Did you know that there is a castle-looking building on the Washington Mall? Yep, there is.

Located

The Castle

Right now the Castle holds the administrative offices of the Smithsonian. James Smithson was a British Scientist who lived from 1765-1829. He was an illegitimate son of a Duke, and he left a fortune to a nephew. However, if that nephew left no heirs, the fortune would go to the United States of America.

This would be called the Smithsonian Institution. Thus how the Smithsonian came about. The  Castle was completed in 1855.

My thoughts

It is pretty interesting to see this castle in the middle of all these other buildings, but it does have a history behind it.

It was a nice place to get out of the rain for a few minutes. Check it out if you are in Washington D.C.