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Coordinates: 38°53′20.7″N 77°1′42.2″W / 38.889083°N 77.028389°W / 38.889083; -77.028389
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{{Short description|Washington Metro station}}
[[Image:Smithsonian_metro_station.jpg|thumb|240px|right|A train arrives at Smithsonian station.]]'''Smithsonian''' is a [[Washington Metro]] station in [[Washington, DC]] on the [[Blue Line (Washington Metro)|Blue]] and [[Orange Line (Washington Metro)|Orange Line]]s.
{{Use American English|date=February 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2018}}
{{Infobox station
| name = Smithsonian<br />{{small|National Mall}}
| style = WMATA
| symbol = orange
| symbol2 = silver
| symbol3 = blue
| symbol_location = washington
| image = WMATA Smithsonian.jpg
| image_caption = View from mezzanine in August 2021
| address = 1200 [[Independence Avenue (Washington D.C.)|Independence Avenue SW]]
| borough = [[Washington, D.C.]], U.S.
| owned = [[Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority]]
| platform = 2 [[side platform]]s
| tracks = 2
| connections = {{Unbulleted list
| {{bus icon}} [[Metrobus (Washington, D.C.)|Metrobus]]: [[14th Street Line (Washington, D.C.)|52]]
| {{bus icon}} [[Loudoun County Commuter Bus]]
| {{bus icon}} [[Potomac and Rappahannock Transportation Commission|OmniRide Commuter]]
}}
| structure = Underground
| parking =
| bicycle = [[Capital Bikeshare]], 2&nbsp;[[Bicycle parking rack|racks]]
| accessible = Yes
| passengers = 5,287 daily<ref name="Data">{{cite web |title=Metrorail Ridership Summary |url=https://www.wmata.com/initiatives/ridership-portal/Metrorail-Ridership-Summary.cfm |publisher=Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority |access-date=May 4, 2025}}</ref>
| pass_year = 2024
| pass_rank = 17 out of 98
| opened = {{start date and age|July 1, 1977}}
| code = D02
| services = {{Adjacent stations|system=WMATA
|line1=Orange|left1=Federal Triangle|right1=L'Enfant Plaza
|line2=Silver|left2=Federal Triangle|right2=L'Enfant Plaza
|line3=Blue|left3=Federal Triangle|right3=L'Enfant Plaza
}}
| route_map = {{Routemap|inline=yes|legend=no|map=
numN020\\utvSTRfg!~MFADEg\b~~ {{rmri|U}} {{stl|WMATA|Federal Triangle}}
utvSTR
utv-PSTR\utvPSTR-
utv-PSTR\utvPSTR-
utv-PSTR\utvPSTR-
utvSTR
utvSTRfg!~MFADEf~~ {{rmri|D}} {{stl|WMATA|L'Enfant Plaza}}
}}
| map_state = collapsed
| mapframe = yes
| mapframe-custom = {{Infobox mapframe |shape=none |line=none |marker=rail-metro |marker-color=#000 |zoom=15 }}
}}


'''Smithsonian station''' is a [[Washington Metro]] station at the [[National Mall]] in [[Washington, D.C.]], United States. The [[side platform]]ed station was opened on July 1, 1977, and is operated by the [[Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority]] (WMATA). It is a stop on the [[Blue Line (Washington Metro)|Blue]], [[Orange Line (Washington Metro)|Orange]] and [[Silver Line (Washington Metro)|Silver Lines]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.wmata.com/rider-guide/stations/smithsonian.cfm |title=Smithsonian |website=WMATA |accessdate=May 21, 2018}}</ref> The station's south entrance is at the southwest corner of [[Independence Avenue (Washington D.C.)|Independence Avenue]] and 12th Street, Southwest, the street elevator is at the northwest corner of the same intersection, and the north entrance is on the south side of the Mall near Jefferson Drive, Southwest.
The station is located in the center of the [[National Mall]], with the south entrance at Independence Avenue and 12th Street, Southwest, and the north entrance located directly on the Mall. It is named after its proximity to most of the museums and tourist attractions in Washington, particularly the [[Smithsonian]] museums. It is also very near some federal buildings, including the [[Department of Agriculture]] and [[Department of Energy]]. Near this station is where Metro had their first fatality, when a train derailed on [[January 13]], [[1982]], the same day an [[Air Florida]] plane crashed into the 14th Street Bridge. Service began on [[July 1]], [[1977]].


The station is named for its proximity to the [[Smithsonian Institution]]'s [[museum]]s and is close to the [[Washington Monument]], the [[Tidal Basin, Washington DC|Tidal Basin]] and other tourist attractions on and near the National Mall. The station is also near several federal office buildings, including those of the [[United States Department of Agriculture|Department of Agriculture]] and the [[United States Department of Energy|Department of Energy]].
Since 2002, Smithsonian station has been closed all day on July 4 due to its entrances being located within the secure perimeter established around the [[National Mall]] for July 4 activities.


==Notable Places Nearby==
== History ==
[[File:smithsonian pylon.jpg|left|110px]]
*Several [[Federal Government]] buildings, including:
The station opened on July 1, 1977.<ref name="July 1, 1977">{{Citation |last =Feaver |first =Douglas B. |title = Today, Metro could be U.S. model |newspaper = The Washington Post |page = A1 |date =July 1, 1977}}</ref> Its opening coincided with the completion of {{convert|11.8|mi|km}}<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.wmata.com/about/upload/Metro-Facts-2017-FINAL.pdf |title=Sequence of Metrorail openings |date=2017 |publisher=WMATA |page=3 |accessdate=May 21, 2018}}</ref> of rail between [[Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport|National Airport]] and [[Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium|RFK Stadium]] and the opening of the [[Arlington Cemetery (Washington Metro)|Arlington Cemetery]], [[Capitol South (Washington Metro)|Capitol South]], [[Crystal City station (Washington Metro)|Crystal City]], [[Eastern Market (Washington Metro)|Eastern Market]], [[Farragut West (Washington Metro)|Farragut West]], [[Federal Center SW (Washington Metro)|Federal Center SW]], [[Federal Triangle (Washington Metro)|Federal Triangle]], [[Foggy Bottom – GWU (Washington Metro)|Foggy Bottom–GWU]], [[L'Enfant Plaza (Washington Metro)|L'Enfant Plaza]], [[McPherson Square (Washington Metro)|McPherson Square]], [[Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (Washington Metro)|National Airport]], [[Pentagon (Washington Metro)|Pentagon]], [[Pentagon City (Washington Metro)|Pentagon City]], [[Potomac Avenue (Washington Metro)|Potomac Avenue]], [[Rosslyn (Washington Metro)|Rosslyn]], and [[Stadium–Armory (Washington Metro)|Stadium–Armory]] stations.<ref name="June 24, 1977">{{Citation |last =Staff Reporters |title =Metro's newest stations: Where they are, what's nearby |newspaper = The Washington Post |date =June 24, 1977}}</ref> Orange Line service to the station began upon the line's opening on November 20, 1978.<ref name="November 18, 1978">{{Citation |last =Eisen |first =Jack |author2=John Feinstein |title =City-County fanfare opens Orange Line; Ceremonies open new Orange Line |newspaper =The Washington Post |page = D1 |date =November 18, 1978}}</ref> Silver Line service at Smithsonian station began on July 26, 2014.<ref>{{cite news|last=Halsey |first=Ashley |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/trafficandcommuting/all-aboard-metros-new-silver-line-rolls-down-the-tracks-for-the-first-time/2014/07/26/238aaa68-14cc-11e4-8936-26932bcfd6ed_story.html |title=All aboard! Metro's new Silver Line rolls down the tracks for the first time |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=July 26, 2014 |accessdate=July 8, 2016}}</ref>
**[[Bureau of Engraving and Printing]]
**[[Department of Agriculture]] (USDA)
**[[Department of Energy]]
*[[National Mall]]
*Several [[Smithsonian]] museums, nearest are:
**[[Arthur M. Sackler Gallery]]
**[[Arts and Industries Building]]
**[[Freer Gallery]]
**[[Hirshhorn Museum]]
**[[National Museum of African Art]]
**[[National Museum of American History]]
**[[National Museum of Natural History]]
**[[Smithsonian Institute Building]] (The "Castle")
*[[Tidal Basin]] (where the [[National Cherry Blossom Festival|cherry blossoms]] bloom)
*[[United States Holocaust Memorial Museum]]
*[[Washington Monument]]


Near this station, Metro had its first fatalities, which occurred on January 13, 1982, when a [[1982 Washington Metro train derailment|train derailed]].<ref name="January 14, 1982">{{cite news | title = Metro Train -Derails; 3 Die | author = Stephen J. Lynton | newspaper = The Washington Post | date = January 14, 1982 }}</ref> On the same day, [[Air Florida Flight 90]] crashed into the [[14th Street Bridge (Potomac River)|14th Street Bridge]]. The two events closed the [[Federal government of the United States|federal government]] in the [[Washington Metropolitan Area]].<ref name="January 14, 1982" />
== External Links ==
* WMATA: [http://www.wmata.com/metrorail/Stations/station.cfm?station=54 Smithsonian Station]
* world.nycsubway.org: [http://world.nycsubway.org/us/washdc/blue/wmata-blue-smithsonian.html Smithsonian Station]
* The Schumin Web Transit Center: [http://transit.schuminweb.com/rail/washington/stations/blue/smithsonian.asp Smithsonian Station]


The Smithsonian station was closed all day on the [[Independence Day (United States)|Fourth of July]] from 2002 to 2008, as its north entrance is within the secure perimeter established around the National Mall during Independence Day events. Metro stopped closing Smithsonian station on July 4 beginning in 2009.<ref name="noclosing">{{cite press release |title=Metro outlines Independence Day service |publisher=Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority |date=June 30, 2009 |url=http://www.wmata.com/about_metro/news/PressReleaseDetail.cfm?ReleaseID=2646 |accessdate=December 26, 2010 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090705031844/http://www.wmata.com/about_metro/news/PressReleaseDetail.cfm?ReleaseID=2646|archivedate=2009-07-05|url-status=dead }}</ref>
{{start WMATA box}}
{{WMATA two line|previous=[[Federal Triangle (Washington Metro)|Federal Triangle]]|line1=Blue Line|line2=Orange Line|next=[[L'Enfant Plaza (Washington Metro)|L'Enfant Plaza]]}}
{{end box}}


On April 14, 2016, Metro proposed to change the name of the station adding "National Mall" to the station name.<ref name="National Mall">{{cite web |url=https://www.wmata.com/about_metro/board_of_directors/board_docs/041416_3BStationNameChangeSmithsonian.pdf|title=Station Name Change Proposals|author=Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority |year=2016 |accessdate=August 20, 2016}}</ref>
[[Category:Washington Metro stops]]

On June 25, 2017, "National Mall" was added as a subtitle to "Smithsonian".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.wmata.com/service/status/details/upload/June25FareServiceChanges_PrintableBrochure_English.pdf |title=June 25 Fare Service Changes |website=WMATA}}</ref>

From March 19, 2020, until June 28, 2020, this station was closed due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic in Washington, D.C.|COVID-19 pandemic]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.wmata.com/schedules/maps/upload/2019-System-Map-COVID-19-stations-FINAL.pdf |title=Special Covid-19 System Map |publisher=[[Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority]] |accessdate=May 24, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.wmata.com/service/status/details/covid-station-closures.cfm |title=Metrorail stations closed due to COVID-19 pandemic |date=March 23, 2020 |publisher=[[Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority]] |accessdate=May 24, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Metro to reopen 15 stations, reallocate bus service to address crowding, starting Sunday {{!}} WMATA |url=https://www.wmata.com/about/news/Metro-to-reopen-15-stations-reallocate-bus-service.cfm |website=www.wmata.com |accessdate=22 June 2020}}</ref>

From January 15 to January 21, 2021, this station was closed because of security concerns due to the [[Inauguration of Joe Biden]],<ref>{{cite web |title=Metro announces Inauguration service plans, station closures {{!}} WMATA |url=https://www.wmata.com/about/news/2021-Inauguration-Service-Adjustments.cfm |website=www.wmata.com |access-date=13 January 2021}}</ref> in light of the [[January 6 United States Capitol attack]].

== Notable places nearby ==
* Several [[Federal government of the United States|Federal Government]] buildings, including:
** [[Bureau of Engraving and Printing]]
** [[United States Department of Agriculture]]
** [[United States Department of Energy]]
* [[National Mall]]
* Several [[Smithsonian]] museums, nearest are:
** [[Arthur M. Sackler Gallery]]
** [[Arts and Industries Building]]
** [[Freer Gallery]]
** [[Hirshhorn Museum]]
** [[National Museum of African Art]]
** [[National Museum of American History]]
** [[National Museum of Natural History]]
**[[National Museum of African American History and Culture]]
** [[Smithsonian Institution Building]] (The "Castle")
* [[Tidal Basin, Washington DC|Tidal Basin]] (where the [[National Cherry Blossom Festival|cherry blossoms]] bloom)
* [[United States Holocaust Memorial Museum]]
* [[Washington Monument]]<ref>{{cite book|author=Jesse Leaf|title=The Everything Family Guide To Washington D.C.: All the Best Hotels, Restaurants, Sites, and Attractions|url=https://archive.org/details/everythingfamily00jess|url-access=registration|date=March 13, 2007|publisher=Adams Media|isbn=978-1-4405-2411-0|page=[https://archive.org/details/everythingfamily00jess/page/112 112]|quote=accessible from the Smithsonian Metro station...}}</ref>

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
* {{Commons category-inline}}
{{WMATA links}}
* The Schumin Web Transit Center: [https://web.archive.org/web/20090328015949/http://transit.schuminweb.com/transit/wmata/blue-line.php?station=D02 Smithsonian Station]
* The Mall Entrance (North Entrance) is at coordinates {{coord|38|53|20.7|N|77|1|42.2|W|type:railwaystation|display=inline,title}}
* The Independence Avenue and 12th Street SW Entrance (South Entrance) is at coordinates {{coord|38|53|14.7|N|77|1|42.6|W|type:railwaystation}}
* The Street Elevator Entrance is at coordinates {{coord|38|53|15.90|N|77|1|42.75|W|type:railwaystation}}
* [https://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ie=UTF8&ll=38.888641,-77.0282&spn=0.003975,0.013722&z=17&layer=c&cbll=38.888641,-77.0282&panoid=eRYtCFFBViFT2o04m4AN6g&cbp=12,347.89,,1,1.27 Jefferson Drive entrance from Google Maps Street View]
* [https://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ie=UTF8&ll=38.887592,-77.028247&spn=0.003975,0.013722&z=17&layer=c&cbll=38.887587,-77.028427&panoid=dxc-I1vdm1bU3Ck3ur2k5w&cbp=12,194.31,,0,6.9 Independence Avenue entrance from Google Maps Street View]

{{Washington Metro stations navbox}}

[[Category:Stations on the Blue Line (Washington Metro)]]
[[Category:Stations on the Orange Line (Washington Metro)]]
[[Category:Stations on the Silver Line (Washington Metro)]]
[[Category:Washington Metro stations in Washington, D.C.]]
[[Category:Railway stations in the United States opened in 1977]]
[[Category:1977 establishments in Washington, D.C.]]
[[Category:Railway stations located underground in Washington, D.C.]]

Latest revision as of 21:05, 4 May 2025

Smithsonian
National Mall
View from mezzanine in August 2021
General information
Location1200 Independence Avenue SW
Washington, D.C., U.S.
Owned byWashington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority
Platforms2 side platforms
Tracks2
Connections
Construction
Structure typeUnderground
Bicycle facilitiesCapital Bikeshare, 2 racks
AccessibleYes
Other information
Station codeD02
History
OpenedJuly 1, 1977; 47 years ago (July 1, 1977)
Passengers
20245,287 daily[1]
Rank17 out of 98
Services
Preceding station Washington Metro Following station
Federal Triangle
toward Vienna
 Orange Line L'Enfant Plaza
toward New Carrollton
Federal Triangle
toward Ashburn
 Silver Line L'Enfant Plaza
toward Downtown Largo
Federal Triangle
toward Franconia–Springfield
 Blue Line
Location
Map

Smithsonian station is a Washington Metro station at the National Mall in Washington, D.C., United States. The side platformed station was opened on July 1, 1977, and is operated by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA). It is a stop on the Blue, Orange and Silver Lines.[2] The station's south entrance is at the southwest corner of Independence Avenue and 12th Street, Southwest, the street elevator is at the northwest corner of the same intersection, and the north entrance is on the south side of the Mall near Jefferson Drive, Southwest.

The station is named for its proximity to the Smithsonian Institution's museums and is close to the Washington Monument, the Tidal Basin and other tourist attractions on and near the National Mall. The station is also near several federal office buildings, including those of the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Energy.

History

[edit]

The station opened on July 1, 1977.[3] Its opening coincided with the completion of 11.8 miles (19.0 km)[4] of rail between National Airport and RFK Stadium and the opening of the Arlington Cemetery, Capitol South, Crystal City, Eastern Market, Farragut West, Federal Center SW, Federal Triangle, Foggy Bottom–GWU, L'Enfant Plaza, McPherson Square, National Airport, Pentagon, Pentagon City, Potomac Avenue, Rosslyn, and Stadium–Armory stations.[5] Orange Line service to the station began upon the line's opening on November 20, 1978.[6] Silver Line service at Smithsonian station began on July 26, 2014.[7]

Near this station, Metro had its first fatalities, which occurred on January 13, 1982, when a train derailed.[8] On the same day, Air Florida Flight 90 crashed into the 14th Street Bridge. The two events closed the federal government in the Washington Metropolitan Area.[8]

The Smithsonian station was closed all day on the Fourth of July from 2002 to 2008, as its north entrance is within the secure perimeter established around the National Mall during Independence Day events. Metro stopped closing Smithsonian station on July 4 beginning in 2009.[9]

On April 14, 2016, Metro proposed to change the name of the station adding "National Mall" to the station name.[10]

On June 25, 2017, "National Mall" was added as a subtitle to "Smithsonian".[11]

From March 19, 2020, until June 28, 2020, this station was closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[12][13][14]

From January 15 to January 21, 2021, this station was closed because of security concerns due to the Inauguration of Joe Biden,[15] in light of the January 6 United States Capitol attack.

Notable places nearby

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Metrorail Ridership Summary". Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority. Retrieved May 4, 2025.
  2. ^ "Smithsonian". WMATA. Retrieved May 21, 2018.
  3. ^ Feaver, Douglas B. (July 1, 1977), "Today, Metro could be U.S. model", The Washington Post, p. A1
  4. ^ "Sequence of Metrorail openings" (PDF). WMATA. 2017. p. 3. Retrieved May 21, 2018.
  5. ^ Staff Reporters (June 24, 1977), "Metro's newest stations: Where they are, what's nearby", The Washington Post
  6. ^ Eisen, Jack; John Feinstein (November 18, 1978), "City-County fanfare opens Orange Line; Ceremonies open new Orange Line", The Washington Post, p. D1
  7. ^ Halsey, Ashley (July 26, 2014). "All aboard! Metro's new Silver Line rolls down the tracks for the first time". The Washington Post. Retrieved July 8, 2016.
  8. ^ a b Stephen J. Lynton (January 14, 1982). "Metro Train -Derails; 3 Die". The Washington Post.
  9. ^ "Metro outlines Independence Day service" (Press release). Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority. June 30, 2009. Archived from the original on July 5, 2009. Retrieved December 26, 2010.
  10. ^ Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (2016). "Station Name Change Proposals" (PDF). Retrieved August 20, 2016.
  11. ^ "June 25 Fare Service Changes" (PDF). WMATA.
  12. ^ "Special Covid-19 System Map" (PDF). Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority. Retrieved May 24, 2020.
  13. ^ "Metrorail stations closed due to COVID-19 pandemic". Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority. March 23, 2020. Retrieved May 24, 2020.
  14. ^ "Metro to reopen 15 stations, reallocate bus service to address crowding, starting Sunday | WMATA". www.wmata.com. Retrieved June 22, 2020.
  15. ^ "Metro announces Inauguration service plans, station closures | WMATA". www.wmata.com. Retrieved January 13, 2021.
  16. ^ Jesse Leaf (March 13, 2007). The Everything Family Guide To Washington D.C.: All the Best Hotels, Restaurants, Sites, and Attractions. Adams Media. p. 112. ISBN 978-1-4405-2411-0. accessible from the Smithsonian Metro station...
[edit]
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