Great Hall of Smithsonian Castle Opens to Public

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Object Details

Subject

Henry, Joseph 1797-1878

Metropolitan Mechanics' Institute

Smithsonian Institution Building (Washington, D.C.)

Notes

Engraving of the Great Hall in the Smithsonian Institution Building or Castle, c. 1857. Smithsonian Institution Archives, negative number 91-17967.

Source cited is the earliest known instance of the use of "Great Hall" to describe the ground floor of the Smithsonian Institution Building. A logbook containing the minutes of the Metropolitan Mechanics Institute in located in the Smithsonian Institution Archives.

W.W. Turner to J.R. Bartlett, January 31, 1855, J.C. Brown Library, Brown University (copy JHP 24500)

Summary

The Great Hall of the Smithsonian Institution Building is opened to the public, occupied by the Metropolitan Mechanics' Institute fair. Secretary Joseph Henry is the president of the Institute.

Contact information

Institutional History Division, Smithsonian Institution Archives, 600 Maryland Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20024-2520, SIHistory@si.edu

Date

February 8, 1855

Data Source

Smithsonian Archives - History Div

Topic

Buildings

Smithsonian Institution Building--Early History

Fairs

Openings

Special events

Metadata Usage

Usage conditions apply

Record ID

siris_sic_239