The building served as a hospital for wounded soldiers during the American Civil War.
Walt Whitman worked as a clerk in the Old Patent Office Building and wrote about his experiences there.
The Kogod Courtyard’s glass roof was designed by the firm Foster + Partners.
The gallery houses a 'Portrait of the Day' program to showcase diverse figures.
The collection includes the 'Lansdowne' portrait of George Washington, painted by Gilbert Stuart.
Abraham Lincoln’s second inaugural ball was held in the building’s Great Hall in 1865.
The museum holds an extensive collection of daguerreotypes from the 19th century.
Clara Barton, founder of the American Red Cross, worked in this building while seeking missing Civil War soldiers.
The National Portrait Gallery in Washington, D.C., is a Smithsonian museum dedicated to the art of biography, housing portraits of individuals who have shaped American history and culture. It shares the historic Old Patent Office Building with the Smithsonian American Art Museum. The museum features the nation's only complete collection of presidential portraits outside the White House. Its centerpiece is the Kogod Courtyard, a large indoor space covered by a distinctive undulating glass canopy. The collection spans multiple media, including paintings, photographs, sculptures, and digital media. Visitors can explore permanent exhibitions such as 'America’s Presidents' and 'Struggle for Justice'. The building itself is a National Historic Landmark notable for its Greek Revival architecture. The museum regularly rotates its displays to showcase its extensive archives. It serves as both an art gallery and a historical archive for the United States.
The Kogod Courtyard for the interplay of natural light and the geometric glass ceiling.
Visit the second floor first to see the presidential portraits, as they are the most popular exhibit.
Use the interactive portrait kiosks to learn about figures not currently on wall display.
Check the daily calendar for free docent-led tours that provide deeper historical context.
Attempting to see every exhibit in one visit, which can lead to fatigue; focus on specific historical eras instead.
Open daily, including weekends and most holidays; closed only on December 25.
Photography is permitted without flash; maintain a quiet voice in galleries.
