The Smithsonian Institution said Thursday that its iconic first building, known as the Castle for its elaborate architecture, will close Feb. 1 for a five-year renovation.

As part of the Smithsonian Castle Revitalization Project, workers on Jefferson Drive uncovered a massive brick-lined cistern.

The Great Hall of the Castle (pictured in 1969) has housed exhibits, a library, special events and a visitor information center. Smithsonian Institution Archives The Smithsonian Castle has been a ...

The Smithsonian Institution Building will close Feb. 1 for the first major renovation to the Castle since the late 1960s, officials announced Thursday.

WASHINGTON (DC News Now) — The Smithsonian Institution said its iconic “Castle” would close at the start of February in order to undergo its first major renovation in more than 50 years. The ...

Residents and visitors in the District have one week left to visit the Smithsonian Institution Building known as the Smithsonian Castle.

The doors to the landmarked “Castle” in Washington, D.C. will be shuttered starting February 1 for an anticipated five-year renovation. During this period, the Smithsonian Institution Building, a ...

The Castle will close on February 1 for its first major renovation in 50 years. (Courtesy Smithsonian Institution) ...

The Castle, located at 1000 Jefferson Dr. S.W., currently houses the Smithsonian’s Visitor Center, a café, a gift shop and a small exhibit featuring a sampling of Smithsonian artifacts. It is ...

The Castle, of course, has evolved in its purpose, and the Smithsonian has grown enormously over the past 150 years since that fire (21 museums and galleries, nine research facilities and a Zoo).

On Feb. 1, the Castle will close while crews work on the first major renovation to the building in more than 50 years.

For the first time in over 50 years, the Smithsonian Institution Building, better known as the “Castle” on the National Mall, is getting a facelift. That means a 5-year closure of the building.