The National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., officially opens to the public on March 17, 1941 with Pres. Franklin D. Roosevelt giving a dedication speech to about 6,000 guests.
It was Founded with a massive collection donated by Andrew W. Mellon. It now holds over 150,000 works of art. The museum's original neoclassical West Building was designed by John Russell Pope. the East Building was added l in 1978, designed by I.M. Pei. It is situated on the National Mall,.
