The ornate, vast galleries and rotunda of the Victorian Arts and Industries Building were designed by Montgomery Meigs, architect of the National Building Museum. The Arts and Industries Building is extraordinary because of its expanse of open space and abundance of natural light.

The museum has served many functions since its completion on March 4, 1881. in its opening year it was the site of President James Garfield’s inaugural ball; it displayed artefacts from Philadelphia’s 1876 Centennial Exposition, including a complete steam train; and it was home to a collection of the First Ladies’ Gowns, as well as Lindbergh’s famous airplane the Spirit of St. Louis, before these exhibits were moved to other Smithsonian museums on the Mall.

The arts and Industries Building hosts a series of temporary exhibitions, many of which focus on African-American and Native American culture. There are also workshops at various times.