Tour of the Smithsonian Castle

The Smithsonian Institution Building (Castle) is a National Historic Landmark on the National Mall. When completed in 1855, the Castle housed all the Smithsonian’s operations including research and administrative offices, lecture and exhibition halls, library, laboratories, collections storage, and living quarters. The Castle’s interior spaces have undergone many modifications as the Smithsonian expanded. The Castle closed to the public in 2023 in preparation for a comprehensive rehabilitation project. This project will restore the building exterior and interior, install efficient building systems, update the Visitor Center and amenities, mitigate seismic vulnerability, and revitalize an iconic building for a century of further use.

Come enjoy a behind-the-scenes tour before construction starts. The Castle is not accessible, and tour participants must be able to climb stairs. Tour participants will have to complete a security bag check.