Skip to main content
RETURN TO Return to WETA website Donate
Boundary Stones logo

Main navigation

  • Washington, D.C.
  • Maryland
  • Virginia
  • Video
  • About

Herbert Hoover

DC
The Lesser-Known National Aquarium — or How 5 Alligators Ended Up in the Basement of the Commerce Building

The Lesser-Known National Aquarium — or How 5 Alligators Ended Up in the Basement of the Commerce Building

08/06/2019 in DC by Reagan Graney

Since opening in 1981, the National Aquarium in Baltimore has proved a popular tourist destination, an educational excursion, and a great refuge from the heat in summer months. Many people don’t know, however, that there was a smaller, more modest National Aquarium in D.C. for years before the one in Baltimore popped up.

Those who recall the original National Aquarium will remember it as a dark, tiny exhibit tucked away in the basement of a gigantic government building. But how exactly did this little-known Washington spot end up on the lowest floor of the Department of Commerce—today known as the Herbert C. Hoover building—on 14th St NW?

  • Share by Facebook
  • Share by Email

Read More

Surprise Me!

Not sure where to start reading? Let us pick a story for you!

Categories

  • DC (581)
  • Maryland (112)
  • Virginia (152)

Latest Posts

How a Taxidermist Helped Create the National Zoo and Save the Buffalo From Extinction

11/10/2023

How a Taxidermist Helped Create the National Zoo and Save the Buffalo From Extinction

"It is Well for Us, O Brother": the Samuel Coleridge-Taylor Choral Society of Washington D.C.

11/03/2023

"It is Well for Us, O Brother": the Samuel Coleridge-Taylor Choral Society of Washington D.C.

The Goatman of Prince George’s County

10/27/2023

The Goatman of Prince George’s County

Most Popular

How a Taxidermist Helped Create the National Zoo and Save the Buffalo From Extinction

11/10/2023

How a Taxidermist Helped Create the National Zoo and Save the Buffalo From Extinction

D.C.'s Electoral Vote

11/06/2012

D.C.'s Electoral Vote

Fairlington: Built to Last

12/03/2012

Fairlington: Built to Last

Tags

1860s1870s1890s1900s1910s1920s1930s1940s1950s1960s1970s1980s1990sAlexandriaArlingtonArtBlack HistoryBygone DCCivil WarGeorgetownMusic HistorySports HistoryWhite HouseWomen's HistoryWorld War II
More
Historical D.C. Metro Map
WETA

Footer menu

  • Support WETA
  • About WETA
  • Press Room
  • Contact Us
  • Newsletter
  • RSS
  • Accessibility

Contact Us

  • 3939 Campbell Avenue
    Arlington, VA 22206 | Map
  • 703-998-2600
  • boundarystones@weta.org

Connect with us

  • Facebook
  • YouTube

About Boundary Stones

Boundary Stones explores local history in Washington, D.C., suburban Maryland and northern Virginia. This project is a service of WETA and is supported by contributions from readers like you.

DONATE

Copyright © 2023 WETA. All Rights Reserved.

Bottom Footer

  • Terms
  • Privacy
  • Guidelines