Fort McNair, Film Store House, Fort Lesley J. McNair, P Street between Third & Fourth Streets, Southwest, Washington, District of Columbia, DC

Significance: The Film Storehouse, constructed in 1918 for storage of films for the Army War College, is an example of an early nitrate film vault constructed during the World War I period to prevent the detonation of explosive nitrate film. Its design, which incorporates fireproof construction and 18 thickly-walled vented concrete vaults, is today one of the few examples of the type from the period. For some 20 years the building was the storage facility for War College and Army Signal Corps movies. The building is also a significant reminder of the historic efforts of the Signal Corps to document World War I through motion pictures and of the War College Division which initiated the use of military training films during the First World War.
Survey number: HABS DC-659-A