The intimate feeling of the Phillips Collection is captured in this photo from the early 1920s, just after the museum opened. (Source: Library of Congress)

The intimate feeling of the Phillips Collection is captured in this photo from the early 1920s, just after the museum opened. (Source: Library of Congress)

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America's First Modern Art Museum Was in a Dupont Circle Townhouse

Washington DC
 by
Katherine Brodt

The country’s first modern art museum was established in 1921 in a Dupont Circle townhouse. And since the Phillips Collection recently celebrated its centenary, it’s a great time to remind Washingtonians that their city has a rich art history — largely exemplified by the story of this museum.

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Last Updated: February 15, 2025