Located between the Lincoln Memorial and the U.S. Department of State and adjacent to the National Academy of Sciences, the site for APhA headquarters was authorized by an act of Congress in 1932 and is the only privately owned building on the National Mall. The original structure has become known as the Pope building, after the architect John Russell Pope, whose work includes some of the most famous structures in Washington, DC. Pope was the architect for the Jefferson Memorial, National Archives, National Gallery of Art, and Constitution Hall.
The dedication of APhA headquarters was held on May 9, 1934. Twenty-five years later, in 1959, APhA broke ground for an annex to the original structure. The annex was completed within a year and dedicated during the 1960 APhA Annual Meeting. More than 40 years later, plans were unveiled at the 2001 APhA Annual Meeting to purchase the land behind APhA headquarters and replace the annex with a new structure.
Because of its prominent location among Washington’s iconic monuments, APhA knew its modified headquarters needed to meet the highest standards of architectural design. With guidance from Hartman-Cox Architects, APhA secured the necessary community and government approvals over several years.
APhA's new structure began with careful site remediation: the land north of the former annex was cleaned to remove traces of dry-cleaning chemicals left in the soil by a previous occupant during the 1940s and 1950s. Given its location near the Potomac River basin, the building was designed with advanced groundwater management systems. During excavation, however, crews discovered that it sits on a solid rock shelf. Creating the two lowest levels required carefully controlled blasting in an urban setting surrounded by historic structures, with seismographs installed nearby to ensure vibrations remained within safe limits. Beyond its elegant exterior, APhA’s headquarters was built for long-term durability. To meet government occupancy standards, the structure incorporates “progressive collapse” design, which helps the building remain standing if a supporting column fails.
With the construction of the 2009 annex, consisting of six floors above grade and two below, plus two parking levels, APhA's gross building area increased from 31,000 square feet to 359,026 square feet. The added space enables the Association to lease office space to the Department of State.
APhA’s enlarged footprint on the National Mall in Washington, DC was dedicated on November 13th, 2009 with 400 people in attendance. Speakers and attendees marked the occasion with enthusiasm that seemed to draw from the wind and rain that swirled during an hour-long ceremony on the steps of the historic APhA building.
1912
APhA General Secretary James Hartley Beal calls for "an Association home" in new APhA Journal.
1921
Beal appointed chair of the Committee on APhA Permanent Home.
1922
Lincoln Memorial dedicated and the National Academy of Sciences commences construction of its home.
1923
Henry A. B. Dunning appointed chair of APhA All-Pharmacy Headquarters Building campaign.
1924
First $25,000 check presented to APhA to construct APhA headquarters.
1926
Dunning announces that pledges have exceeded $500,000 for APhA headquarters.
1927
APhA membership selects Washington, DC, over Chicago as the location of the APhA headquarters.
1928
Dunning selects and makes down payment on lots where APhA headquarters building is to be constructed.
1929
APhA seeks closing of a street that would cross immediately in front of APhA headquarters and purchases more lots.
1931
John Russell Pope selected as architect for the design of APhA headquarters.
1932
Congress authorizes construction of APhA building and the closure of Upper Water Street.
1932
Groundbreaking takes place on the front lawn of building with architect John Russell Pope in attendance.
1933
Construction completed by George A. Fuller & Company.
1934
APhA headquarters dedicated on front lawn with a message from President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
1938
APhA Drug Standards Laboratory opens in basement to develop standards for the National Formulary.
1941
Statue of William Procter Jr., "Father of American Pharmacy," unveiled in the APhA headquarters rotunda.
1943
APhA establishes World War II National Quinine Pool for U.S. government in the basement of APhA headquarters.
1948
Memorial flagpole honoring all pharmacists serving in wars of our country dedicated on front lawn.
1955
APhA obtains support to close Conger Laundry at corner of C and 23rd Streets, thereby opening land for expansion.
1956
APhA initiates plans to expand APhA headquarters with an east and west wing.
1958
APhA exchanges land with the government to construct an annex immediately behind the original building.
1959
Construction commences by Prescott Construction Company on annex to APhA headquarters. U.S. State Department opens immediately behind APhA.
1960
APhA dedicates annex at a ceremony held on the 23rd-Street side of the annex.
1964
APhA headquarters considered by U.S. government as the permanent home of the U.S. Vice President.
1974
APhA sells the Drug Standards Laboratory and the National Formulary to the U.S. Pharmacopeia.
1975
Saudi Arabia offers to buy APhA headquarters for its Embassy, but offer is declined.
1984
APhA celebrates 50th anniversary of its headquarters with a ceremony attended by hundreds of members.
1988
Glass front doors of APhA headquarters installed so that the bronze doors can be left open.
1993
Memorial flagpole updated to recognize pharmacists who served in Korea, Vietnam, and the Persian Gulf.
2001
Plans announced to purchase land behind APhA headquarters and replace annex with a new structure.
2006
APhA staff moves out of APhA headquarters to allow construction to begin. Groundbreaking held for the new APhA headquarters.
2007
Construction begins by Tishman Construction Corporation on APhA headquarters.
2009
APhA headquarters dedicated on November 13.
Ernest Mario Rotunda
One of the highlights of the APhA headquarters, the Ernest Mario Rotunda is a central domed space with a deep semicircular recess that highlights the statue of William Procter Jr., the Father of American Pharmacy.
Women in Pharmacy Conference Room
Situated within the APhA headquarters, the Women in Pharmacy Exhibit and Conference room celebrates the achievements of remarkable women throughout the history of pharmacy.
Art Gallery
In October 2007, Pfizer, Inc., gave the APhA Foundation Great Moments in Pharmacy, a collection of paintings depicting a comprehensive history of pharmacy.
APhA Awards Gallery
Made possible by the support of Schering-Plough, the Awards Gallery showcases APhA awards and honors award recipients.
Through a conscious effort to minimize our environmental footprint and realizing the value of going "green," APhA has laid the foundation for obtaining Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, or LEED, certification. LEED certification verifies that a building project meets rigorous standards for sustainable design in the areas of sustainable sites, water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, materials and resources, and indoor environmental quality.
Learn more
Complete History of the APhA Building
Dedication Ceremony Program