NMAH to close for renovations in September

From the Smithsonian...

The Smithsonian's National Museum of American History today (April 12)
announced plans for a major architectural transformation to focus on three
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.)

To prepare for the transformation, the museum will begin closing some of
its exhibition galleries this spring and summer, and the full museum will
close to the public as of September 5. (Labor Day, September 4, will be the
last day to visit the museum.) Construction will begin in the fall of 2006
and the museum is scheduled to reopen by summer 2008.

By removing the marble panels that currently block the view to the museum's
third floor, the architects will create a central core atrium with a new
skylight that will dramatically open the building and a grand staircase will
connect the museum's first and second floors. The central core area is
defined as the three-story space encompassing the museum's two main
entrances on the first and second floors and the third floor space
immediately above the entrance areas. The renovation work will include
replacing and relocating public and staff elevators, resulting in improved
access to the lower level and the three exhibition floors; creation of
several new restrooms, including four family restrooms; replacing heating,
ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems at the central core;
upgrading fire and alarm systems; improving electrical systems; and
improving security.

The full text of the museum's press release on the renovation may be found
on the Web site: http://americanhistory.si.edu

During the renovation, museum staff will continue to occupy the building
and will be planning future exhibitions and programs; working on research
projects and education initiatives; conducting off-site public programs and
performances; acquiring new collections and extending the reach of its Web
site with new on-line exhibitions and features. Information and updates
about the museum's renovation work will be posted on the Web site.