Washington Winter Show 2026

42 Unlike in a museum, however, these exceptional objects and interior spaces are part of everyday operations. There are no roped-off rooms or plexiglass barriers—one can closely study a 15th- century tapestry, a painting by an old-world master, or a 16th-century sculpture—a dream experience for anyone who appreciates the fine and decorative arts! Dignitaries and guests invited to dine at the Paris ambassador’s residence, for instance, are enveloped in the State Dining Room by expansive 18th-century Beauvais wall tapestries; boiseries , ornate, delicately carved wood panels, dating to 1725–30; and a display featuring a mid-18th-century silver gilt dessert service attributed to Thomas Heming, the principal goldsmith to King George III from 1760–1782. These treasures and others set an elegant and dignified stage for an enjoyable and productive diplomatic dinner. The United States stewards over 16,740 objects across six continents, with the largest collections in London, Paris, Prague, and Rome. The objects are housed in 290 architecturally, culturally, and historically significant heritage buildings representing America abroad. These landmark properties and the objects are preserved on behalf of the American people by the State Department’s Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations’ Office of Cultural Heritage. Enjoy a glimpse into this marvelous global collection of art, antiques, and historic buildings. STORIES FROM THE CULTURAL HERITAGE COLLECTION U.S. Embassy Rome, Palazzo Margherita, Rome, Italy The United States purchased Palazzo Margherita in 1946 to serve as its embassy at a time when it was critical to bolster its global diplomatic presence to The opulent Grand Dining Room at Palacio Bosch, the U.S. Ambassador’s Residence in Buenos Aires, Argentina was designed to impress as was the entire building when it was built between 1912–1917 for a prominent Argentine lawyer and diplomat. With a total of thirty-nine cultural heritage collections pieces in this room, including the Régence-style dining room table, and late 19th-century Louis XIV style gilded piertables with Verde Antico marble tops, this space epitomizes how diplomatic treasures are living and working “museums” to advance American interests abroad.