Zohery Tours

Washington DC Sightseeing Tours

Celebrating over 35 years of Excellence in Sightseeing Since 1989

Click to Call +1 202 437 1295

  • Zohery Podcast
  • Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
  • Reservations
  • Home
  • Grand Tour Of Washington DC
  • Full Day Washington DC & Mount Vernon Tour
  • Grand Tour of Washington DC + Explore Egypt
  • Mini Grand Tour Of Washington DC
  • Washington Day and Night Tour 
  • Washington DC Night Tours
  • Alexandria & Mount Vernon Tour
  • Mount Vernon Tour + Washington DC Night Tour
  • Explore Egypt in Washington, D.C
  • Customized private tours of DC
  • Presidential Inauguration Preview Tour in Washington DC
  • Student Educational Tours
  • Virtual Online Tours
  • Transportation Services
  • Job Application
  • Hire A DC Tour Guide
  • Download Brochure
  • Memberships
  • DC eBooks
  • Gift Shop & Papyrus Gallery
  • ZOHERY TOURS AI
  • Washington, D.C. 4-in-1 Digital Program
  • Explore Egypt in Washington, D.C. – Digital Program
  • Reservations
  • Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Issue 19 The Smithsonian Castle and the Birth of an American Institution

September 22, 2026 by zohery-09

From James Smithsons Bequest to the Worlds Largest Museum and Research Complex

The Digital Magazine and Archive of The Dr. Ali Zohery Podcast

English Edition Followed by Arabic

Published 21 September 2026

Prepared and presented by Dr. Ali Zohery, Ph. D.

Watch the episode https://youtu.be/Q5Tgy0BgMOI

Zohery Tours www.zohery.com +1-202-437-1295

Issue 19 The Smithsonian Castle and the Birth of an American Institution

From James Smithsons Bequest to the Worlds Largest Museum and Research Complex

The Digital Magazine and Archive of The Dr. Ali Zohery Podcast

English Edition Followed by Arabic

Published 21 September 2026

Prepared and presented by Dr. Ali Zohery, Ph. D.

Watch the episode https://youtu.be/Q5Tgy0BgMOI

Zohery Tours www.zohery.com +1-202-437-1295

Issue Overview

Issue 19 tells the story of the Smithsonian Institution Building, commonly called the Smithsonian Castle. The red sandstone landmark on the National Mall was the first permanent home of the Smithsonian Institution. It once contained exhibition halls, laboratories, offices, storage rooms, lecture spaces, and living quarters. The building therefore served as the starting point for an institution that later expanded into museums, research centers, libraries, archives, educational programs, and the National Zoo.

The story begins with James Smithson, a British scientist who never visited the United States. His will left his fortune to the United States to establish an institution in Washington for the increase and diffusion of knowledge among humanity. That brief instruction became one of the most consequential gifts in American cultural history.

Why the Castle Matters

The Castle links architecture with a public mission. Its towers make it visually distinctive, but its deeper importance lies in the work organized inside it: collecting objects, conducting research, explaining discoveries, and making knowledge available to the public. It remains the symbolic heart of the Smithsonian even as the institution has grown far beyond one building.

James Smithson and the Founding of the Smithsonian

A Bequest from an Unexpected Benefactor

James Smithson was born in France in 1765 and became a British chemist and mineralogist. He belonged to the Royal Society and devoted his life to scientific study. In his will, Smithson named his nephew as his principal heir. If the nephew died without heirs, the estate would pass to the United States to create an establishment in Washington bearing the Smithsonian name and devoted to the increase and diffusion of knowledge.

Smithson died in Genoa in 1829. His nephew later died without heirs, activating the unusual bequest. President Andrew Jackson informed Congress in 1835. After debate over whether the federal government should accept the gift and what type of institution it should support, Congress authorized acceptance. American diplomat Richard Rush traveled to England, obtained the estate through the Court of Chancery, and brought the proceeds to the United States in 1838. The gold sovereigns were converted to a little more than 500,000 dollars, an enormous educational endowment for the period.

The Act of 1846

Congress established the Smithsonian Institution on 10 August 1846. The law created a Board of Regents and authorized a building with rooms for natural history objects, scientific apparatus, a chemical laboratory, a library, an art gallery, and lectures. The wording reflected a broad understanding of knowledge that joined research, collections, public education, and communication.

Joseph Henry and the First Program

The physicist Joseph Henry became the first Secretary of the Smithsonian. He wanted the new institution to support original research and circulate useful results. The Smithsonian published scholarly work, exchanged publications with institutions around the world, supported scientific investigations, and developed national collections. Henry and his family also lived in the Castle, which made the building both an administrative center and a working intellectual community.

James Smithsons Resting Place

Smithson was originally buried in Genoa. When changes to the cemetery threatened his grave, Alexander Graham Bell led an effort to bring his remains to Washington in 1904. Smithson now rests in a crypt near the north entrance of the Castle. His tomb gives visitors a direct connection to the donor whose confidence in knowledge created the institution.

Architecture Collections and Change

James Renwick Jr and the Norman Revival Design

Architect James Renwick Jr., who later designed St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York, prepared the Castle’s design. Construction began in 1847, and the building was completed in stages by 1855. Its asymmetrical towers, round arches, battlements, and picturesque silhouette draw on Romanesque and Norman Revival architecture. The exterior uses red Seneca sandstone quarried in Maryland along the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal.

The building looks like a medieval castle, yet it was created for modern scientific and educational work. Different towers and wings originally supported offices, laboratories, collections, lectures, and residential needs. This combination explains why the Castle does not resemble a conventional government office or a single-purpose museum.

The Early Museum

Before the separate Smithsonian museums existed, the Castle displayed natural history specimens, ethnological materials, artworks, instruments, and objects connected with national exploration. Collections grew through government expeditions, private donations, scientific exchange, and research. As the holdings expanded, new buildings became necessary. The Arts and Industries Building opened next door in 1881, and later museums gave specialized collections their own homes.

The Fire of 1865

A serious fire struck the Castle in January 1865. It damaged the upper portion of the main building and destroyed collections and records, including much of James Smithson’s scientific papers and personal effects. The disaster led to reconstruction and changes in the building. The event remains an important lesson in the preservation of archives and the vulnerability of cultural institutions.

The Castle Today

For many years the Castle housed the Smithsonian Visitor Center as well as administrative offices. Visitors could obtain maps, learn how the museums developed, view an orientation display, and visit Smithson’s crypt. The building closed to the public in February 2023 for a major renovation intended to strengthen its structure, modernize building systems, improve accessibility, and preserve its historic fabric. Visitors should check the Smithsonian’s official website for the current reopening schedule and access information.

The Smithsonian Today Lessons and Questions

From One Building to a Public Knowledge Network

The Smithsonian now operates a large network of museums, research centers, libraries, archives, conservation programs, educational platforms, and the National Zoo. Many Smithsonian museums in Washington offer free general admission. Its collections cover American history, art, aviation, space exploration, natural history, world cultures, design, postal history, African American history, and the history of Indigenous peoples.

Lessons from the Episode

A carefully directed gift can serve generations far beyond the life of the donor.

Knowledge grows when research and public education support each other.

Architecture can express an institution’s identity while adapting to new functions.

Collections require preservation plans because fire, deterioration, and neglect can erase evidence.

Free public access helps transform museums from storehouses into active educational institutions.

Questions and Answers

Who founded the Smithsonian Institution? The United States Congress established it in 1846 using the bequest of British scientist James Smithson.

Did James Smithson visit the United States? No. His gift was remarkable because he left his fortune to a country he had never visited.

What did Smithson want? He wanted an institution in Washington devoted to the increase and diffusion of knowledge.

Who designed the Castle? American architect James Renwick Jr. designed it in a Romanesque and Norman Revival style.

When was it built? Construction began in 1847, and the building was completed in stages by 1855.

Why is it called the Castle? Its towers, arches, battlements, red stone, and picturesque form resemble a European medieval castle.

What happened in 1865? A major fire damaged the building and destroyed valuable collections, records, and much of Smithson’s papers.

Where is James Smithson buried? His remains are in a crypt near the Castle’s north entrance.

Why is the Castle closed? It closed in 2023 for structural, mechanical, accessibility, and preservation work.

Plan Your Visit with Zohery Tours

The Smithsonian Castle stands at 1000 Jefferson Drive SW on the National Mall. Its exterior remains an important stop during renovation. Zohery Tours offers guided sightseeing in Washington DC. Visit www.zohery.com or call +1-202-437-1295 for schedules and reservations.

الْعَدَدُ التَّاسِعُ عَشَرَ قَلْعَةُ سْمِيثْسُونِيَان وَمِيلَادُ مُؤَسَّسَةٍ أَمْرِيكِيَّةٍ

مِنْ وَصِيَّةِ جِيمْس سْمِيثْسُون إِلَى أَكْبَرِ مُجَمَّعٍ لِلْمَتَاحِفِ وَالْبُحُوثِ

الْمَجَلَّةُ الرَّقْمِيَّةُ وَأَرْشِيفُ بُودْكَاسْتِ الدُّكْتُورِ عَلِي زُهَيْرِي

النُّسْخَةُ الْإِنْجِلِيزِيَّةُ تَلِيهَا النُّسْخَةُ الْعَرَبِيَّةُ

إِعْدَادٌ وَتَقْدِيمٌ Dr. Ali Zohery, Ph. D.

تَارِيخُ النَّشْرِ ٢١ سِبْتَمْبَرَ ٢٠٢٦

رَابِطُ الْحَلْقَةِ https://youtu.be/Q5Tgy0BgMOI

زُهَيْرِي تُورْز www.zohery.com +1-202-437-1295

مُلَخَّصُ الْعَدَدِ

يَرْوِي الْعَدَدُ التَّاسِعُ عَشَرَ قِصَّةَ مَبْنَى مُؤَسَّسَةِ سْمِيثْسُونِيَان، الْمَعْرُوفِ بِاسْمِ قَلْعَةِ سْمِيثْسُونِيَان. وَكَانَ الْمَبْنَى الْمَشَيَّدُ بِالْحَجَرِ الرَّمْلِيِّ الْأَحْمَرِ أَوَّلَ مَقَرٍّ دَائِمٍ لِلْمُؤَسَّسَةِ. وَجَمَعَ فِي بِدَايَتِهِ بَيْنَ قَاعَاتِ الْعَرْضِ، وَالْمُخْتَبَرَاتِ، وَالْمَكَاتِبِ، وَالْمَخَازِنِ، وَقَاعَاتِ الْمُحَاضَرَاتِ، وَمَسَاكِنِ بَعْضِ الْعَامِلِينَ.

تَبْدَأُ الْقِصَّةُ بِجِيمْس سْمِيثْسُون، الْعَالِمِ الْبِرِيطَانِيِّ الَّذِي لَمْ يَزُرِ الْوِلَايَاتِ الْمُتَّحِدَةَ. فَقَدْ أَوْصَى بِثَرْوَتِهِ لِإِنْشَاءِ مُؤَسَّسَةٍ فِي وَاشِنْطُن تَعْمَلُ عَلَى زِيَادَةِ الْمَعْرِفَةِ وَنَشْرِهَا بَيْنَ النَّاسِ. وَتَحَوَّلَتْ هَذِهِ الْعِبَارَةُ الْمُوجَزَةُ إِلَى وَاحِدَةٍ مِنْ أَهَمِّ الْهِبَاتِ الثَّقَافِيَّةِ فِي التَّارِيخِ الْأَمْرِيكِيِّ.

أَهَمِّيَّةُ الْقَلْعَةِ

تَرْبِطُ الْقَلْعَةُ بَيْنَ الْعِمَارَةِ وَالْخِدْمَةِ الْعَامَّةِ. فَأَبْرَاجُهَا تَجْعَلُهَا مَعْلَمًا بَصَرِيًّا مُمَيَّزًا، وَلَكِنَّ قِيمَتَهَا الْأَعْمَقَ تَكْمُنُ فِي الْعَمَلِ الَّذِي بَدَأَ دَاخِلَهَا: جَمْعِ الْآثَارِ وَالْعَيِّنَاتِ، وَإِجْرَاءِ الْبُحُوثِ، وَشَرْحِ الِاكْتِشَافَاتِ، وَإِتَاحَةِ الْمَعْرِفَةِ لِلْجُمْهُورِ.

جِيمْس سْمِيثْسُون وَتَأْسِيسُ مُؤَسَّسَةِ سْمِيثْسُونِيَان

وَصِيَّةٌ مِنْ مُحْسِنٍ غَيْرِ مُتَوَقَّعٍ

وُلِدَ جِيمْس سْمِيثْسُون فِي فَرَنْسَا سَنَةَ ١٧٦٥، وَأَصْبَحَ عَالِمًا بَرِيطَانِيًّا فِي الْكِيمْيَاءِ وَالْمَعَادِنِ، وَعُضْوًا فِي الْجَمْعِيَّةِ الْمَلَكِيَّةِ. وَنَصَّتْ وَصِيَّتُهُ عَلَى أَنْ تَذْهَبَ ثَرْوَتُهُ إِلَى ابْنِ أَخِيهِ، فَإِنْ مَاتَ مِنْ غَيْرِ وَارِثٍ، انْتَقَلَتِ الثَّرْوَةُ إِلَى الْوِلَايَاتِ الْمُتَّحِدَةِ لِإِنْشَاءِ مُؤَسَّسَةٍ فِي وَاشِنْطُن تَحْمِلُ اسْمَ سْمِيثْسُونِيَان وَتَخْدِمُ زِيَادَةَ الْمَعْرِفَةِ وَنَشْرَهَا.

تُوُفِّيَ سْمِيثْسُون فِي جَنَوَى سَنَةَ ١٨٢٩، ثُمَّ تُوُفِّيَ ابْنُ أَخِيهِ مِنْ غَيْرِ وَارِثٍ. وَفِي سَنَةِ ١٨٣٥ أَبْلَغَ الرَّئِيسُ أَنْدْرُو جَاكْسُون الْكُونْغِرِسَ بِالْوَصِيَّةِ. وَبَعْدَ نِقَاشٍ قَبِلَتِ الْحُكُومَةُ الْهِبَةَ، وَسَافَرَ الدِّبْلُومَاسِيُّ رِيتْشَارْد رَش إِلَى إِنْجِلْتَرَا لِاسْتِلَامِهَا. وَوَصَلَتِ الْعَائِدَاتُ إِلَى أَكْثَرَ مِنْ خَمْسِمِائَةِ أَلْفِ دُولَارٍ، وَهُوَ مَبْلَغٌ ضَخْمٌ فِي ذَلِكَ الْعَصْرِ.

قَانُونُ سَنَةِ ١٨٤٦

أَنْشَأَ الْكُونْغِرِسُ مُؤَسَّسَةَ سْمِيثْسُونِيَان فِي الْعَاشِرِ مِنْ أَغُسْطُسَ سَنَةَ ١٨٤٦. وَأَنْشَأَ الْقَانُونُ مَجْلِسَ الْأُمَنَاءِ، وَسَمَحَ بِبِنَاءِ قَاعَاتٍ لِلتَّارِيخِ الطَّبِيعِيِّ، وَالْأَجْهِزَةِ الْعِلْمِيَّةِ، وَمُخْتَبَرٍ لِلْكِيمْيَاءِ، وَمَكْتَبَةٍ، وَمَعْرِضٍ لِلْفَنِّ، وَمَكَانٍ لِلْمُحَاضَرَاتِ.

جُوزِف هِنْرِي وَالْبَرْنَامَجُ الْأَوَّلُ

أَصْبَحَ الْعَالِمُ الْفِيزْيَائِيُّ جُوزِف هِنْرِي أَوَّلَ أَمِينٍ لِلْمُؤَسَّسَةِ. وَأَرَادَ أَنْ تَدْعَمَ الْبُحُوثَ الْأَصْلِيَّةَ وَأَنْ تَنْشُرَ نَتَائِجَهَا. فَأَصْدَرَتِ الْمُؤَسَّسَةُ الْأَعْمَالَ الْعِلْمِيَّةَ، وَتَبَادَلَتِ الْمَطْبُوعَاتِ مَعَ الْهَيْئَاتِ الدَّوْلِيَّةِ، وَدَعَمَتِ الدِّرَاسَاتِ، وَطَوَّرَتِ الْمَجْمُوعَاتِ الْوَطَنِيَّةَ. وَعَاشَ هِنْرِي وَأُسْرَتُهُ أَيْضًا دَاخِلَ الْقَلْعَةِ.

مَثْوَى جِيمْس سْمِيثْسُون

دُفِنَ سْمِيثْسُون أَوَّلًا فِي جَنَوَى. وَلَمَّا هَدَّدَتِ التَّغْيِيرَاتُ مَقْبَرَتَهُ، قَادَ أَلِكْسَنْدَر غْرَاهَام بِل جُهْدًا لِنَقْلِ رُفَاتِهِ إِلَى وَاشِنْطُن سَنَةَ ١٩٠٤. وَيَرْقُدُ الْآنَ فِي ضَرِيحٍ قُرْبَ الْمَدْخَلِ الشَّمَالِيِّ لِلْقَلْعَةِ.

الْعِمَارَةُ وَالْمَجْمُوعَاتُ وَالتَّغْيِيرُ

جِيمْس رِينْوِيك وَطِرَازُ الْإِحْيَاءِ النُّورْمَانْدِيِّ

صَمَّمَ الْمِعْمَارِيُّ جِيمْس رِينْوِيك الِابْنُ الْقَلْعَةَ، وَهُوَ الَّذِي صَمَّمَ بَعْدَ ذَلِكَ كَاتِدْرَائِيَّةَ الْقِدِّيسِ بَاتْرِيك فِي نِيُويُورْك. بَدَأَ الْبِنَاءُ سَنَةَ ١٨٤٧، وَاكْتَمَلَ عَلَى مَرَاحِلَ حَتَّى سَنَةِ ١٨٥٥. وَتَسْتَمِدُّ الْأَبْرَاجُ غَيْرُ الْمُتَمَاثِلَةِ، وَالْأَقْوَاسُ الْمُسْتَدِيرَةُ، وَالشُّرَفَاتُ، وَالْهَيْئَةُ الْعَامَّةُ مَلَامِحَهَا مِنَ الْعِمَارَةِ الرُّومَانِسْكِيَّةِ وَطِرَازِ الْإِحْيَاءِ النُّورْمَانْدِيِّ. وَاسْتُخْدِمَ فِي الْوَاجِهَاتِ حَجَرُ سِينِيكَا الرَّمْلِيُّ الْأَحْمَرُ مِنْ مَارِيلَانْد.

تَبْدُو الْقَلْعَةُ كَأَنَّهَا مَبْنًى مِنَ الْعُصُورِ الْوُسْطَى، وَلَكِنَّهَا أُنْشِئَتْ لِلْعِلْمِ وَالتَّعْلِيمِ الْحَدِيثَيْنِ. وَخَدَمَتْ أَبْرَاجُهَا وَأَجْنِحَتُهَا الْمَكَاتِبَ وَالْمُخْتَبَرَاتِ وَالْمَعَارِضَ وَالْمُحَاضَرَاتِ وَالْمَسَاكِنَ.

الْمُتْحَفُ الْأَوَّلُ

قَبْلَ إِنْشَاءِ مَتَاحِفِ سْمِيثْسُونِيَان الْمُسْتَقِلَّةِ، عَرَضَتِ الْقَلْعَةُ عَيِّنَاتٍ مِنَ التَّارِيخِ الطَّبِيعِيِّ، وَمَوَادَّ إِثْنُولُوجِيَّةً، وَأَعْمَالًا فَنِّيَّةً، وَأَجْهِزَةً عِلْمِيَّةً، وَآثَارًا جَمَعَتْهَا الرِّحْلَاتُ الِاسْتِكْشَافِيَّةُ. وَمَعَ نُمُوِّ الْمَجْمُوعَاتِ أَصْبَحَتِ الْمَبَانِي الْجَدِيدَةُ ضَرُورِيَّةً، فَافْتُتِحَ مَبْنَى الْفُنُونِ وَالصِّنَاعَاتِ بِجِوَارِهَا سَنَةَ ١٨٨١.

حَرِيقُ سَنَةِ ١٨٦٥

وَقَعَ حَرِيقٌ خَطِيرٌ فِي الْقَلْعَةِ فِي يَنَايِرَ سَنَةَ ١٨٦٥. وَأَتْلَفَ الْجُزْءَ الْعُلْوِيَّ مِنَ الْمَبْنَى، وَدَمَّرَ مَجْمُوعَاتٍ وَسِجِلَّاتٍ قَيِّمَةً، وَمِنْهَا قَدْرٌ كَبِيرٌ مِنْ أَوْرَاقِ جِيمْس سْمِيثْسُون وَمُقْتَنَيَاتِهِ الشَّخْصِيَّةِ. وَدَفَعَتِ الْكَارِثَةُ إِلَى إِعَادَةِ الْبِنَاءِ وَإِلَى الِاهْتِمَامِ بِحِفْظِ الْأَرْشِيفِ وَالْمَجْمُوعَاتِ.

الْقَلْعَةُ الْيَوْمَ

احْتَضَنَتِ الْقَلْعَةُ لِسَنَوَاتٍ مَرْكَزَ زُوَّارِ سْمِيثْسُونِيَان وَمَكَاتِبَ إِدَارِيَّةً. وَأُغْلِقَتْ أَمَامَ الْجُمْهُورِ فِي فِبْرَايِرَ سَنَةَ ٢٠٢٣ لِتَنْفِيذِ تَرْمِيمٍ كَبِيرٍ يَشْمَلُ تَقْوِيَةَ الْهَيْكَلِ، وَتَحْدِيثَ الْأَنْظِمَةِ، وَتَحْسِينَ سُهُولَةِ الْوُصُولِ، وَصِيَانَةَ الْعَنَاصِرِ التَّارِيخِيَّةِ. وَيَنْبَغِي لِلزَّائِرِ مُرَاجَعَةُ الْمَوْقِعِ الرَّسْمِيِّ لِلْمُؤَسَّسَةِ لِمَعْرِفَةِ آخِرِ الْمَعْلُومَاتِ.

سْمِيثْسُونِيَان الْيَوْمَ وَالدُّرُوسُ وَالْأَسْئِلَةُ

مِنْ مَبْنًى وَاحِدٍ إِلَى شَبَكَةٍ لِلْمَعْرِفَةِ

تُدِيرُ مُؤَسَّسَةُ سْمِيثْسُونِيَان الْيَوْمَ شَبَكَةً كَبِيرَةً مِنَ الْمَتَاحِفِ، وَمَرَاكِزِ الْبُحُوثِ، وَالْمَكْتَبَاتِ، وَالْأَرْشِيفَاتِ، وَبَرَامِجِ الْحِفْظِ، وَالْمَنَصَّاتِ التَّعْلِيمِيَّةِ، وَحَدِيقَةِ الْحَيَوَانِ الْوَطَنِيَّةِ. وَتُقَدِّمُ مَتَاحِفُهَا فِي وَاشِنْطُن دُخُولًا عَامًّا مَجَّانِيًّا فِي الْغَالِبِ، وَتَغَطِّي مَجْمُوعَاتُهَا التَّارِيخَ وَالْفَنَّ وَالطَّيَرَانَ وَالْفَضَاءَ وَالطَّبِيعَةَ وَثَقَافَاتِ الْعَالَمِ.

دُرُوسٌ مِنَ الْحَلْقَةِ

تَسْتَطِيعُ الْهِبَةُ الْمُوَجَّهَةُ بِعِنَايَةٍ أَنْ تَخْدِمَ أَجْيَالًا بَعِيدَةً عَنْ زَمَنِ صَاحِبِهَا.

تَنْمُو الْمَعْرِفَةُ حِينَ يَتَعَاوَنُ الْبَحْثُ الْعِلْمِيُّ وَالتَّعْلِيمُ الْعَامُّ.

تُعَبِّرُ الْعِمَارَةُ عَنْ هُوِيَّةِ الْمُؤَسَّسَةِ، وَتَسْتَطِيعُ التَّكَيُّفَ مَعَ وَظَائِفَ جَدِيدَةٍ.

تَحْتَاجُ الْمَجْمُوعَاتُ إِلَى خُطَطٍ لِلْحِفْظِ؛ لِأَنَّ الْحَرِيقَ وَالتَّلَفَ قَدْ يُضَيِّعَانِ الشَّوَاهِدَ.

يُحَوِّلُ الدُّخُولُ الْمَجَّانِيُّ الْمُتْحَفَ مِنْ مَخْزَنٍ إِلَى مُؤَسَّسَةٍ تَعْلِيمِيَّةٍ حَيَّةٍ.

أَسْئِلَةٌ وَأَجْوِبَةٌ

مَنْ أَنْشَأَ مُؤَسَّسَةَ سْمِيثْسُونِيَان؟ أَنْشَأَهَا الْكُونْغِرِسُ الْأَمْرِيكِيُّ سَنَةَ ١٨٤٦ بِأَمْوَالِ وَصِيَّةِ الْعَالِمِ الْبِرِيطَانِيِّ جِيمْس سْمِيثْسُون.

هَلْ زَارَ سْمِيثْسُون الْوِلَايَاتِ الْمُتَّحِدَةَ؟ لَا. وَهَذَا مَا يَجْعَلُ هِبَتَهُ أَكْثَرَ دَهْشَةً.

مَا غَايَةُ الْمُؤَسَّسَةِ؟ زِيَادَةُ الْمَعْرِفَةِ وَنَشْرُهَا بَيْنَ النَّاسِ.

مَنْ صَمَّمَ الْقَلْعَةَ؟ صَمَّمَهَا الْمِعْمَارِيُّ جِيمْس رِينْوِيك الِابْنُ.

مَتَى بُنِيَتْ؟ بَدَأَ الْبِنَاءُ سَنَةَ ١٨٤٧، وَاكْتَمَلَ عَلَى مَرَاحِلَ حَتَّى سَنَةِ ١٨٥٥.

لِمَاذَا تُسَمَّى الْقَلْعَةَ؟ لِأَنَّ أَبْرَاجَهَا وَأَقْوَاسَهَا وَحَجَرَهَا الْأَحْمَرَ تُذَكِّرُ بِقِلَاعِ أُورُوبَّا فِي الْعُصُورِ الْوُسْطَى.

مَاذَا حَدَثَ سَنَةَ ١٨٦٥؟ دَمَّرَ حَرِيقٌ جُزْءًا مِنَ الْمَبْنَى وَمَجْمُوعَاتٍ وَسِجِلَّاتٍ قَيِّمَةً.

أَيْنَ دُفِنَ سْمِيثْسُون؟ يَرْقُدُ فِي ضَرِيحٍ قُرْبَ الْمَدْخَلِ الشَّمَالِيِّ لِلْقَلْعَةِ.

خَطِّطْ لِزِيَارَتِكَ مَعَ زُهَيْرِي تُورْز

تَقَعُ قَلْعَةُ سْمِيثْسُونِيَان فِي 1000 Jefferson Drive SW عَلَى الْمُتَنَزَّهِ الْوَطَنِيِّ. وَحَتَّى أَثْنَاءِ التَّرْمِيمِ يَظَلُّ مَظْهَرُهَا الْخَارِجِيُّ مَحَطَّةً مُهِمَّةً لِفَهْمِ تَارِيخِ الْمُتَنَزَّهِ وَمَتَاحِفِ سْمِيثْسُونِيَان. لِلْجَوْلَاتِ وَالْحَجْزِ، زُورُوا www.zohery.com أَوِ اتَّصِلُوا عَلَى +1-202-437-1295.

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Copyright © 2026 · Zohery Tours