History
The National Museum of American History opened to the public in January 1964 as the Museum of History and Technology. It was the sixth Smithsonian building on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. In 1980, the Museum's name was changed to the National Museum of American History to better represent its basic mission--the collection, care and study of objects that reflect the experience of the American people. The Museum has recently completed a two-year, $85 million renovation of the building's center core, dramatically transforming the museum's architectural appeal while reorganizing and renewing the presentation of its extensive collections. The renovation project focused on three areas: architectural enhancements to the center core, including a grand staircase and a skylight; construction of a new Star-Spangled Banner gallery, and updates to the 44-year-old building's infrastructure. We are currently renovating the museum's west wing.
Specialties
Home of the Star-Spangled banner, the John Bull locomotive, Julia Child's kitchen, the Gunboat Philadelphia, and more. The first floor of our West Wing includes