| ![Photo: U.S. Patent Office, ca. 1846](/ARSUserFiles/80000000/USDAHistoryExhibit/orig_1t.jpg) | In 1839, the Agricultural Department of the U.S. Patent Office is established to collect statistics, distribute seeds/plant and compile/distribute information. |
![Return to top of page](/ARSUserFiles/80000000/graphics/nav/up.gif) | ![Photo: Plan of Washington, D.C. showing new Department of Agriculture Buildings](/ARSUserFiles/80000000/USDAHistoryExhibit/orig_2at.jpg) | In 1862, the Agricultural Department of the U.S. Patent Office is established as an independent entity, the USDA. The Agriculture Building is constructed in 1867 on the Mall in Washington, DC. This Building was torn-down in the 1930's to make room for the current USDA complex on Independence Avenue. |
![Return to top of page](/ARSUserFiles/80000000/graphics/nav/up.gif) | ![Photo: Department of Agriculture Building](/ARSUserFiles/80000000/USDAHistoryExhibit/orig_2bt.jpg) | |
![Return to top of page](/ARSUserFiles/80000000/graphics/nav/up.gif) | ![Photo: Greenhouses, Department of Agriculture Building](/ARSUserFiles/80000000/USDAHistoryExhibit/orig_2ct.jpg) | |
![Return to top of page](/ARSUserFiles/80000000/graphics/nav/up.gif) | ![Photo: Cattle on monument grounds, original Site of Veterinary Experiment Station, Washington, D.C., 1864](/ARSUserFiles/80000000/USDAHistoryExhibit/orig_3t.jpg) | In 1883, animal research is transferred from the Mall to the new Veterinary Experiment Station at 18th Street and Benning Road in Washington, DC. In 1897, the Veterinary Experiment Station is relocated to Bethesda, MD. |
![Return to top of page](/ARSUserFiles/80000000/graphics/nav/up.gif) | ![Photo: Fields: Arlington Farms Experiment Station in Arlington, VA., 1930s](/ARSUserFiles/80000000/USDAHistoryExhibit/orig_4at.jpg) | In 1903, plant research is transferred from the Mall to the new Arlington Farms Experiment Station in Arlington, VA. |
![Return to top of page](/ARSUserFiles/80000000/graphics/nav/up.gif) | ![Photo: Building at Arlington Farms Experiment Station in Arlington, VA., 1930s](/ARSUserFiles/80000000/USDAHistoryExhibit/orig_4bt.jpg) | |
![Return to top of page](/ARSUserFiles/80000000/graphics/nav/up.gif) | ![Photo: Plan of Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, 1930s](/ARSUserFiles/80000000/USDAHistoryExhibit/orig_5t.jpg) | In 1910, the dairy and animal husbandry research is transferred to Beltsville, MD. Animal disease research is relocated to Beltsville in 1936.
In 1939, plant research at Arlington Farms Experiment Station is transferred to Beltsville, MD |