West Wing Renovation (begins 2012)
The transformation of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History will continue with a major project to renew the building’s 120,000-square-foot west exhibition wing. (The museum’s center core and east wing will remain open.) The plans feature new galleries, an education center, interior public plazas and performance spaces as well as modernizing the infrastructure in this section of the building, including wireless environments. A new panoramic window on the first floor will give a sweeping view of the Washington Monument and connect visitors to the National Mall's landmarks.
Moved
The First Ladies - This brand new exhibition is in the Rose Gallery (3rd Floor Center)
Closed
Lemelson Center’s Spark!Lab
Invention at Play
Bon Appétit! Julia Child's Kitchen at the Smithsonian
Science in American Life
HIV and AIDS: 30 Years Ago
Robots on the Road
Biotechnology Gallery
Closing (last day to be determined)
1939
Treasures of Pop Culture
Hall of Musical Instruments
Communities in a Changing Nation
Please see our press release for information about the upcoming West Wing renovation project.
Initial renovation (2006-2008)
The Museum reopened to the public on November 21, 2008. The transformation focused on three main areas:
- architectural enhancements to the Museum’s interior
- constructing a state-of-the-art gallery for the Star-Spangled Banner, and
- updating the 42-year-old building’s infrastructure (mechanical, electrical, plumbing, lighting, fire and security systems).
The architectural firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP (SOM) of New York and Turner Construction was responsible for the overall design and construction. New York-based design firm Chermayeff & Geismar Inc. worked with SOM on the new permanent gallery for the Star-Spangled Banner.
The renovation dramatically transformed the Museum and created new ways to present the objects of our nation's past. New and improved features include:
- a central atrium with a skylight that dramatically opens the building
- a grand staircase connecting the Museum’s first and second floors
- 10-foot-high artifact walls on both the first and second floors showcasing the breadth of the Museum’s 3 million objects
- a welcome center on the second floor to improve visitor orientation
- a new exhibition gallery for the Museum’s Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention and Innovation
- a new lobby for the 275-seat Carmichael Auditorium, and
- new retail operations.
Other work included: replacing and relocating public and staff elevators; creating several new restrooms, including four family restrooms; replacing heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems; upgrading fire and alarm systems; improving electrical systems; and improving security.
Our Star-Spangled Banner Campaign Donors
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