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Renwick Gallery

ArtDesignArchitectureClosed todayFreeFarragut West (Blue, Orange, Silver lines)

The Renwick is the Smithsonian American Art Museum's branch for contemporary craft and decorative art, on Lafayette Square a block from the White House. James Renwick Jr. designed it in 1859 for the banker William Wilson Corcoran in the Second Empire style he had admired at the Louvre, making it the first building in the United States raised expressly as an art museum; "Dedicated to Art" is still carved above the door and Senator Charles Sumner dubbed it "the American Louvre". Saved from demolition by a campaign led by Jacqueline Kennedy in 1962 and reopened as a Smithsonian craft gallery in 1972, it shows fibre, ceramics, glass, metal and wood by American makers across two floors, with the Grand Salon as its centrepiece. Admission is free. Note: the building is temporarily closed to the public until 13 November 2026 while it is reinstalled for the exhibition Handwork: Contemporary Craft at the Renwick Gallery.

What's On

Now
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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
ThuToday10:00–17:30
Fri10:00–17:30
Sat10:00–17:30
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?
The Smithsonian's craft gallery in the 'American Louvre', the first US building raised expressly as an art museum, near the White House. Current highlights include The Grand Salon, 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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