National Building Museum

This brick structure was erected between 1882 and 1887 as the U. S. Pension Bureau and as a memorial to Union soldiers.  The architect was General Meigs (Civil War) who was also Quartermaster General of the U. S. Army under President Lincoln.  He wanted a building that promoted a healthy work environment so he designed an air flor plan that allowed fresh air to enter through a gap in the bricks beneath each window.

The 3 missing bricks under each window are visible in this photo. 

In the photos below you can see the 75 foot high columns.  Each one contains over 70,000 bricks and they are covered in plaster and painted to look like marble.  This Great Hall has hosted many Inaugural Balls, and while we were there you can see the Craft Fair going on in one of the photos below.