WASHINGTON, DC.- The National Building Museum provides unprecedented access to thousands of artifacts that have been stored behind closed doors, some of them for decades. Visible Vault: Open Collections Storage is a new permanent exhibition that showcases both significant and commonplace historical artifacts ranging from the 1800’s to the present day. This exhibition offers a rare opportunity for visitors to experience the breadth and depth of the Museum's permanent collection, shedding light on America's architectural and design heritage in a dynamic, accessible way.


This practical primer is a handbook for decoding a building’s style, history, and evolution. Every building contains clues embedded in its design that identify not only its architectural style but also the story of who designed it, who it was built for, and why.


"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 features more than 2,500 artifacts that have previously been inaccessible due to their size, scope, and material complexity. This display 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. In addition to custom display cabinetry, the exhibition contains numerous file drawers that 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. The Museum will regularly rotate artifacts to share new acquisitions and work contributed by its partners.

Among the highlights of the exhibition are:

• 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.

A special highlight of Visible Vault is 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.


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