For the first time in years, one of the District’s most historic Smithsonian buildings is reopening its doors to the public for a limited-time summer return.
The Smithsonian’s Arts and Industries Building will reopen on June 16, 2026, giving visitors a rare chance to step inside the institution’s second-oldest building and explore special exhibitions, cultural programs, and public events tied to the nation’s 250th anniversary.
The reopening is part of the Smithsonian’s Our Shared Future: 250 initiative, which commemorates the United States’ semiquincentennial and encourages visitors to reflect on the country’s past while imagining its future.
But visitors won’t have long to experience it.
The building will only remain open through September 7, 2026, making this one of the most anticipated limited-run Smithsonian experiences of the year.
What is the Arts and Industries Building, and why is it so significant?
Opened in 1881, the Arts and Industries Building was the nation’s first U.S. National Museum and remains the Smithsonian Institution’s second-oldest building.
According to the Smithsonian, it served as the starting point for nearly every Smithsonian museum that exists today.
Over the decades, millions of visitors passed through its halls to see groundbreaking innovations and historic artifacts, including Thomas Edison’s lightbulb, the first telephone, dinosaur fossils, and early space-age rockets.
The building even hosted President James Garfield’s inaugural ball in 1881.
Located on the National Mall, the landmark structure is widely considered one of the Smithsonian’s most important historic spaces.
Its reopening offers visitors a chance to experience a building that helped shape the modern American museum system.
For many Washington-area residents and visitors, this will be the first opportunity in years to explore the iconic interior during regular public hours.
When is the Arts and Industries Building reopening?
The Arts and Industries Building will reopen to the public on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, and remain open daily through Monday, September 7, 2026.
The Smithsonian says the building will operate from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily throughout its limited summer season.
The reopening marks the first time the building has welcomed visitors during regular public hours since 2004.
The temporary return is being staged in honor of America’s 250th anniversary, with the Smithsonian transforming the historic building into a gathering place for exhibitions, performances, conversations, and community programming.
Because the reopening lasts less than three months, visitors interested in seeing the building may want to plan their trip before Labor Day weekend brings the experience to a close.
What will be on display inside the Arts and Industries Building?
The centerpiece exhibition will be “Voices and Votes: Exploring Democracy Across America,” a special edition of the Smithsonian’s traveling Museum on Main Street exhibition that examines civic participation, representation, and the evolution of democracy in the United States.
Visitors will also find displays featuring handmade works and cultural traditions highlighted through past Smithsonian Folklife Festivals, along with a seasonal Folklife Marketplace and performance stage showcasing artists, makers, and cultural practitioners from across the country.
Throughout the summer, the building will host public conversations, demonstrations, and special events connected to America’s 250th anniversary.
A major Smithsonian Family Day celebration is scheduled for July 25, featuring live music, dance performances, historical reenactors, educational activities, and hands-on experiences for all ages.
Together, the exhibitions and programs are designed to transform the historic building into a living space for exploring both America’s history and its future during this milestone anniversary year.
