National Historic Landmarks: Historic Downtown Washington
Downtown Washington is a hub of activity—and has been since the establishment of D.C. as the nation’s capital city in 1800. This neighborhood has provided the geographic link between the executive branch, the White House, and the legislative branch, Capitol Hill. Therefore, with its proximity to Pennsylvania Avenue, the longtime route of the inaugural parade, it has attracted many important institutions, including the Treasury Building, the Old Patent Office (now National Portrait Gallery), and the Pension Building (now National Building Museum). Additionally, many grand buildings have been constructed just west of the White House, from Octagon House to the Corcoran Gallery.
With this tour of National Historic Landmarks (NHLs) in Downtown Washington, take a trip back in time to get a glimpse of early Washington and to see preserved buildings designated as significant for their contributions to American history. Consider how these sites connect to the story of America, and what nationally-significant sites along the way may be missing. This tour can be completed by walking, public transport, or car. It is advised to map out your route to determine distance before beginning.
NHLs are ultimately designated by the Secretary of the Interior, upon the recommendation of the National Park System Advisory Board, and are evaluated based on their history, integrity of the property, and their value to the broader American historical narrative. There are currently around 2,600 NHLs, with 78 in the District alone.
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National Archives Building: The National Archives serves as the repository of the most valuable and rare paper documents of the United States, such as the Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution.
Throughout the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, US government agencies and branches were responsible for maintaining their own documents, often resulting in the loss and destruction of…
Old City Hall (District of Columbia Court of Appeals): The Old City Hall was the first public building that the federal government erected for the District of Columbia.
The first building constructed by the federal government for Washington, DC, the Old City Hall began construction in 1820, after designs by architect George Hadfield. Construction proceeded fitfully…
Pension Building (National Building Museum): Built between 1882 and 1887, the Pension Building served as the headquarters for the first federal agency to support U.S. veterans.
Built between 1882 and 1887, the Pension Building now houses the National Building Museum and is significant for both its architecture and place in the nation’s history. The Pension Building was…
General Post Office (General Land Office): Built in two stages from 1839 to 1866, the building is the work of Robert Mills and Thomas U. Walter, two of the most noted 19th-century American architects.
This beautifully scaled and finely detailed building, with exceptionally fine interiors, is a tour de force of restrained neo-classical design and an outstanding example of American civil…
Old Patent Office: One of the finest Greek Revival structures in the nation, the Patent Office is now home to the National Portrait Gallery and National Museum of American Art.
While it’s currently the National Portrait Gallery and the Smithsonian American Art Museum, the Old Patent Office reflects an era when scientific invention propelled the American economy and began to…
Treasury Department: The Treasury building is the home of the federal government’s second oldest department, established in 1789.
Built between 1836 and 1869, the Treasury Department building is the work of five major American architects—Robert Mills, Thomas U. Walter, Ammi B. Young, Isaiah Rogers, and Alfred B. Mullett.…
The White House: The first public building to be erected in Washington, the White House has been the home of every U.S. president since John Adams.
The White House is recognized around the world as the symbol of the presidency. It is associated with countless occasions of state, has housed the president’s staff and visiting dignitaries, and has…
State, War and Navy Building (Old Executive Office Building; Eisenhower Building): This administrative building is distinguished by its purple-grey Virginia granite walls and slate mansard roofs.
The State, War and Navy Building was built just west of the White House, between 1871 and 1888, to designs by architect Alfred B. Mullett. Like the Greek Revival style Treasury Department Building to…
Corcoran Gallery of Art (and Interiors): Since its founding in 1869, the Corcoran Gallery of Art has been a major proponent of American art and painting.
Founded in 1869 by Washington philanthropist William Wilson Corcoran, the Corcoran Gallery of Art was originally located at the corner of 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue. Rapid growth forced the…
Octagon House (John Tayloe House): The Octagon is noteworthy for both its innovative architecture and its historical inhabitants.
Funded by one of the newly created Federal City’s leading families, Octagon House was physically constructed with enslaved labor. Originally built between 1799 and 1800 as a town residence for Colonel…
American Red Cross National Headquarters: The American Red Cross, the nation's largest official relief organization, is headquartered on this property.
The American Red Cross was founded by Clara Barton in 1881 and chartered by Congress in 1900. The building was built as a memorial to the women of the Civil War thanks to U.S. and private funds. It…
Constitution Hall, Daughters of the American Revolution: The auditorium of the Daughters of the American Revolution's Constitution Hall became a hotspot in DC's cultural life.
Built and owned by the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, Constitution Hall was designed by eminent architect John Russell Pope in 1924 in a Neoclassical style. Constructed between…
Memorial Continental Hall, Daughters of the American Revolution: For over a century, this building has served as the headquarters of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
Memorial Continental Hall is the monumental headquarters of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, founded in 1890 for patriotic, historic, and educational purposes and…
Pan American Union Headquarters: This was the first major commission in the careers of architects Paul Philippe Cret and Albert P. Kelsey.
The Pan American Union is the home of the world's oldest international association, founded in 1890 to foster cultural and commercial ties among the Western Hemisphere republics. It serves as a focal…Tour curated by: DC Preservation League