'The Smithsonians, Part 1: Foundations of American Architecture' Webinar

Tickets: $18.88 - $34.70 (fees included) (includes access to the full replay for one week)

Click the link below to officially register for this experience:

https://www.nyadventureclub.com/event/1981350228871

From red sandstone castles to soaring modern landmarks, the museums of the National Mall have always been more than just places to house objects — they’re monuments to what America chooses to value, preserve, and celebrate. What can the architecture of these iconic institutions, built over a span of more than 170 years, tell us about changing ideas of progress, national identity, and public memory? It's time for an in-depth exploration of the Smithsonian museums as a living timeline of American architecture — and a mirror of the country’s evolving ideals.

Join New York Adventure Club for a two-part virtual journey through the Smithsonian Institution and its neighboring museums, which together trace the evolution of American architecture, culture, and identity along the National Mall. In Part One: Founding to WWII, we’ll examine the earliest museum buildings — from the Gothic and Victorian to the Beaux-Arts and Neoclassical — and uncover how their styles and symbolism helped legitimize knowledge, science, and art in a growing republic.

Led by Carolyn Muraskin, architectural historian and founder of DC Design Tours, this unique experience will include:

• Smithsonian Castle & Garden – A Gothic castle made of red Seneca sandstone, designed to look scholarly and timeless as the headquarters of the largest museum complex in the world
• Arts and Industries Building – Once the Smithsonian’s main museum, filled with steam engines, inventions, and world’s-fair–style displays that celebrated American progress
• National Museum of Natural History – One of the largest museums in the world, built to make science feel grand, permanent, and worthy of a national stage in a stately Neoclassical home
• Freer Gallery of Art – The Smithsonian’s first purpose-built art museum (accepted somewhat reluctantly), whose refined early-20th-century design created an intimate, contemplative setting for Asian art
• United States Botanic Garden – An important part of the Mall’s early landscape, reflecting 19th-century ideas about science, nature, and learning in public spaces
• National Gallery of Art, West Building – John Russell Pope’s classical “temple of art,” privately funded and meticulously designed to rival Europe’s great museums

Afterward, we'll have a Q&A with Carolyn — any and all questions are welcomed and encouraged!
Can't make it live? Don't worry, you'll have access to the full replay through one week after the entire series concludes.
See you there, virtually!

*Immediately upon registering, you will receive a separate, automated email containing the link to join this webinar
**For the best possible viewing experience, please ensure you're using the latest version of your internet browser
***A full replay of the experience will be available to all registered guests for up to a week after the series finale
****If the event has already passed, but it's been less than a week since the series finale, you can still register for it on our website's active replay section!

About Carolyn
Founder and Owner, DC Design Tours
Carolyn Muraskin founded DC Design Tours in 2015 to share her passion for Washington DC’s design through walking, driving, bike, boat and virtual tours that uncover the city’s architectural secrets and surprising stories. A University of Maryland architecture grad and former designer, Carolyn worked on projects ranging from historic restorations to mixed-use developments.
Carolyn and her team lead architecture-focused tours across DC’s diverse neighborhoods—including Embassy Row, Capitol Hill, U Street, Georgetown, and Anacostia—designed for curious visitors of all backgrounds and interests. She has collaborated with institutions like the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the Smithsonian and has appeared on the Discovery Channel. Carolyn lives in Northwest DC and has a serious passion for all things brick, mortar, and design.

The Smithsonians, America’s Architectural Story Series
Part 1: Founding to WWII (Monday, February 23 @ 8:00pm ET)
Part 2: The Post-WWII Era (Monday, March 2 @ 8:00pm ET)

Disclaimer
By attending a New York Adventure Club experience, you accept our terms of service.
Categories: Virtual, Landmarks