The National Building Museum is a cultural institution dedicated to the built environment. Est. 1980
OUR MISSION
The National Building Museum inspires curiosity about the world we design and build. OUR VISION
The National Building Museum educates, entertains, and engages people about the built environment and challenges them to advocate for a sustainable and equitable future. Since it was founded in 1980, the National Building Museum has transformed the public’s understanding of the impact of arc
06/15/2026
B is for Building Readers Club! 📚✨
Our letter B is brushing up on its reading list before joining us at THE PLAYGROUND on August 29 for a special Building Readers Club storytime.
Mark your calendars for a day of books, imagination, and play. 🛝
What’s the best part of a playground? We put our Building Readers Club members on the spot to find out. 🎤
During a special screening of the new PBS KIDS show Phoebe & Jay, we asked young visitors what they love most about playgrounds. 🛝
THE PLAYGROUND opens July 3, and Building Readers Club will be joining us this August for a special storytime and play experience. 📚
What’s your favorite part of a playground?
❤️ Big thank you to PBS KIDS for joining us!
06/05/2026
L is for Late Night at THE PLAYGROUND 🛝
Three summer evenings. Three different ways to experience THE PLAYGROUND after hours!
🌈 Late Night: In Color: July 9
🎲 Late Night: Unplug: July 23
🏃♀️ Late Night: Field Day: August 6
Join us after hours for music, movement, and unforgettable summer nights.
See you at THE PLAYGROUND! 🫡
05/29/2026
Our 2026 Gala brought together leaders, creators, and innovators for a night celebrating the power of design to shape the world around us. ✨
We were proud to present our 2026 Honor Award to , recognizing their groundbreaking impact on the way the world is designed and made. Through their Design and Make Platform, Autodesk continues to empower architects, engineers, designers, builders, and creators to imagine and create the future of the built environment.
This year’s celebration was made even more memorable with a special appearance from the oversized letters featured in our Capital Letters campaign for THE PLAYGROUND, partying all night long! 🛝
While the Gala may be over, the Museum’s commitment to telling stories about the world we design and build continues every day through exhibitions, programs, and initiatives that inspire curiosity, creativity, and connection.
💡 Learn more about the Honor Award and upcoming programs at nbm.org.
05/26/2026
It's hard to believe our final Future Friday of the season is almost here, but mark your calendars for Future Friday: Chattanooga on June 5, from 12-1 pm.
Moderated by James Darius Ball, this live conversation brings together Jon Jon Wesolowski, Shadrina Booker, and Dr. Mina Sartipi to explore Chattanooga’s remarkable transformation—from an industrial center into a hub for innovation in mobility, public space, and civic collaboration.
Together, they’ll discuss how residents, researchers, and civic leaders are shaping more equitable, connected, and future-ready cities.
➡️ Register here: orders.nbm.org/events/7c5df163-562a-63ee-30bf-0a40e73af35a
THE FINAL LETTER IS IN 👀
officially arrived with the letter P, completing Operation Capital Letters once and for all.
Watch until the end to see what’s taking over our Great Hall this summer… we can’t wait to see you there. ☀️
🎥 /
I think it’s safe to say our spelling game is almost over… Lauren just got another delivery this morning! 👀📦
Special delivery 📦 👀
With a little help from our amazing friend, President + CEO of elliottfergusondc, another letter is officially on the move across the city.
Operation Capital letters continues… 🤫
🎥 /
oh hey 👀 We definitely weren’t expecting a train delivery today… but the letter T has officially arrived at the museum.
T is for transit… or maybe something else...!
More letters are on the way before the big reveal.
❤️Special thanks to for getting this to us!
🎥 /
A is for 👀
Our board member Patrick Phillippi and his team helped us with this delivery as another letter made its way to the museum.
More letter drops are on the way…
🎥
| Monday | 10am - 5pm |
| Thursday | 10am - 5pm |
| Friday | 10am - 5pm |
| Saturday | 10am - 5pm |
| Sunday | 10am - 5pm |