National Building Museum

The National Building Museum is a massive block of terracotta-colored brick, defined by a colossal interior courtyard surrounded by eight Corinthian columns that rise seventy-five feet high. Originally commissioned in the eighteen eighties as the Pension Building, it served to process the mountains of paperwork generated by Civil War veterans claiming benefits. When the first ball was held here in eighteen eighty-five, officials realized the central hall was the largest open space in Washington, perfect for hosting inaugural celebrations for every president since.