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Lillian & Albert Small Capital Jewish Museum facts for kids
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| Former name |
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| Established |
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| Location | 575 3rd Street NW, Washington, D.C. 20008 |
| Type |
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Adas Israel Synagogue (original)
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Adas Israel Synagogue in 2008
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| Built | 1876 |
| Architect | Max Kleinman; J. William & Co. |
| NRHP reference No. | 69000288 |
| Significant dates | |
| Added to NRHP | March 24, 1969 |
The Capital Jewish Museum is a special place in Washington, D.C.. It teaches about the history of Jewish people living in the capital city. It also covers the surrounding areas. The museum is officially called the Lillian & Albert Small Capital Jewish Museum.
This organization used to be known as the Jewish Historical Society of Greater Washington. It changed its name in 2018. This was to get ready for its new museum building. The group started in 1960. From 1975 to 2016, it ran a museum inside the historic Adas Israel Synagogue. This synagogue was built in 1876. It is the oldest synagogue building still standing in the city. The synagogue building has been moved three times. Its final move in 2019 made it part of the Capital Jewish Museum.
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A New Museum for Jewish History
The Capital Jewish Museum is a big project. It cost $34 million to build. The museum is about 25,000 square feet. It is located in the Judiciary Square area of Northwest Washington, D.C.
The new building has four floors. Three of these floors are for exhibits and programs. The historic synagogue is a main part of the new museum. Its inside has been made to look like it did originally. The museum calls the synagogue its "centerpiece." It is also called the "largest artifact" in the museum.
Amazing Artifacts to Discover
The museum has many interesting items. These items help tell the story of Jewish life.
- A lace collar worn by U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
- A notebook used by Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis.
- Old photographs of Jewish life in Washington. One picture shows President Calvin Coolidge in 1925. He was dedicating a local Jewish Community Center.
- A banner carried by Hyman Bookbinder. He was a Jewish lobbyist. He carried it at the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom.
- A kippah (yarmulke) from a White House Hanukkah celebration.
- Items from local Jewish businesses and families. These include a bookstore sign and a wedding cup.
The Historic Adas Israel Synagogue
The historic Adas Israel Synagogue was built in 1876. It was first located at 6th and G Streets, Northwest. It was built for the Adas Israel Congregation.
President of the United States Ulysses S. Grant went to the synagogue's opening. This happened on June 9, 1876. It was the first Jewish service a sitting president ever attended. This building is the oldest synagogue building still standing in Washington, D.C.
Many immigrants from Eastern Europe and Russia came to the city. This made the congregation grow. The congregation used this synagogue until 1908. Then, they moved to a new building. That building is now known as the Sixth & I Historic Synagogue.
The original 1876 building was sold. Over the years, different churches used the second floor. The first floor was divided into shops. It housed a bicycle shop, a barber, and grocery stores.
Saving the Synagogue
In the 1960s, the synagogue was in danger. Plans for a new transit headquarters meant it might be torn down. The Jewish Historical Society of Greater Washington stepped in. They worked with the government to save the building.
They arranged to move the building three city blocks. This happened on September 1, 1969. President Richard Nixon signed a law. This law allowed the city to buy the building. The Jewish Historical Society could then lease it for $1 a year for 99 years. This was to protect its history.
The Jewish Historical Society restored the synagogue. It became the home of the Lillian & Albert Small Jewish Museum in 1975.
The historic synagogue building is very important. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is also part of the Save America's Treasures program. It is one of the oldest synagogue buildings still standing in the United States.
Moving to its New Home
Starting in 2016, the building had to move again. The land it was on was sold. So, the museum closed. The building was moved to a new permanent spot. A new museum building was built around it.
The move happened in two steps. First, the synagogue moved about 50 feet to a temporary spot. It waited there for a new parking garage to be built. This garage would be its permanent base. Then, in early 2019, the building moved to its final home. This is at the corner of Third and F Streets, NW.
Local leaders watched the move and gave speeches. A rabbi said a special prayer. At its new location, the synagogue faces east. This follows Jewish tradition. It is now a key part of the Capital Jewish Museum.