A new exhibit, American Place: The Historic American Buildings Survey at 75 Years, is now open at the U.S. Department of the Interior Museum. It highlights the Historic American Buildings Survey (HABS) and includes more than 50 photographs, drawings, and objects that depict the history of architectural survey in the United States.

The Historic American Buildings Survey, a division of the National Park Service, began in 1933 as a Works Progress Administration effort to put unemployed architects to work surveying, drawing and photographing America’s architectural heritage. In 1966, the National Historic Preservation Act was passed and HABS was joined by other federal preservation programs like the National Register of Historic Places.

The exhibition is open to the public until November 14, 2008. The Interior Museum is located on the first floor of the Main Interior Building at 1849 C Street, NW between 18th and 19th Streets. The museum is open to the public Monday through Friday from 8:30 am until 4:30 pm and from 1:00 pm until 4:00 pm on the third Saturday of each month, except for all Federal holidays. Entrance is free but all adults must have photo ID to enter the building. For more information, please call 202-208-4743 or see the website: www.doi.gov/interiormuseum.