The Museum closed to the public on September 5, 2006 for major architectural renovations and is scheduled to reopen by fall 2008.

Support the renovation!  Your financial contribution will make history. 

The transformation focuses 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 are responsible for the overall design and construction. New York-based design firm Chermayeff & Geismar Inc. will work with SOM on the new permanent gallery for the Star-Spangled Banner.

About the Renovation Project

The renovation will dramatically transform the Museum and create new ways to present the objects of our nation's past.  New and improved features will include:

• a central atrium with a skylight that will dramatically open 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 includes: 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.

Information During Renovation

Updates about the Museum’s renovation will be posted on this Web page, and the public may subscribe to a free monthly e-mail newsletter to receive information on traveling exhibitions, public programs and plans for re-opening. Visitors may also contact Smithsonian Visitor Information by calling (202) 633-1000, (202) 357-1729 (TTY) or via email at info@si.edu.