Smithsonian Castle hauntings

The Smithsonian Institution Building ('the Castle') was designed by James Renwick Jr. and completed in 1855 as the original building of the Smithsonian Institution. Local lore includes anecdotal reports of unexplained noises and sightings inside the Castle, and the building is frequently included on Washington ghost-tour routes. These reports are part of popular storytelling about the site; the Castle's architectural history and institutional role are documented by the Smithsonian.