Corcoran Gallery of Art
Museum Former Washington DC art museum with historical collection
Founded in 1869, the Corcoran Gallery of Art in Washington was a major 19th-20th-century art institution; its historic building on Pennsylvania Avenue draws interest from art historians and those studying museum history.
The Corcoran Gallery of Art was a private art museum and gallery institution in Washington, D.C., established in the 19th century and historically important to the city’s cultural life. Its founding collection and endowment were given by William Wilson Corcoran, and the institution occupied a landmark building on 17th Street NW.
The museum housed a broad collection of American and European art and operated public exhibitions and educational programmes for over a century. The institution underwent a major change in 2014 when its collection and institutional functions were redistributed; the original Corcoran building is now used by a university arts school and for exhibitions under new administration.
The Corcoran building occupies a prominent site near Lafayette Square and the central Washington federal district. The structure remains a recognizable architectural landmark in the downtown area and continues to host arts-related activity under its current institutional arrangements.
- Founding: Founded in 1869 by philanthropist William Wilson Corcoran and for many years was one of Washington's principal private art museums.
How to Get to Corcoran Gallery of Art #
The former Corcoran building sits at 17th Street NW between G and H Streets, a five-minute walk from the Foggy Bottom-GWU Metro station (Blue, Orange, Silver lines) and about 15 minutes’ walk from the National Mall. Numerous Metrobus routes run along 17th Street.
Tips for Visiting Corcoran Gallery of Art #
- The Corcoran ceased operating as an independent museum in 2014; check current exhibitions in the building since it now houses GWU programs and event spaces.
- If researching the original Corcoran collection, contact the National Gallery of Art (Washington) which holds much of the Corcoran's works.
- Photograph the building's 19th-century façade and the yard; the architecture is the surviving public face of the institution.
Best Time to Visit Corcoran Gallery of Art #
Visit when nearby museums are open; the Corcoran building no longer operates as a standalone public gallery, so check current schedules of events in the building.
Weather & Climate near Corcoran Gallery of Art #
Corcoran Gallery of Art's climate is classified as Humid Subtropical - Humid Subtropical climate with hot summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -4°C to 32°C. Abundant rainfall (1042 mm/year), wettest in May, distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.
January
January is the coolest month with highs of 6°C and lows of -4°C. Moderate rainfall (79 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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February
February is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of -2°C. Moderate rainfall (69 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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March
March is cold with highs of 14°C and lows of 2°C. Regular rainfall (91 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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April
April is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 6°C. Moderate rainfall (78 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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May
May is mild with highs of 25°C and lows of 12°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (103 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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June
June is mild with highs of 29°C and lows of 17°C. Regular rainfall (87 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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July
July is the warmest month with highs of 32°C and lows of 20°C. Significant rainfall (101 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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August
August is warm with highs of 31°C and lows of 19°C. Regular rainfall (95 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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September
September is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 15°C. Regular rainfall (94 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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October
October is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 8°C. Regular rainfall (82 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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November
November is cold with highs of 15°C and lows of 3°C. Regular rainfall (83 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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December
December is cold with highs of 9°C and lows of -1°C. Regular rainfall (80 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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