Welcome to the National Building Museum, a cornerstone of architectural history and innovation nestled in the heart of Washington, D.C. This iconic building, completed in 1887, was initially constructed as the Pension Building, designed by Montgomery C. Meigs, the U.S. Army quartermaster general. Meigs, departing from the traditional Greco-Roman models, chose an Italian Renaissance style, drawing inspiration from Rome’s Palazzo Farnese. His design included a remarkable frieze by sculptor Caspar Buberl, portraying a continuous parade of Civil War soldiers—a tribute to the Union soldiers, sailors, and marines.
This building’s history is as grand as its architecture. It served as the headquarters for the United States Pension Bureau, a federal agency vital for distributing pensions to Civil War veterans and their families. Over time, its vast interior, with a central courtyard surrounded by towering Corinthian columns, became a favored venue for presidential inaugural balls, starting with Grover Cleveland in 1893.
In 1980, the building found new life as the National Building Museum, thanks to an Act of Congress. Since then, it has been a hub for exploring and celebrating architecture, design, engineering, and urban planning. The museum has hosted numerous notable events and exhibitions, including the annual Honor Award Gala, which recognizes significant contributions to the built environment. Recently, in 2025, the global architecture firm Gensler was honored for its six decades of innovative design.
Among the influential figures associated with the museum is Beverly Willis, an architect and advocate for women in architecture, who co-founded the museum and contributed significantly to its mission. Her legacy is celebrated within the museum, inspiring future generations to appreciate and contribute to the built environment.
Today, the National Building Museum continues to educate and engage visitors through exhibitions like ‘Capital Brutalism,’ which delves into the controversial yet culturally significant Brutalist architecture of Washington, D.C. This exhibition reflects the museum’s commitment to exploring complex architectural themes, fostering conversations about the role of architecture in society.
