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National Building Museum

ArchitectureDesignHistoryClosed todayFrom $10Judiciary Square (Metro Red Line, directly across the street)

Installé dans le monumental Pension Building en briques rouges de 1887 — conçu par le quartier-maître général Montgomery C. Meigs dans un style néo-Renaissance inspiré des palais romains —, le National Building Museum est l'institution américaine de référence dédiée à l'architecture, au design, à l'ingénierie, à la construction et à l'urbanisme. Son spectaculaire Great Hall, long de près de 100 mètres sur 35 mètres de large, est rythmé par huit colonnes corinthiennes colossales de près de 23 mètres de haut et de 2,4 mètres de diamètre, chacune maçonnée avec quelque 70 000 briques et peinte en trompe-l'œil pour imiter le marbre de Sienne. L'édifice a été classé National Historic Landmark en 1985, tandis que le musée lui-même a vu le jour grâce à une loi du Congrès en 1980 en tant qu'organisme privé à but non lucratif. Aux côtés d'expositions permanentes sur l'habitat, l'architecture en LEGO et la littérature jeunesse, le lieu propose des expositions temporaires ainsi qu'une célèbre installation estivale monumentale au cœur du Great Hall.

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Plan Your Visit

Getting there

401 F Street NW, Washington, DC 20001, United States

Nearest station: Judiciary Square (Metro Red Line, directly across the street), Gallery Place–Chinatown (Metro Red/Yellow/Green lines, two blocks west)

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Hours

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Admission

From $10

Youth and seniors $7; members free. The Great Hall and Museum Shop can be visited free of charge. Free admission via Museums for All (SNAP/EBT) and Blue Star Museums for active-duty military families.

Nearby

National Portrait Gallery

ArtFree5 min walk

Smithsonian American Art Museum

ArtFree5 min walk

National Archives Museum

ArchitectureFree8 min walk

National Gallery of Art

ArtFree8 min walk

Visitor Information

How much does National Building Museum cost?
Standard adult admission to National Building Museum is $10. Youth and seniors $7; members free. The Great Hall and Museum Shop can be visited free of charge. Free admission via Museums for All (SNAP/EBT) and Blue Star Museums for active-duty military families.. Prices for special exhibitions and timed-entry slots may differ.
What are the opening hours of National Building Museum?
National Building Museum is open Thursday to Monday 10:00-17:00; closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Also closed on Thanksgiving (26 November 2026) and Christmas Day (25 December 2026). The Great Hall and Museum Shop are free to enter.. Holiday hours can vary, so check the museum's website before you go.
Where is National Building Museum?
National Building Museum is located at 401 F Street NW, Washington, DC 20001, United States, in the Judiciary Square area of Washington, DC. The nearest stations are Judiciary Square (Metro Red Line, directly across the street), Gallery Place–Chinatown (Metro Red/Yellow/Green lines, two blocks west).
What can I see at National Building Museum?
Aménagé dans l'ancien Pension Building érigé par Montgomery Meigs en 1887, ce musée dévoile un colossal Great Hall en briques qui accueille des expositions consacrées à l'architecture, au design et à la fabrique de la ville. Current highlights include Se rassembler : Réinventer les centres-villes américains (Coming Together: Reimagining America's Downtowns), Une vie meilleure pour leurs enfants : Julius Rosenwald, Booker T. Washington et les 4 978 écoles qui ont changé l'Amérique (A Better Life for Their Children: Julius Rosenwald, Booker T. Washington, and the 4,978 Schools that Changed America), Mini-souvenirs (Mini Memories).
Do I need to book National Building Museum in advance?
Booking ahead is recommended, especially for weekends, school holidays, and special exhibitions. Tickets are normally on the museum's website, and a pre-booked timed slot helps you avoid queues at the entrance.
When is the best time to visit National Building Museum?
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.

APK, via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 4.0)

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