This paper is based on a presentation given at the Freer Gallery of Art’s Meyer Auditorium on 21 September 2011, nearly a month after an earthquake (23 August 2011) and Hurricane Irene (27–30 August 2011) passed through Washington, D.C. It briefly explains why this area suffered so much from an earthquake centered about 135 km (84 mi) to the southwest and describes the reasons for the damage to various Smithsonian Institution buildings as well as other important monuments in this area. The fact that Hurricane Irene hit the area only four days after the earthquake exacerbated problems caused by the earthquake. Because of design variations in a large number of Smithsonian buildings in the Washington, D.C., area and in the subsurface conditions beneath them, some buildings, and the collections within them, were more damaged than others by the earthquake. Cracking of museum walls was relatively common and offered avenues for water movement and leaks during Hurricane Irene. In the end, we were fortunate that the issues were not more severe. Experiences like these provide us with a teaching moment that we can use to improve our ability to respond in the future. It also allows us as scientists and engineers to take a moment to learn from the messages nature is sending us.