The Smithsonian Castle

Posted: 07.31.2024 | Updated: 02.12.2025

Washington, D.C. is a city full of history, ghosts, and mysteries, with the Smithsonian Castle being one of the creepiest spots. As the nation’s capital, it’s a place where the past never quite fades away.

Throughout D.C., haunted locations hold the stories of long-gone eras. The spirits of those times are said to still roam, leaving behind eerie tales that continue to intrigue visitors.

Join a thrilling ghost tour in DC and and uncover the secrets of the Haunted Smithsonian Castle and other chilling D.C. locations!

Why Is The Smithsonian Castle Haunted?

The castle of Smithsonian is haunted due to its rich and sometimes tragic history. Some believe it’s the restless spirits of workers and past inhabitants who have never truly left. Stories of ghostly apparitions, eerie noises, and strange occurrences have fueled rumors of paranormal activity, making it one of D.C.’s most intriguing haunted spots.

What is in the Smithsonian castle?

The Smithsonian Castle is more than just an iconic building; it’s the gateway to the entire Smithsonian Institution and holds a treasure trove of history and purpose within its walls. Inside, you’ll find a visitor center, informational exhibits about the Smithsonian’s history, and a model of the original design by James Renwick, Jr. The Castle is also home to the offices of the Smithsonian leadership and serves as a central hub for the institution’s vast network of museums and research centers. But behind its welcoming façade lies a rich history—one filled with fascinating, and sometimes eerie, stories.

Renwick, the visionary behind the Castle’s design, was known for his meticulous work, including the renowned St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City and the Smithsonian’s Renwick Gallery in Washington, D.C. His design for the Castle won a nationwide competition in 1846, marking the beginning of a grand architectural journey.

Originally, the Castle was meant to be constructed from white marble, then yellow sandstone, but ultimately, Seneca red sandstone from a quarry in Montgomery County, Maryland, was selected. This decision was driven by cost-effectiveness, though the stone itself carries a darker history—it was hewn by enslaved laborers, embedding a legacy of suffering into the very walls of the Castle.

The Castle’s Troubled Construction

Construction began in 1847 under the direction of general contractor Gilbert Cameron. By 1849, the East Wing was completed and became the residence of the Smithsonian’s first Secretary, Professor Joseph Henry, a pioneer in electromagnetism and a visionary who laid the groundwork for the National Weather Service.

However, the Castle’s construction was not without setbacks. In 1850, a structural collapse of the West Wing raised concerns about the workmanship, leading to the adoption of modern fireproof construction methods. The exterior of the Castle was completed in 1852, after which Renwick stepped back from the project, leaving Cameron to complete the interior by 1855.

Despite the fireproof measures, tragedy struck in 1865 when a fire ravaged the upper floor, destroying invaluable collections, including James Smithson’s correspondence, oil paintings of American Indians by John Mix Stanley, and public libraries seized during the Civil War. The Castle was rebuilt by Adolf Cluss, a Washington architect known for his use of red brick and dubbed the “Red Architect.” Cluss, who suffered personal tragedies, infused the renovation with a somber, gothic character, adding further to the building’s haunted atmosphere.

James Smithson’s Haunting Legacy

The most notable ghost said to haunt the castle of Smithsonian is its namesake, James Smithson, an aristocratic English scientist who never set foot in America during his lifetime. Smithson’s fortune, left to establish the Smithsonian Institution, ensured his legacy, though he could never witness the building that bears his name. His remains were brought to the United States in 1904 and interred within the Castle, and his spirit is said to roam the halls, seen so often that his casket was exhumed in 1973 to confirm the presence of his skeleton.

Other Spirits of the Castle

Smithson is not the only ghost haunting the Castle. The first curator, Spencer Fullerton Baird, is another spectral presence. The Castle’s night watchmen frequently reported sightings of Baird’s ghost, which would vanish upon approach. Paleontologist Fielding B. Meek, another resident spirit, lived in the Castle with his cat in a set of modest rooms beneath a grand staircase.

Known for his eccentricity and mournful demeanor, Meek passed away in the Castle, his cat by his side, and continues to wander the halls, perhaps still seeking the scientific camaraderie he cherished in life.

James Henry, the first Secretary of the Smithsonian, is also said to appear in the Castle, dressed in his period attire of a frock coat and cravat. Security guards have often seen his ghostly figure roaming the corridors, only for him to vanish when approached.

Learn More About The Haunted History of Washington, D.C.

No visit to Washington, D.C., is complete without exploring its ghostly past, and the Smithsonian Castle is just one of many haunted sites in this city built on a swamp. The city’s historic buildings and neighborhoods are filled with tales of passion, scandal, and unfinished business, making it a place where the spirits of the past still walk among the living. D.C. ghost tour usually start in Lafayette Square, also known as Tragedy Square, offering a glimpse into the lives and deaths that have left lasting marks on the city. A tour of these haunted spots, including the Smithsonian Castle, is the perfect way to dive deep into D.C.’s eerie history.

Eager for more ghostly stories? Explore our blog for spine-tingling tales and reserve your spot on a DC ghost tour to dive into the city’s mysterious history. Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok for all the latest eerie updates!

Sources:

• https://www.britannica.com/topic/American-colonies/How-colonization-took-place
• https://washington.org/smithsonian-institution-museums
• https://americanhistory.si.edu/explore/stories/love-smithsonian-thank-james-smithson
• https://siarchives.si.edu/history/spencer-fullerton-baird