A drawing of the Galleries showing eight courtyards flanking a long avenue terminating in a large complex of Greek-style buildings next to the Potomac river — A drawing of the completed Galleries including the eight courts and the "American Acropolis" at the end. [Source: Design and Prospectus]

Everything, Everywhere, All at Once: Franklin W. Smith’s Attempt to Bring the Ancient World to D.C.

Isabel Sans

Where can you see lacy Arabic architecture, the tombs of ancient Romans, and artifacts from medieval France? Why, in Washington D.C., of course! Read about one man's dream to crown America's capital with all the centuries that came before it: by building the biggest, most audacious museum the world had ever seen.

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Last Updated: November 21, 2023