The Smithsonian Castle reopened for a limited period over Memorial Day weekend after much of a multiyear restoration. The 171-year-old National Mall landmark will stay open through Sept. 7, host a new exhibit next month, and then close again until 2027 as reno
On a holiday weekend, people poured onto the National Mall to see the Smithsonian Castle in a way they hadn’t been able to for much of the restoration: with the repairs visible rather than hidden.
The 171-year-old Smithsonian Castle—the oldest building in the Smithsonian Institution’s museum complex—reopened to visitors for a limited time over Memorial Day weekend after being closed for much of a multiyear restoration. This summer, the reopening is temporary. The castle is scheduled to remain open through Sept. 7 as preparation for the nation’s upcoming America 250 celebrations, then close again until 2027 as construction crews continue repairs and renovations.
For Abigail Clarke and her boyfriend. Baylor Barnett. it was their first visit to the castle. and their first taste of Washington after moving from Oklahoma last year to start their careers. During Memorial Day weekend. Clarke pointed to details that wouldn’t normally be part of the tour—exposed brick ceiling and newly cleaned marble columns.
“I like right now seeing the in-between of the renovations,” Clarke said, gesturing toward what looked unfinished, but deliberate.
Barnett said he was struck by the building’s bones. “I love these columns. I think it is marble or granite. It’s a really cool look,” he said. He also reflected on the contrast between age and upkeep. “The fact that this building is this old and is so immaculately maintained is so impressive.”
That mix—history on display, repairs in progress—also shaped how visitors talked about what comes next. Next month, the Castle will host the “American Aspirations” exhibit, featuring historical artifacts including President Thomas Jefferson’s desk and a flight suit worn by Amelia Earhart.
Clarke said she expects the castle to become part of her regular sightseeing routine once it returns to full access later in the renovation cycle. “I wish I could see a little more than this hall area, but I’ll be excitedly waiting for 2027, when I can see it all,” she said.
The weekend drew families and students from across the country. Lee Fehrenbacher. his wife and their three sons—ages 8. 6 and 1—drove from southern Indiana to visit the castle and other Smithsonian museums over Memorial Day weekend. They described themselves as history-focused before they ever set foot inside.
“We’re huge history buffs, all of us,” Fehrenbacher said. “We just like reading books about famous people from the past.”
Rowan Vance, 21, of Albuquerque, New Mexico, also made his first visit to the Castle. A criminal justice major at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff. he said he plans to come back when his schedule brings him to Washington again. “I’m looking forward to coming down here when I’m up here for my internship and checking it all out again. ” Vance said.
As the Smithsonian Castle’s doors opened for a short window. the message on the ground was clear: this visit is about more than walking into a landmark. It’s about seeing a historic building at a moment when the future of its preservation is written right into the walls—then waiting until 2027 for the full view.
Smithsonian Castle National Mall restoration America 250 Memorial Day weekend renovations Thomas Jefferson desk Amelia Earhart flight suit American Aspirations exhibit
So it’s open for like a week and then just closes again? DC tourism is confusing.
They keep “reopening” it like it’s brand new. I don’t get how they can be fixing it for YEARS then only let people see it for a few days. Kinda feels like a gimmick.
Wait this is the building with like the fake clock tower or whatever, right? America 250 is gonna be like a whole commercial for renovations. Also Sept 7 is literally my birthday so I’m lowkey mad it’s only for that long lol.
I saw a TikTok saying they reopened it already but then they’re closing until 2027… so is it even “open” or just open for photo ops. Memorial Day crowds always go wild. I think it’s cool you can see the exposed stuff, like unfinished but in a good way. But 2027 seems crazy far, like what were they doing before?