My three charming companions.
Smithsonian Institution Building
It was the first Smithsonian building, completed in 1855 by architect James Renwick, Jr., whose other works include St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City and the Smithsonian’s Renwick Gallery in DC. Several reconstructions have taken place. The first followed a disastrous fire on January 24, 1865, which destroyed the upper story of the main segment and the north and south towers. In 1884, the east wing was fireproofed and enlarged to accommodate more offices. Remodeling from 1968 to 1969 restored the building to the Victorian atmosphere reminiscent of the era during which it was first inhabited.
National Museum of Natural History
Collections include over 125 million specimens of plants, animals, fossils, minerals, rocks, meteorites, and human cultural artifacts. Home to about 185 professional natural history scientists — the largest group of scientists of natural and cultural history in the world.
Established in 1910, designed in the neoclassical architectural style.
