The Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery tells the stories of America through the individuals who have shaped U.S. culture. Through the visual arts, performing arts, and new media, the Portrait Gallery portrays poets and presidents, visionaries and villains, actors and activists who speak American history.
Location:
The museum is conveniently located at Eighth and F Streets, NW, D.C., 20001
Museum Hours:
11:30 a.m.-7:00 p.m. daily
Closed December 25
The National Portrait Gallery and the Smithsonian American Art Museum—two museums that tell America's stories through art, history and biography—share a newly renovated National Historic Landmark building in downtown Washington D.C. The Donald W. Reynolds Center for American Art and Portraiture, named in honor of a generous gift from the a Donald W. Reynolds Foundation, includes the two museums and their special-purpose facilities: the Lunder Conservation Center, the Luce Foundation Center for American Art, the Nan Tucker McEvoy Auditorium and the Robert and Arlene Kogod Courtyard.
The museums are conveniently located above the Gallery Place-Chinatown Metrorail station (Red, Yellow and Green lines). Metro hours, fare information, and maps are available at www.wmata.com. When exiting the Metro please take the Arena exit at 7th and F Streets.
The DC Circulator also serves the museums' Penn Quarter neighborhood. Hours, fare information and maps are available at www.dccirculator.com.
There are a few parking lots and ramps in the vicinity of the museums. For their location, please view this map.
Barrier-free access is available at G Street entrance. All areas of the museum are served by elevators. Wheelchairs are available. Please inquire at the Information Desk.
Please help us protect our artworks by not smoking, eating, or drinking in the galleries. Suitcases, large umbrellas, and all backpacks are not allowed in the galleries. Bag check is not offered, but free lockers are available for smaller items. Please limit the use of cellular phones when in the galleries. Bags, boxes, and packages may be inspected for security reasons upon entrance or exit.
Handheld photography and video for personal use are permitted in the permanent collection galleries, but not in special exhibitions or in the Lunder Conservation Center. No tripods are allowed. Commercial use must be pre-arranged with the museum's Public Affairs Office.
A wide variety of collection-inspired gifts, graphics, books and more are available in the museum's stores on the first floor. Open 11:30 a.m.-7:00 p.m.
To schedule an educator-led school program, visit the School Programs, 2007-2008 page or contact the School and Teacher Program Coordinator at whitebz@si.edu. Facilitated programs require one month's advance notice. Self-guided visits do not require reservations.
Phone: (202) 633-1000
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