National Building Museum

07/12/2025

THIS WEEKEND AT THE NATIONAL BUILDING MUSEUM!

Join us for Momentum Park(our)!
🔹 Member Hours are Saturday, 10-11 am. (REMINDER: During member hours, the course is open to MEMBERS ONLY. For more details on becoming a member, check out nbm.org!) The next set of members hours will be on Thursday, July 17 from 3 to 4 pm.
🔹 STEAM Saturday: 1- 3 pm
Plus, don't forget to explore all of our exhibitions while you're here.
See you this weekend!

07/10/2025

We're looking back at the fun from May's Building Readers Club Day and getting excited for July's event next week! Families will hear read Everything Naomi Loved, learn about her work as a muralist, create a paper collage mural, and explore the Transform DC murals with a special scavenger hunt.

To register for the event and become a Building Readers Club member (it's totally free!), head to nbm.org.

07/09/2025

📚✨ Join us for a special summer Storytime with the DC Retro Jumpers on July 17!

We’ll read a fun story all about jump rope in the community—then head to the Great Hall to practice your own moves with the pros from DC Retro Jumpers! 🪢💥

📅 Storytime happens every Thursday and is always free with Museum admission. Don’t miss this chance to jump into the fun!

07/07/2025

How do we move through space, and what does that movement say about our cities?

To mark the launch of Momentum Park(our), our new summer installation at the National Building Museum, we sat down with American Parkour leader Mark Toorock to explore how parkour transforms architecture from a backdrop into a living system.

In this conversation, Mark shares insights on:
🏙️ How parkour reframes the built environment
🌀 Why movement belongs in architectural dialogue
⚙️ What visitors can expect from this hands-on, all-ages experience

🔗 Read the full interview:

As the National Building Museum launches Momentum Park(our), a new summer installation exploring the dynamic interaction between movement and buildings, we spoke with Mark Toorock to learn more about the sport of parkour, its relationship with architecture, and what visitors can expect from this uni...

07/07/2025

🍹✨ Ready to experience Momentum Park(our) without the kids? Join us for Sip & Flip, an after-hours event just for adults!

Test your skills on the obstacle courses, explore the Forces of Motion zone, and watch a high-energy stunt performance by professional parkour athletes. Plus, enjoy drinks, light bites, and access to select exhibitions.

🎟️ Space is limited, grab your ticket now at nbm.org!

07/03/2025

🎉 Momentum Park(our) is officially open!
Flip into summer with us and explore our new installation in the Great Hall, designed to celebrate movement, creativity, and the built environment. Test out the custom parkour courses yourself and experience the thrill firsthand!

💥 Don’t miss our special kid workshops on July 7 +14 and the Sip & Flip on July 17! Registration for all events is open now at nbm.org!

07/02/2025

🎉 July is flipping with amazing events at the National Building Museum!

Whether you’re flipping through a book or flipping over an obstacle course, this month is full of movement, fun, and discovery. Don’t miss:
🤸 Momentum Park(our): our parkour installation in the Great Hall
📚 Special Storytime with DC Retro Jumpers: read, jump, and play!
🍹 Sip & Flip: an adults-only night of parkour, drinks, and vibes
📖 Building Readers Club: join us for our July meeting

… and so much more!

📅 Plan your visit & grab your tickets now! Check out the full lineup at nbm.org!

06/15/2025

Happy Father’s Day!

06/14/2025

📣 Program Update | Happy Saturday from the National Building Museum!

While we’re open today from 10 am–4 pm, please note that our June STEAM Saturday has been cancelled.

We apologize for any inconvenience and appreciate your understanding. Come explore the museum and enjoy the rest of your visit!

06/13/2025

What a night! Our 2025 Gala was an unforgettable celebration of design excellence and innovation. ✨

We were proud to present our Honor Award to , recognizing their visionary leadership and transformative impact on the built environment. Gensler continues to push the boundaries of what architecture can achieve.

While the Gala may be over, the Museum’s commitment to telling stories about the world we design and build continues every day through exhibitions, programs, and initiatives that meet this moment with urgency and imagination.

💡 Learn more about our Honor Award history and upcoming programs at nbm.org.

06/05/2025

Have you wandered over to our west lawn to check out Transform DC, our latest outdoor exhibition? It is summer-ready, decorated with the Transform DC murals. 🎨

Transform DC is an art project where DCPS students collaborate to create large-scale murals. Come stop by to check out these gorgeous murals before they leave on Labor Day! Let us know which one is your favorite!

The theme for this year is the “Power of Connection” 🤝

A special thank you to for donating paint and supplies for these beautiful murals! 🎨

06/02/2025

We’ve got some brutal news: Capital Brutalism closes on June 30, 2025. 😢

Capital Brutalism explores the history, current state, and future of seven polarizing buildings and the WMATA Metro system in Washington, D.C. The exhibition uses archival documents, drawings, construction photographs, architectural models, and contemporary photographs to provide context and shed light on the buildings’ stories.

Huge thanks to .m.person and for your work bringing this story to life in our museum.

You have all month to check it out before it leaves! Don’t miss your chance to see it! Get tickets now at nbm.org!