The National Building Museum, Washington, D.C. – Permanent Exhibition
Visible Vault: Open Collections Storage, a new permanent exhibition at The National Building Museum, provides unprecedented access to thousands of artifacts that have been stored behind closed doors, some of them for decades. Opened in December, the exhibition showcases both significant and commonplace historical artifacts ranging from the 1800s to the present day. It offers a rare opportunity for visitors to experience the breadth and depth of the museum’s permanent collection, shedding light on America’s architectural and design heritage in a dynamic, accessible way.
“By bringing thousands of artifacts—many of which have never been on display—out of storage, we are not only celebrating America’s architectural and design legacy, but also transforming how we engage with and understand the built environment,” said Aileen Fuchs, president and executive director of the museum. “Every artifact has a fascinating story, and we are excited to share them with the public. By opening our vaults and allowing visitors to do a deeper dive using digital tools, we are creating a more inclusive experience that invites audiences to explore, learn, and connect with the history of the places and spaces that shape our lives.”
“Visible Vault” features more than 2,500 artifacts that have previously been inaccessible due to their size, scope, and material complexity. The display represents highlights from the museum’s massive collection of 500,000 artifacts, and includes objects such as architectural blueprints and models, bricks, plaster molds, photographs, building fragments, toy collections, souvenir buildings, drafting tools, and historical building equipment.
In addition to custom display cabinetry, the exhibition contains numerous file drawers that visitors are encouraged to open to discover light-sensitive pieces, such as drawings, construction toys in their original boxes, and small items like product samples and dollhouse furniture. The museum will rotate artifacts regularly to share new acquisitions and work contributed by its partners.
A special highlight of “Visible Vault” is the museum’s beloved Architectural Toy Collection, the largest collection of building toys in America. It includes over 100 years of educational play materials, such as Lincoln Logs (designed by Frank Lloyd Wright’s son, John Lloyd Wright), LEGO brick sets, Erector sets, Froebel’s kindergarten bricks, dollhouses—including the Petite Princess collection from the 1960s—and specialty items like Meccano models and Walt Disney Frontier Logs.
