On a visit to the fair city of Washington, DC, you would be missing out on something great by neglecting to visit the National Gallery of Art.  This public museum, made possible by a generous gift from Andrew Mellon upon his death, houses an impressive and extensive collection of fine art.The West Building was first opened to the public in March of 1941.  This building was the original site of the National Gallery of Art.  The West Building was added on in the 1970s.  This building now houses the contemporary collection as well as research facilities and offices for the National Gallery.  The National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden is the most recent addition to the complex, having been added in 1999.  It is now the home to several contemporary sculptures.Although you can spend an entire day doing nothing but admiring the collection of art in the National Gallery - and many visitors do - there are also plenty of other activities available.  Educational classes and workshops are offered to individuals, families and children on a variety of subjects.  A visit to the National Gallery of Art is a wonderful cultural experience for any age.