The Numismatics Hall and the “History of Money and Medals” exhibition at the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History are scheduled to close in August after 40 years on display. The closure, along with other changes at the museum, is part of the long-term plan for the renovation and revitalization of the museum and its exhibition galleries.
With generous private and federal support, the museum has embarked upon a transformation of its building and facilities. The original design scheme of separate subject halls will be updated as the museum moves to thematic presentations, reinterpreting collections in a narrative format. New exhibitions will draw on the museum's three million objects and will provide more flexibility and options about how objects are shown and interpreted.
The museum is proud to be the home to one of the largest numismatic collections in the world and maintains its commitment to the visibility of this collection. Numismatic collections will be part of future exhibitions at the museum and will be used as a resource for Web sites, presentations, publications. The collection also will remain available to researchers and scholars as well as for loans to other museums, conferences and other selected venues.
The museum is collaborating with the IMF Center in Washington D.C. on “Money and Sovereignty: Selections from the National Numismatic Collection,” a new exhibition on view at the IMF Center from April 26 through Oct. 28, 2005. A selection from the National Numismatic Collection will also be on display at the Smithsonian's new National Museum of the American Indian opening in September of 2004.
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The National Museum of American History traces American heritage through exhibitions of social, cultural, scientific and technological history. Collections are displayed in exhibitions that interpret the American experience from Colonial times to the present. The museum is located at 14th Street and Constitution Avenue N.W., and is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., except Dec. 25. For more information, visit the museum’s Web site at https://americanhistory.si.edu or call (202) 633-1000.
Media onlyMelinda Machado/ Valeska Hilbig (202) 633-3129