‘Visible Vault’ Puts Rare Items on Display at National Building Museum

Did you know that the National Building Museum maintains a permanent collection of historic artifacts dating back to the 1800s? A new exhibit at the Museum is now showcasing items from that collection that were — until now — too large, too complex, or too delicate to display.

VISIBLE VAULT: Open Collections Storage is like an architectural treasure hunt including perspectives from architects, designers, and builders—past, present, and future. 

More than 2,500 items rarely on public display are now offered with unprecedented access.

“By bringing thousands of artifacts—many of which have never been on display—out of storage, we are not only celebrating America’s architectural and design legacy, but also transforming how we engage with and understand the built environment,” said Aileen Fuchs, president and executive director of the Museum.

“Every artifact has a fascinating story and we are excited to share them with the public. By opening our vaults and allowing visitors to do a deeper dive using digital tools, we are creating a more inclusive experience that invites audiences to explore, learn, and connect with the history of the places and spaces that shape our lives.”

VISIBLE VAULT represents highlights from the Museum’s massive collection of 500,000 artifacts and includes objects such as architectural blueprints and models, bricks, plaster molds, photographs, building fragments, toy collections, souvenir buildings, drafting tools, and historical building equipment. Visitors are encouraged to open to discover light-sensitive pieces like drawings, construction toys in their original boxes, and small items like product samples and dollhouse furniture.

Some of the must-not-miss items include:

• Architectural models of iconic structures like I.M. Pei’s Miho Museum in Kyoto, César Pelli’s Herring Hall at Rice University, and Frank Gehry’s proposed addition to the Corcoran Gallery of Art.

• Architectural fragments from famous structures including the Carnegie Mansion, the original Helen Hayes Theater, the Steuben Club Building, and Washington National Cathedral.

• An entire room dedicated to tools of various building trades from different eras, including woodworking planes, sheet metal snips, plaster knives, masonry pointers, saws, chisels, and early power tools.

• An antique blueprint machine.

• Objects from when the Museum housed the Pension Bureau in the 1880’s including the original wooden sign, shoes and materials found underneath the floors, original construction materials, and mementos from Inaugural Balls held in the building, including the first one in 1889.

• Models and maquettes from renowned Washington, D.C artist, Raymond Kaskey’s public art projects. Kaskey is known for his work on the Portlandia statue in Portland, Oregon, the World War II Memorial, and the National Law Enforcement Memorial.

• Items from the Museum’s beloved Architectural Toy Collection, the largest collection of building toys in America, which includes over 100 years of educational play materials, such as Lincoln Logs (designed by Frank Lloyd Wright’s son, John Lloyd Wright), LEGO® brick sets, Erector Sets, Froebel’s Kindergarten Bricks, dollhouses including the Petite Princess collection from the 1960’s, and specialty items like Walt Disney Frontier Logs and Meccano models.

And the best part is that there will often be new items to see! The Museum will regularly rotate artifacts to share new acquisitions and work contributed by its partners.

The National Building Museum is open Thursday–Monday, 10 am–4 pm. Entry $10/Adult, $7/Youth & Seniors.