Temple of Invention: History of a National Landmark

Features

• Cover Type: Paperback with 112 pages
• Published by: Scala Publishers August 25, 2006
• Written in: English
• ISBN 10 Number: 1857593855
• ISBN 13 Number: 978-1857593853
• Book Dimensions: 8.9 x 8.7 x 0.4 inches
• Weighs: 1 pounds

Product Description
The Smithsonian American Art Museum, along with the National Portrait Gallery, occupies the historic Patent Office Building, re-opening in 2006. One of the finest neoclassical structures in the world, its Greek Revival design dates from 1836. Completed in 1867 as the third Federal building in Washington, DC, this national landmark was hailed by Walt Whitman as 'the noblest of Washington buildings'. Several important early American architects were involved in the original design of the building. Here inventors such as Alexander Graham Bell and Thomas Edison obtained title to their work. During the Civil War, it served initially as temporary barracks, hospital and morgue, and, in 1865, as the site of Abraham Lincoln's second inaugural ball. In 1958, the Smithsonian acquired the building, saving it from demolition. An architectural adaptation gave it new life, and in 1968 the Smithsonian American Art Museum opened to the public. The new renovation will include a glass courtyard atrium designed by the

Reader Reviews
I must confess that one of the reasons I wanted to read this book is because I am an employee of the modern Patent Office (now located in Alexandria, VA). But I had also heard rave reviews of the "old" Patent Office Building across the river, especially since the completion of the recent renovations, so I was even more curious about the history of this building. This book details both the early history of the U.S. Patent Office and the building that would house it for almost a century. It is the story of a building conceived out of grand ideals, and which formed the center of a long and bitter personal feud. In addition to housing the Patent Office, it has also housed a number of other government agencies, and was home to the first of Washington's many museums. Its a shame that this book is so brief, as it would be interesting to explore many aspects of the life of this building in more depth. In particular, its role as a barracks and hospital during the Civil War are covered in just three pages, which hardly seems to do justice to this period. The book does a good job of providing an overview of the building's history, but more detail would have been appreciated. Comment | | (Report this)