National Building Museum

National Building Museum The National Building Museum is a cultural institution dedicated to the built environment. Est. 1980

OUR MISSION
The National Building Museum inspires curiosity about the world we design and build. OUR VISION
The National Building Museum educates, entertains, and engages people about the built environment and challenges them to advocate for a sustainable and equitable future. Since it was founded in 1980, the National Building Museum has transformed the public’s understanding of the impact of arc

hitecture, engineering, landscape architecture, construction, planning, and design. Through exhibitions, educational programs, and special events, we welcome visitors of all ages to experience stories about the built world and its power to shape our lives, our communities, and our futures. The Museum resides in the historic Pension Building, which contains one of the most awe-inspiring spaces in the nation’s capital: a soaring, expansive Great Hall featuring eight colossal Corinthian columns. On the exterior, a 1,200-foot-long terra cotta frieze wraps the building.

Our 2026 Gala brought together leaders, creators, and innovators for a night celebrating the power of design to shape th...
05/29/2026

Our 2026 Gala brought together leaders, creators, and innovators for a night celebrating the power of design to shape the world around us. ✨
 
We were proud to present our 2026 Honor Award to , recognizing their groundbreaking impact on the way the world is designed and made. Through their Design and Make Platform, Autodesk continues to empower architects, engineers, designers, builders, and creators to imagine and create the future of the built environment.
 
This year’s celebration was made even more memorable with a special appearance from the oversized letters featured in our Capital Letters campaign for THE PLAYGROUND, partying all night long! 🛝
 
While the Gala may be over, the Museum’s commitment to telling stories about the world we design and build continues every day through exhibitions, programs, and initiatives that inspire curiosity, creativity, and connection.

💡 Learn more about the Honor Award and upcoming programs at nbm.org.

It's hard to believe our final Future Friday of the season is almost here, but mark your calendars for Future Friday: Ch...
05/26/2026

It's hard to believe our final Future Friday of the season is almost here, but mark your calendars for Future Friday: Chattanooga on June 5, from 12-1 pm.

Moderated by James Darius Ball, this live conversation brings together Jon Jon Wesolowski, Shadrina Booker, and Dr. Mina Sartipi to explore Chattanooga’s remarkable transformation—from an industrial center into a hub for innovation in mobility, public space, and civic collaboration.

Together, they’ll discuss how residents, researchers, and civic leaders are shaping more equitable, connected, and future-ready cities.

➡️ Register here: orders.nbm.org/events/7c5df163-562a-63ee-30bf-0a40e73af35a

05/21/2026

THE FINAL LETTER IS IN 👀

officially arrived with the letter P, completing Operation Capital Letters once and for all.

Watch until the end to see what’s taking over our Great Hall this summer… we can’t wait to see you there. ☀️

🎥 /

05/21/2026

I think it’s safe to say our spelling game is almost over… Lauren just got another delivery this morning! 👀📦

05/20/2026

Special delivery 📦 👀

With a little help from our amazing friend, President + CEO of elliottfergusondc, another letter is officially on the move across the city.

Operation Capital letters continues… 🤫

🎥 /

05/19/2026

oh hey 👀 We definitely weren’t expecting a train delivery today… but the letter T has officially arrived at the museum.
T is for transit… or maybe something else...! 
More letters are on the way before the big reveal.

❤️Special thanks to for getting this to us!

🎥 /

05/18/2026

A is for 👀

Our board member Patrick Phillippi and his team helped us with this delivery as another letter made its way to the museum.
 
More letter drops are on the way…

🎥

05/15/2026

. Executive Assistant Lauren officially has no days off when it comes to these letters 👀

A U just made its way back to the Museum… and something tells us this won’t be the last delivery.

🎥 /

05/14/2026

New letter alert 🚨

, , and Pax have officially joined operation capital letters… and chaos may have followed shortly after.

Another letter has officially arrived 👀

📸

❤️ Thanks to for their help!

05/12/2026

The first letter is in… and it’s G. We’ve started distributing letters across the city, one by one. ’s had a surprise waiting at the office this morning… a very unexpected delivery. More letters and more clues are on the way. Stay tuned. 🤫

📹

05/08/2026

Something is in the works this summer with our friends at … and our President + Executive Director is in the middle of it all 👀 (With her Executive Assistant, Lauren, of course.) We’ll be sharing clues over the next few weeks. But can you figure out what she’s cooking up? 🤨

📸

Address

401 F Street NW
Washington D.C., DC
20001

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 5pm
Thursday 10am - 5pm
Friday 10am - 5pm
Saturday 10am - 5pm
Sunday 10am - 5pm

Website

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