Names matter. Especially in Washington, D.C., where a name on a building can represent a legacy, a scandal, or a massive tax write-off. For decades, if you wanted to see some of the finest jade or Islamic metalwork in the world, you went to the Freer Sackler Museum DC. Today, you won't find those names on the big banners outside. The Smithsonian officially rebranded the complex as the National Museum of Asian Art in late 2019. It was a move aimed at modernization, sure, but it also helped the institution distance itself from the Sackler family name during the height of the opioid crisis litigation.
Walking into the museum today feels different than it did ten years ago. It's quieter. More intentional. The underground tunnel connecting the Freer Gallery of Art and the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery is still there, acting as a literal and metaphorical bridge between the 19th-century aesthetic of Charles Lang Freer and the more contemporary acquisitions of the late 20th century.
The Freer Sackler Museum DC Name Game
Honestly, locals still call it the Freer Sackler. Old habits die hard. If you're looking for the place on a map, you’re searching for the National Museum of Asian Art, located right on the National Mall. It’s basically two distinct buildings joined by an underground link. The Freer is the old-school one. It's Italian Renaissance-style, filled with light, and has a very specific vibe because of Charles Lang Freer’s original Will. He was a railroad mogul who was obsessed with the idea that American art and Asian art shared a universal "spirit."
Because of his strict legal requirements, nothing from the Freer collection can ever be loaned out. Nothing from the outside can be brought in for temporary display in those specific galleries. It’s a time capsule.
Then you have the Sackler side. This part of the Freer Sackler Museum DC was built much later, mostly underground. It’s where the high-profile international loans usually end up. While the "Sackler" name was scrubbed from much of the signage and digital presence following the controversy surrounding Purdue Pharma, the physical building was legally named by an act of Congress. Removing a name from a federal building isn't as simple as a new coat of paint. It takes literal legislation.
The Peacock Room: A Masterpiece of Petty
You can't talk about this place without mentioning the Peacock Room. It is, without a doubt, the most famous thing in the building. James McNeill Whistler, the painter, basically went rogue while his patron, Frederick Leyland, was away. He painted over expensive leather wall coverings with blue and gold peacocks. He even painted a mural of two peacocks fighting—one represents the artist, the other the "greedy" patron.
It’s hilarious. It’s beautiful. It’s the ultimate "don't leave your contractor alone in your house" story.
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When you stand in that room, the shutters are often closed to protect the pigments, but a few times a month, they open them up. The light hits the gold leaf, and the whole room glows. It’s one of those rare moments in D.C. where you feel like you’ve actually stepped out of the swamp and into a different century.
What Most People Miss Underground
Most tourists rush through. They see a few Buddhas, take a photo of the Peacock Room, and leave. They miss the Ancient Chinese Jades. These things are thousands of years old. Some are so thin they’re translucent.
The Freer Sackler Museum DC holds one of the most significant collections of Chinese ritual jades outside of China. We’re talking about the Liangzhu culture—stuff from 3300 BCE. It’s mind-bending to think about the craftsmanship required to carve nephrite jade without metal tools. They used sand. They used grit. They spent months, maybe years, on a single disc.
- The Pulverer Collection: One of the world's most important collections of Japanese illustrated books.
- The Islamic Metalwork: Incredible silver-inlaid brass from the 13th century.
- The Archives: They have over 120,000 photographs documenting the history of Asia.
Why the Sackler Controversy Changed Everything
Art isn't just about aesthetics; it's about the money that buys it. When the Sackler family's role in the opioid epidemic became public knowledge, museums around the world had to choose. The Louvre took the name down. The Met took the name down. In D.C., the Smithsonian had a harder time because of the aforementioned Congressional naming rights.
However, the museum has pivotally shifted its branding to focus on the "National Museum of Asian Art." This wasn't just a PR stunt. It coincided with a massive push to diversify the board and rethink how they present Asian culture to a Western audience. They’ve moved away from the "Orientalist" gaze of the early 1900s toward a more collaborative, scholarly approach.
Navigating the Museum Like a Pro
Getting there is easy. It’s right next to the Smithsonian Metro station (Blue, Orange, and Silver lines). But don't go through the main Castle entrance. Go to the Independence Avenue side. It’s less crowded.
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You should know that the Freer side is currently undergoing various rotations of its permanent collection. Because Freer’s will is so restrictive, the curators have to get creative with how they display his 26,000+ objects. You might see 19th-century American paintings by Winslow Homer hanging near Japanese ceramics. That was Freer’s whole point: "Points of contact." He wanted you to see the similarities, not the differences.
The Sackler side (Levels B1, B2, and B3) feels more like a modern gallery. The lighting is moodier. The ceilings are higher. This is where you’ll find the big, splashy exhibitions, like the recent deep dives into Hokusai or the art of the Qur'an.
The Secret Garden
Behind the museum, there's the Moongate Garden. It’s part of the Enid A. Haupt Garden complex. It’s inspired by the Temple of Heaven in Beijing. Most people walk right past it to get to the "hidden" entrance of the Sackler. Don't. Stop there for five minutes. It’s one of the few places on the Mall where you can actually hear yourself think.
Actionable Tips for Your Visit
If you’re planning a trip to the Freer Sackler Museum DC, don’t just wing it. D.C. museums are exhausting if you don't have a plan.
First, check the "Open Shutters" schedule for the Peacock Room. It usually happens on the third Thursday of the month. Seeing it in natural light is a completely different experience than seeing it under artificial spots.
Second, download the museum's app or use their digital guides. They’ve invested a lot in "SmARTify" and other tech to explain the symbolism in the Buddhist sculptures. Without the context, a lot of the iconography looks the same to the untrained eye. With the guide, you start to notice the specific mudras (hand gestures) and what they mean—fearlessness, teaching, meditation.
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Third, look for the "Persian Blues." The museum has an incredible collection of 12th-century Iranian ceramics. The color is a specific shade of turquoise that you just don't see in modern manufacturing. It was made using cobalt and copper, and it’s remarkably vibrant even after 800 years.
Fourth, check the film schedule. The Meyer Auditorium inside the museum hosts one of the best Asian film festivals in the country. Most screenings are free, but you need to grab tickets in advance.
Finally, remember that the Freer and Sackler are technically closed on Christmas Day, but open every other day of the year. Admission is free. You don't need a timed entry pass like you do for the African American History Museum or the Air and Space Museum, which makes it a great "plan B" if your other Mall goals fall through.
How to make the most of the National Museum of Asian Art:
- Start at the Freer Gallery entrance on Jefferson Drive for the classic 1923 architecture.
- Head straight to Gallery 12 to see the Peacock Room.
- Use the underground link to move to the Sackler side for contemporary installations.
- Visit the museum shop in the Sackler—it has some of the best curated jewelry and books in the Smithsonian system.
- Exit through the Haupt Garden to see the Moongate and the Renwick Gates.
The evolution of the Freer Sackler Museum DC is a reflection of how we view art and history in the 21st century. It’s complicated. It’s messy. It’s beautiful. Whether you call it the Freer Sackler or the National Museum of Asian Art, the treasures inside remain some of the most important cultural touchstones in Washington. Go for the peacocks, stay for the 5,000-year-old jade, and leave with a better understanding of how the East and West have been talking to each other for centuries.