The National Building Museum in Washington, D.C., is celebrating its 25th year in 2005 and marking its silver anniversary with a film series, an anniversary bash, and an exhibition showcasing its collection.
The anniversary activities begin with a free, seven-week film series titled “Reel Architecture,” dedicated to the relationship between architecture and cinema. The series will be kicked off the weekend of July 9 and 10, 2005, and will continue for the next seven consecutive Wednesday evenings in the museum’s Great Hall. The series will screen American films that reflect themes found in the National Building museum’s 25 years of exhibitions, such as sustainable architecture, transportation and transit, and office design. Films will include “Soylent Green,” “Chinatown,” “Los Angeles Plays Itself” and “Touch of Evil,” to name a few.
On Oct. 29, 2005, the celebration continues with a 25th Anniversary Bash, which will include live entertainment, a silent auction, dancing, neon cocktails and gourmet munchies. Celebrity guests and noted design professionals and architects will make for excellent socializing in the museum’s historic Great Hall, with fireworks at midnight capping off the festivities.
Ticket prices for this event range from $95 each ($75 for members) to $10,000 ($9,000 for members) and contain various extra benefits, depending on the price level. All ticket revenues go to support the museum’s education programs and exhibitions. Tickets can be purchased online at the museum’s Web site, www.nbm.org, or by calling 202.272.2448.
The 25th anniversary celebration will conclude with an exhibition showcasing the museum’s collection. Opening Dec. 3, 2005, Cityscapes Revealed: Highlights from the Collection will be a first-time survey of the museum’s holdings and will explore America’s architectural heritage through original building fragments; rare, early-20th-century photographs; detailed drawings; and more.
The museum is located at 401 F St. NW, Washington, D.C. Museum hours are Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free. Call 202.272.2448 or visit www.nbm.org for more information.
