Smithsonian Chooses Historic Venue for American Latino Museum

The Smithsonian Institution announced plans to establish its National Museum of the American Latino in a historic 145-year-old building on the National Mall. This decision replaces the initial plan to construct a new facility, which would necessitate congressional approval.

The announcement came on Monday after a decisive vote by the Smithsonian’s Board of Regents. The museum, created by Congress in 2020, will now find its home in the Arts and Industries Building. This 258,000-square-foot redbrick Victorian edifice stands adjacent to the Smithsonian’s headquarters.

The choice of the Arts and Industries Building provides a significant location, rooted in history, for the museum’s exhibitions. The building, owing to its historical significance and central placement, highlights the Smithsonian’s commitment to preserving and promoting cultural heritage.