This Sunday was a beautiful day, following the storm Saturday. I walked over the the National Building Museum to see what was on exhibit (not much currently).
The building is really spectacular though. Built in 1882-1887, as a fireproof US Pension Bureau’s headquarters ( for $250,000!), it had a 2nd use as a grand entertaining space for big functions, such as inaugural balls. The design was based on the Palazzo Farnese by Michelangelo (1589). 
Wrapping the building on the exterior is a freize by Caspar Buberl to cemmemorate the civil war
The entire building is brick, even the large columns in the center hall that are covered in plaster and faux painted to resemble marble.
