The Octagon Museum

at 1799 New York Ave NW, Washington , 20006 United States

One of the oldest buildings in DC, temporary White House for the Madisons from 1814 to 1815, and headquarters of AIA from 1898 to 1970.

Address and contacts of The Octagon Museum

place map
The Octagon Museum
1799 New York Ave NW
Washington , DC 20006
United States
Email
Contact Phone
P: (202) 626-7439
Website
http://www.octagonmuseum.org

Description

Completed in 1801 for John Tayloe III of Mount Airy, VA and his wife Ann Ogle Tayloe, and designed by William Thornton, the original architect of the U.S. Capitol, the Octagon is one of the most significant and elegant buildings to remain standing from the early federal city. The Octagon served as the temporary White House for the Madisons after the British burned Washington in 1814 during the War of 1812. After the Tayloe family moved out in 1855, the house served as a girls' school, the offices of the US Hydrographic Office, an a tenement apartment building. Finally, in 1898, the American Institute of Architects selected the building to be their national headquarters, and they continued to use the building as such until 1970. Today, the Octagon is operated as a museum by the AIA Foundation, and features guided and self-guided tours, changing exhibitions, and public programing.

Opening time

  • Thursdays: 13:00- 16:00
  • Fridays: 13:00- 16:00
  • Saturdays: 13:00- 16:00

Specialities

Price category
$ (0-10)

General Info

The Octagon is open for free self-guided tours Thursday through Saturday, 1:00 - 4:00 pm. Private tours for groups of 5 or more may be arranged outside these hours by emailing or calling us ($10/adults, $5/students)

Company Rating

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Summary

The Octagon Museum is Washington based place and this enity listed in History Museum category. Located at 1799 New York Ave NW DC 20006. Contact phone number of The Octagon Museum: (202) 626-7439

Museum & Art Gallery category, Washington

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The National Museum of American History: Kenneth E. Behring Center collects, preserves and displays the heritage of the United States in the areas of social, political, cultural, scientific and military history. Among the items on display are the original Star-Spangled Banner and Archie Bunker's chair. The museum is part of the Smithsonian Institution and located on the National Mall at 14th Street and Constitution Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C.HistoryThe museum opened in 1964 as the Museum of History and Technology. It was one of the last structures designed by the renowned architectural firm McKim Mead & White. In 1980, the museum was renamed the National Museum of American History to represent its mission of the collection, care, study, and interpretation of objects that reflect the experience of the American people.In May 2012, John Gray was announced as the new director.RenovationsThe museum underwent an $85 million renovation from September 5, 2006 to November 21, 2008, during which time it was closed. Skidmore, Owings and Merrill provided the architecture and interior design services for the renovation. Major changes made during the renovation include: A new, five-story sky-lit atrium, which is surrounded by displays of artifacts that showcase the breadth of the museum's collection. A new, grand staircase that links the museum's first and second floors. A new welcome center, and the addition of six landmark objects to orient visitors. New galleries, such as the Jerome and Dorothy Lemelson Hall of Invention. An environmentally controlled chamber to protect the original Star-Spangled Banner. In 2012, the museum began a $37 million renovation of the west wing to add new exhibition spaces, public plazas and an education center. The renovation will also include panoramic windows overlooking the National Mall on all three floors and new interactive features to the exhibits. The first floor of the west wing will reopen on July 1, 2015 with the second and third floors of the west wing reopening in 2016 and 2017, respectively.