An engagingly written volume which tells the colourful story of the Renwick Gallery's initial glory, decline, and rebirth over a period of 160 years Fully illustrated with maps, original architectural designs, historical and contemporary photographs, and comparative and contextual images The Renwick Gallery is the oldest extant building in the United States constructed exclusively as a public art museum. Charles J. Robertson reveals how a new pavilion of the Louvre inspired William Wilson Corcoran and James Renwick to create a highly ornamented building in the centre of federal Washington that would encourage "American genius" and demonstrate that American art could rival that of Europe. The Renwick Gallery building has survived wartime expropriation, abuse and neglect, and threatened demolition over its 160-year history. It has been subject to many changes and challenges but has come full circle to serve its original purpose, "Dedicated to Art". Contents: Foreword; Mr. Corcoran; Renwick and Corcoran Design of the New Gallery; The War Begins; General Meigs; Reclaiming the Gallery; Opening the Gallery; The Later Years The Court of Claims; Saving the Building; Restoring the Building; The Current Era; Notes; Selected Bibliography; Illustration Sources and Credits; Index AUTHOR: Charles Robertson is the deputy director emeritus of the Smithsonian American Art Museum and a specialist in American decorative arts. 45 colour, 45 b&w illustrations