Looking for an event venue that captures the historic essence of Washington, DC? The Smithsonian Institution Arts and Industries Building is the second oldest of the Smithsonian museums on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. It was built between April 1879 and March 1881 and is “the nation’s best-preserved example of nineteenth-century world’s fair or exposition architecture.” This beloved museum is sure to fit the bill for your upcoming conference.

Fun fact: this building was designed with a unique architectural purpose in mind. During the Smithsonian’s original build, the building was made to be fireproof in order to protect all of the nation’s collections which were held in the building. They used brick, wrought iron, tile, and slate—which add beautiful texture and detail from a creative perspective, making it one of our favorite venues to photograph. 

Originally, the building was made to only be one story tall, but as it began to attract more visitors, a second story was added for an additional 50,000 square feet. Adolf Cluss’s vision for the Smithsonian was to provide visitors with an abundance of natural light by incorporating several windows. Even through several remodels and renovations, they’ve maintained the gorgeous light and airy feel.

Capital City Events, Inc. put together an incredible Washington DC Conference here. It was such a pleasure to attend and take part in viewing this beautiful, historic building. We hope you enjoy viewing these photos from this spectacular event and that the images provide you with some inspiration for yournext event or conference!

As Washington DC conference photographers, we strive to capture the beauty in both the grand moments and the details in order to provide you with a stunning, realistic collection of photos from your event. Share them, showcase them, or use them for marketing! We’d love to connect with you!