 1865, although the original photographic image has been heavily retouched. The fire destroyed much of the South Tower, Upper Main Hall, Flag Tower and North Tower of the Castle. Most of the damaged areas were repaired and reconstructed promptly.

Photograph, 1867-1879 Smithsonian Institution negative #72-1971

Exterior view from the southwest of the Smithsonian Institution Building. The photograph was taken after the Upper Main Hall roof was replaced with an iron and slate roof designed by Adolf Cluss. The reconstruction was completed on May 31, 1867. Construction had yet not begun on the National Museum Building (now the Arts and Industries Building) dating the photograph to pre-1879.

Photograph, 1934 Smithsonian Institution negative #31790

Photograph of the south of the Smithsonian Institution Building has been dated November 1934 because the Washington Monument, which appeared in the background, was under restoration at the time. The South Yard was occupied by many temporary structures and configurations, including the road with parked vehicles visible in the photograph.

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