Location

The Commission of Fine Arts (CFA) was established 100 years ago to advise the President and Congress on the design of the national capital and our national symbols. Made up of seven presidential appointees, the commission has been closely involved in the physical design of Washington, D.C., and the country's commemorative works—from the design of U.S. coins, medals, and military cemeteries to the realization of the national Mall as a memorial landscape and forum for political expression.

In this exhibition, explore how this design-focused federal agency has shaped Washington, D.C., from memorials that commemorate our history and define our national identity to the public parks and projects that enhance the city and help make it a desirable place to live, work, and play.

A Century of Design is made possible by the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts in celebration of its centennial.