The Octagon Museum

The Octagon Museum As the museum of the Architects Foundation, we educate on the value architects and architecture bring to culture.

Temporary White House (1814 -15), AIA HQ (1898-1970), and one of the US's first preservation projects. Completed in 1801 for John Tayloe III of Mount Airy, VA and his wife Ann Ogle Tayloe, and designed by William Thornton, the original architect of the U.S. Capitol, the Octagon is one of the most significant and elegant buildings to remain standing from the early federal city. The Octagon served a

s the temporary White House for the Madisons after the British burned Washington in 1814 during the War of 1812. After the Tayloe family moved out in 1855, the house served as a girls' school, the offices of the US Hydrographic Office, an a tenement apartment building. Finally, in 1898, the American Institute of Architects selected the building to be their national headquarters, and they continued to use the building as such until 1970. Today, the Octagon is operated as a museum by the AIA Foundation, and features guided and self-guided tours, changing exhibitions, and public programing. The Octagon will reopen to the public beginning May 19th! The Museum will be open Thursday-Saturday from 11am-4pm. Museum admission is $10/adult, $5/children and teens under 18, and free for children under 5. Free guided tours will be offered at 11am and 3pm (roughly 45 mins) and are included with museum admission. Information on self-guided tours is available at our front desk. To purchase tickets in advance, please visit https://architectsfoundation.networkforgood.com/events/41116-visit-the-octagon

  continues!
Can you lead your community through disaster? Strategize, collaborate, and build resilience as you face wil...
04/18/2025

continues!

Can you lead your community through disaster? Strategize, collaborate, and build resilience as you face wild events and tough decisions.

🎲 Think you’ve got what it takes to become the Ultimate Disaster Master?

👉 Grab your copy now — it’s on our Linktree in bio!
 
Check out our linktree to learn more about 🔗



Architects Foundation, the philanthropic partner of the American Institute of Architects, announced the appointment of J...
04/17/2025

Architects Foundation, the philanthropic partner of the American Institute of Architects, announced the appointment of Jennifer Calvert Hall as its new Executive Director. Calvert Hall was identified following a highly competitive national search and brings extensive experience in fundraising and nonprofit management. Read more at the link in bio.

  is here! 🎉🌱 Celebrate Architecture Week with a fun at-home activity! Swipe for instructions on creating your own bioph...
04/16/2025

is here! 🎉

🌱 Celebrate Architecture Week with a fun at-home activity! Swipe for instructions on creating your own biophilic design.

🏛️ Don’t forget to come see the newest exhibit Creative Resilience: Carbon + Complexity at The Octagon—explore more about biophilic design and how it’s shaping the future of architecture! Tickets in our linktree in bio

How are you celebrating ? Let us know in the comments! ⬇️

Check out what’s going on in April! You won’t want to miss the saxophone quartet performance 🎻🎶 It’s a great chance to e...
03/28/2025

Check out what’s going on in April! You won’t want to miss the saxophone quartet performance 🎻🎶 It’s a great chance to enjoy live music at The Octagon. Grab your tickets now – link in bio!

🎶 Join us and Chamber Music Maryland on Saturday, April 5th from 4-6pm for “Bridging Worlds: Italian Roots, American Rhy...
03/20/2025

🎶 Join us and Chamber Music Maryland on Saturday, April 5th from 4-6pm for “Bridging Worlds: Italian Roots, American Rhythms” featuring the Italian Saxophone Quartet! 🇮🇹🎷

✨ Enjoy a captivating live performance in the historic Octagon, then stay for a meet-the-artists cocktail hour to dive into their experiences and craft. Don’t miss out on this unique cultural experience!

Link in bio for tickets 🎟️ 🎟️

🗓️ Join us on March 18th at 6pm for Creative Resilience: Carbon + Complexity. This exhibit features the work of architec...
03/07/2025

🗓️ Join us on March 18th at 6pm for Creative Resilience: Carbon + Complexity. This exhibit features the work of architecture students, showing how new technology is changing the way we think about design. RSVP at link in bio!

Happy March! Check out these great events we have lined up at The Octagon. Check out the details and RSVP through the li...
03/03/2025

Happy March! Check out these great events we have lined up at The Octagon. Check out the details and RSVP through the link in our bio✨

Pink vibes and open hearts, Happy Valentines Day from The Octagon! We are open every Friday and the first and third Satu...
02/14/2025

Pink vibes and open hearts, Happy Valentines Day from The Octagon! We are open every Friday and the first and third Saturday of each month from 11AM-3PM 🩷🤍🩷🤍🩷

Happy Black History Month from The Octagon! We have an exciting line up of programs highlighting Black excellence in arc...
02/04/2025

Happy Black History Month from The Octagon!

We have an exciting line up of programs highlighting Black excellence in architecture and beyond AND we are excited to reopen to the public on February 14th ✨

At the Architects Foundation, we believe in the power of design to solve problems, transform lives, and create a better ...
12/09/2024

At the Architects Foundation, we believe in the power of design to solve problems, transform lives, and create a better world. Every day we put that mission into action from our historic headquarters, The Octagon.
 
As a museum and exhibit space, the oldest private residence in DC now hosts programs demonstrating the cultural and societal impact of architects and architecture, and the architect’s potential to create a just and equitable society.
 
Your donations sustain this National Historic Landmark as a living laboratory for sustainable preservation and a hub for design education. 
 
Can you make a gift to support The Octagon today? Just $100 helps us continue to provide free admission to students, produce seasonal exhibitions with our education partners, and fund critical building restoration work.

Link to donate in bio!

Tomorrow is the last day to visit The Octagon in 2024! We will closed for annual maintenance beginning next week but you...
12/06/2024

Tomorrow is the last day to visit The Octagon in 2024!

We will closed for annual maintenance beginning next week but you can still schedule a private tour with advance notice. Link in bio for information on reserving a private tour.

We can’t wait to welcome you back in 2025 🌟

Help us bridge the gap between aspiration and achievement. Your contributions will help us continue to provide life-chan...
12/03/2024

Help us bridge the gap between aspiration and achievement. Your contributions will help us continue to provide life-changing opportunities to students and emerging professionals in 2025! Click the link in bio to donate now 💫

Wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving from your friends at The Architects Foundation 🦃📸:
11/28/2024

Wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving from your friends at The Architects Foundation 🦃

📸:

We are accepting applications for three scholarships:✨ Diversity Advancement Scholarship – Up to $20,000 for minority st...
11/08/2024

We are accepting applications for three scholarships:
✨ Diversity Advancement Scholarship – Up to $20,000 for minority students entering or enrolled in NAAB-accredited architecture programs (renewable for up to 5 years)
✨ Payette Sho-Ping Chin Memorial Academic Scholarship – $10,000 for women in NAAB-accredited architecture programs, plus mentorship.
✨ Yann Weymouth Graduate Scholarship – $5,000 for graduate students focusing on sustainable, resilient, and beautiful design, with mentorship.

Applications due January 10, 2025. Learn more in our linktree in bio 🔗

Happy Halloween from The Octagon 👻
10/31/2024

Happy Halloween from The Octagon 👻

👻 Poltergeist & Pints is back! 👻Join us this Saturday, October 26th at 8 PM at The Octagon Museum! For $40, enjoy a cand...
10/22/2024

👻 Poltergeist & Pints is back! 👻
Join us this Saturday, October 26th at 8 PM at The Octagon Museum! For $40, enjoy a candlelight tour uncovering our haunted history, complete with local craft beers! 21+ only🍻

👻 Poltergeist and Pints! 🍻Join us at the historic Octagon for an unforgettable night exploring haunted history! Enjoy a ...
10/03/2024

👻 Poltergeist and Pints! 🍻

Join us at the historic Octagon for an unforgettable night exploring haunted history! Enjoy a candlelight tour revealing chilling tales of true hauntings, all while sipping on local craft beers.

Connect with friends and fellow ghost enthusiasts in this eerie atmosphere. Don’t miss out on this captivating experience!

Purchase tickets at link in bio. 21 and up!

It’s our favorite season at The Octagon: spooky season 👻 Check out what’s on this month. Link in bio for more info.
10/01/2024

It’s our favorite season at The Octagon: spooky season 👻

Check out what’s on this month. Link in bio for more info.

Address

1799 New York Avenue NW
Washington D.C., DC
20006

Opening Hours

Friday 11am - 4pm
Saturday 11am - 4pm

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