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Renwick Gallery

ArchitectureDesignArtClosed todayFreeFarragut West (Blue, Orange, Silver lines)

Die Renwick Gallery ist die Dependance des Smithsonian American Art Museum für zeitgenössisches Kunsthandwerk und angewandte Kunst, gelegen am Lafayette Square nur einen Häuserblock vom White House entfernt. James Renwick Jr. entwarf den Bau 1859 für den Bankier William Wilson Corcoran im Stil des Second Empire, den er am Louvre bewundert hatte. Damit entstand das erste Gebäude der Vereinigten Staaten, das eigens als Kunstmuseum errichtet wurde; über dem Portal prangt noch heute die Inschrift „Dedicated to Art“, und Senator Charles Sumner taufte das Haus einst „the American Louvre“. Nachdem eine von Jacqueline Kennedy 1962 angeführte Initiative das Bauwerk vor dem Abriss bewahrt hatte, wurde es 1972 als Galerie für Kunsthandwerk der Smithsonian wiedereröffnet. Auf zwei Etagen präsentiert das Haus Arbeiten aus Textil, Keramik, Glas, Metall und Holz von US-amerikanischen Kunstschaffenden, mit dem Grand Salon als glanzvollem Mittelpunkt. Der Eintritt ist frei. Hinweis: Das Gebäude ist wegen Umbauarbeiten für die Ausstellung Handwerk: Zeitgenössisches Kunsthandwerk in der Renwick Gallery (Handwork: Contemporary Craft at the Renwick Gallery) bis zum 13. November 2026 für den Publikumsverkehr geschlossen.

What's On

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Permanent Collections

Plan Your Visit

Getting there

1661 Pennsylvania Avenue NW (Pennsylvania Avenue at 17th Street NW), Washington, DC 20006

Nearest station: Farragut West (Blue, Orange, Silver lines), Farragut North (Red line)

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Hours

Closed until 12 November

Closed to prepare for Handwork; reopens 13 November 2026

Mon10:00–17:30
Tue10:00–17:30
Wed10:00–17:30
Thu10:00–17:30
Fri10:00–17:30
SatToday10:00–17:30
Sun10:00–17:30

Admission

Free

Free admission, no tickets required.

Accessibility

Barrier-free ramp access at the 17th Street entrance; all areas of the building are served by elevators and accessible restrooms are located throughout. Strollers should also use the 17th Street ramp.

Nearby

National Museum of Women in the Arts

Design10 min walk

National Museum of African American History and Culture

ArtFree13 min walk

National Museum of American History

HistoryFree14 min walk

Smithsonian American Art Museum

ArtFree16 min walk

Visitor Information

Is Renwick Gallery free to visit?
Yes, general admission to Renwick Gallery is free. Free admission, no tickets required.. Some special exhibitions may charge a separate ticket, so check the museum's website before visiting.
What are the opening hours of Renwick Gallery?
Renwick Gallery is open Daily 10:00–17:30. Closed 25 December. Temporarily closed to the public until 13 November 2026 while the galleries are reinstalled for the exhibition Handwork: Contemporary Craft at the Renwick Gallery.. Holiday hours can vary, so check the museum's website before you go.
Where is Renwick Gallery?
Renwick Gallery is located at 1661 Pennsylvania Avenue NW (Pennsylvania Avenue at 17th Street NW), Washington, DC 20006, in the Lafayette Square area of Washington, DC. The nearest stations are Farragut West (Blue, Orange, Silver lines), Farragut North (Red line).
What can I see at Renwick Gallery?
Die Kunsthandwerk-Galerie der Smithsonian im „amerikanischen Louvre“ – dem ersten eigens als Kunstmuseum errichteten Gebäude der USA nahe dem White House. Current highlights include The Grand Salon, Handarbeit: Zeitgenössisches Kunsthandwerk in der Renwick Gallery (Handwork: Contemporary Craft at the Renwick Gallery).
Do I need to book Renwick Gallery in advance?
Renwick Gallery is free to enter and most days you can walk in. Free admission, no tickets required.. For special exhibitions, weekends, and school holidays, booking a timed slot can help you skip queues. Check the museum's website for current requirements.
When is the best time to visit Renwick Gallery?
Weekday mornings shortly after opening are typically the quietest, especially mid-week. Late afternoons can also be calmer. Weekends, school holidays, and the lunch rush are the busiest periods.
Is Renwick Gallery accessible?
Barrier-free ramp access at the 17th Street entrance; all areas of the building are served by elevators and accessible restrooms are located throughout. Strollers should also use the 17th Street ramp.

Ingfbruno / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)

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