Built between 1847 and 1865, this castle is the original building of the Smithsonian Institution. A bequest by a British scientist named James Smithson planted the seed that would eventually grow into today's great institution. He left most of his wealth to a nephew who died childless, thus invoking a provision in Smithson's will that his estate be passed "to the United States of America, to found at Washington, under the name of the Smithsonian Institution, an Establishment for the increase & diffusion of knowledge among men." President Andrew Jackson sent a diplomat to England to collect the bequest. The diplomat returned in 1838 with 105 sacks of gold sovereigns worth $500,000 at the time.
Great history and lovely photo of the building Karen! Somehow, modern buildings just don't quite capture the sense of style and ornateness of nineteenth century edifices.
