The National Portrait Gallery recently decided to cast their gaze outside their doors to take a look at their immediate surroundings in the Penn Quarter of Washington, D.C. This exhibition tells "the story of the rise, fall, and rebirth of the heart of Penn Quarter." The neighborhood contains the Old Patent Office Building (the home of the National Portrait Gallery) and an eclectic mix of modern buildings and older two and three story brick structures. Through two dozen images, this fascinating exhibit tells a story of historic preservation, racial conflict, genteel 19th century urban living, and the growth of federal government. Each image is accompanied by text that gives visitors a bit of perspective on the area's history.