Visit to Reynolds Center for American Art & Portraiture in Washington, DC.

In early June on our trip to Washington DC, I spent some time at the Reynolds Center for American Art & Portraiture which contains the National Portrait Gallery and the American Art Museum, both divisions of the Smithsonian Institution.  The Reynolds Center was created from the Old U.S. Patent Office, a block-square building in the Greek Revival style completed in 1865 after more than 14 scandal-plagued years of on-and-off construction.  It was the site of Lincoln's second inaugural ball in that same year.  The Doric colonnades at the center of each side of the building are said to have the same proportions as the Parthenon in Athens. 

Central Doric Colonnade at center of F Street facade.  Photo from Smithsonian Institution

In 1968 the Patent Office was repurposed as the home of the Smithsonian Institution's National Portrait Gallery and American Art Museum.  The Center closed for much needed repairs and renovations in 2001.  It reopened in 2006 and 2007 after a complete reconditioning and the addition of an undulating glass and metal canopy covering the interior courtyard (the Kogod Courtyard) designed by Sir Norman Foster. 

Kogod Courtyard designed by Sir Norman Foster, Reynolds Center of American Art &
Portraiture.  Photo by McClure

The discussion, debate and approval process for the canopy cost the Smithsonian tens of millions due to delays, reversals and reconfigurations, but ultimately resulted in a dynamic space which attracts both tourists and event planners.  Caterers were busy setting up the courtyard for an event the evening of my visit.

Foster's courtyard canopy interfaces with the facade of the south wing.  Photo by McClure

Intrigued by the stained glass windows in the round bay of the south wing, I went up to the third floor for a better view.  The beautifully restored Great Hall in the center of the third floor was also being set up by caterers for a seated dinner that evening.

The Great Hall with original 1860's Greek Revival details and skylight.
Photo by McClure

Spreading out on either side of the Great Hall are galleries for the display of art and portraits and above them on mezzanines are the open storage facilities of the Henry Luce Foundation Center where scholars of history and art can research the portions of the Center's collections not currently on display in the galleries.

Third floor of the south wing looking west through the Great Hall.
The Luce Foundation Center's open storage facilities are on the mezzanine.
Photo by McClure

The Reynolds Center is one of several monumental federal buildings that have been successfully repurposed as tourist sites, including the the Old Pension Building from 1887 which became the National Building Museum in 1997; the Old Post Office Pavilion on Pennsylvania Avenue from 1899 which became a food court and mall in 1983 and is now being renovated by the Trump Organization into a luxury hotel; and, of course, the General Post Office built in 1842, later became the Tariff Commission Building and now is the Kimpton Monaco Hotel -- where we stayed on our June trip.