The buildings that house our collections are as important as the exhibitions themselves and the buildings are in fact our largest collection. Our mission is to provide world-class stewardship and to guarantee to the public that these beloved buildings will function forever as living memorials which house our nation's treasures. The Architectural History and Historic Preservation staff watches over our collection of buildings and ensures that our uses of these buildings always keep their history and character intact for generations to come.
Learn More about the Architectural History and Historic Preservation
AHHP Spotlight
![Exterior of the Smithsonian Arts and Industries Building (AIB)](/sites/ahhp/files/inline-images/aib1_0.png)
![Ceiling in the Arts and Industry Building](/sites/ahhp/files/inline-images/header_windows_new-1024x6801.jpg)
![Exterior of the Smithsonian Arts and Industries Building](/sites/ahhp/files/inline-images/smithsonian-arts-and-industries-building-0971.jpg)
Preserving Heritage Assets -
Our Strategic Plan
The AHHP Strategic Plan 2020-2024 outlines the goals and objectives to ensure the alignment of historic preservation values into all capital improvement and rehabilitation projects of the Smithsonian Institution's Office of Planning, Design, and Construction, and with museum initiatives.