The Smithsonian's "Sleeping Beauty" awakens on the Mall

A whimsical fortress with an eventful past, it sits these days on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., as little more than eye candy. The Smithsonian's Arts and Industries Building (AIB for short), vacant for nearly 20 years due to major structural concerns, is about to reopen to the public this fall – just in time for the Smithsonian's 175th anniversary.

"I love this building," said Lonnie Bunch, Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution. "Look at the beauty of it, and the architecture. I love that it's got the date on it, and it says, 'The National Museum.' I mean, I just love that." "To me, this is the Mother of the Smithsonian," he said. "So much of what we do at the Smithsonian began here."