National Museum of American History
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 Location in Washington, D.C.
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| Established | 1964 |
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| Location | Washington D.C., United States |
| Coordinates | 38°53′29″N 77°01′48″W / 38.8913°N 77.03°WCoordinates: 38°53′29″N 77°01′48″W / 38.8913°N 77.03°W |
| Type | History museum |
| Director | John Gray |
| Architect | McKim Mead & White |
| Public transit access |
 Smithsonian or Federal Triangle
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| Website | americanhistory |
The National Museum of American History: Kenneth E. Behring Center collects, preserves, and displays the heritage of the United States in the areas of social, political, cultural, scientific, and military history. Among the items on display is the original Star-Spangled Banner. The museum is part of the Smithsonian Institution and located on the National Mall at 14th Street and Constitution Avenue NW in Washington, D.C.
The museum opened in 1964 as the Museum of History and Technology. It was one of the last structures designed by the renowned architectural firm McKim Mead & White. In 1980, the museum was renamed the National Museum of American History to represent its mission of the collection, care, study, and interpretation of objects that reflect the experience of the American people.
In May 2012, John Gray was announced as the new director.
The museum underwent an $85 million renovation from September 5, 2006 to November 21, 2008, during which time it was closed.Skidmore, Owings and Merrill provided the architecture and interior design services for the renovation. Major changes made during the renovation include:
In 2012, the museum began a $37 million renovation of the west wing to add new exhibition spaces, public plazas and an education center. The renovation will also include panoramic windows overlooking the National Mall on all three floors and new interactive features to the exhibits. The first floor of the west wing reopened on July 1, 2015 with the second and third floors of the west wing reopening in 2016 and 2017, respectively.
Each wing of the museum's three exhibition floors is anchored by a landmark object to highlight the theme of that wing. These include the John Bull locomotive, the Greensboro, North Carolina lunch counter, and a one of a kind draft wheel. Landmarks from pre-existing exhibits include the 1865 Vassar Telescope, a George Washington Statue, a Red Cross ambulance, and a car from Disneyland's Dumbo Flying Elephant ride.
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Wikipedia