Smithsonian American Art Museum
fine arts museum in Washington, D.C., a division of the Smithsonian Institution / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Smithsonian American Art Museum (commonly known as SAAM, and formerly the National Museum of American Art) is a museum in Washington, D.C.. It is part of the Smithsonian Institution.
Quick Facts Established, Location ...
Established | 1829[1] |
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Location | 8th and F Streets NW, Washington, D.C.[2] |
Type | Art museum |
Visitors | 1.1 million (2022) [3] |
Website | americanart |
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The collection began in 1846. Congress declared that there should be "a gallery of art" as part of the Smithsonian Institution.[4] By 1968 the collection was moved to the current location.[5] It is in the building that was built in the early 1800s. It is called the Old Patent Office Building. SAAM is located in the same building as the National Portrait Gallery.[6]
In 1972, the Renwick Gallery opened. It is a branch of SAAM that exhibits to design and crafts. It is in a historic building near the White House.[7]