Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery & American Art Museum in Washington DC

About this activity

Discover the rich history and art of Washington, DC, on this 2.5-hour semi-private guided tour. Located in the historic Old Patent Office Building, the tour explores the National Portrait Gallery and the American Art Museum, accommodating up to ten guests. Once a Civil War hospital where Walt Whitman helped injured soldiers, the building showcases portraits of influential figures, including presidents and Civil War leaders like Grant and Sherman. You’ll see 19th-century daguerreotypes, along with works by Mary Cassatt, Edward Hopper, and David Hockney in the American Art Museum. Engage with iconic pieces, such as Georgia O’Keeffe’s flowers and the portrait of Obama, while learning about WPA-era photography that defined a nation during the Great Depression. Highlights may include the Gilbert portrait of Washington and artworks by Whistler and Sargent