Location

The National Building Museum tells the stories of the world we design and build. We’re one of the most “family-friendly,” “awe-inspiring” spots in Washington, D.C. We’re a short walk from the National Mall, the Verizon Center, and Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C.’s Penn Quarter.

The Museum offers something for everyone, from children to design buffs to building professionals. The engaging exhibitions and all-ages programming showcase architecture, engineering, construction, planning, and more.

The exhibits range from world- famous structures built entirely of LEGO bricks to Designing Tomorrow: America’s World’s Fairs of the 1930s. Long-term exhibitions include Cityscapes Revealed: Highlights from the Collection, which offers a comprehensive survey of the museum's permanent collection, and Washington: Symbol and City reveals how Washington, DC’s built environment reflects the complexity of its role as a national symbol and an evolving municipality.
The National Building Museum occupies a magnificent, historic structure with a soaring Great Hall, colossal Corinthian columns, and 1,200-foot terra cotta frieze. We’re connected to the Civil War because Civil War veterans collected their pensions in our historic building.

Learn about the Museum’s historic home during a free docent-led tour, offered daily. Docents also lead tours of exhibitions.

Come for family-friendly activities. Explore the Museum with a special tool kit, build a seven-foot arch, or build in the Building Zone. The Building Zone is geared for kids ages 2-6.

Our Shop has been named “Best All-Around Museum Shop.” Browse the Shop’s unparalleled selection of design books, house wares, educational games and toys, and more. Also enjoy our Museum Café.

National Building Museum Recruits for Historic Building Docents

The National Building Museu is recruiting for Historic Building Docents. Opportunities are now available to join the Museum’s historic building docent program, a dynamic and engaged group of individuals who are as committed to the building arts as you are. As a Historic Building Docent, volunteers are able to share with visitors the story of our historic home in a unique and personal way that is not done elsewhere in the Museum.

A two-year commitment to the Museum’s Volunteer Program is required. In addition, Historic Building Docents are required to lead two tours a month or twenty-four a year. Docents are allowed to miss two sessions—with advanced notice—but January 24, February 4, and March 3 are mandatory. Tours will be approximately forty-five minutes in length and are offered to the public seven days a week at 11:30am, 12:30pm, and 1:30pm. For more information and to apply visit: http://www.nbm.org/support-us/volunteer/.