Located on the National Mall, the museum opened its doors in 1964. The renovation will be a multifaceted endeavor designed to, according to the Smithsonian Institution's FY 2007 Budget Justification to Congress report, facilitate "new public space revitalization that will impact 330,000 gross sf on all three-exhibit floors."

The centerpiece of the property upgrade, however, will be the development of a new gallery to display the Star-Spangled Banner. "Its new surroundings are part of a strategic plan to ensure the long-term preservation of the flag and to revitalize the entire museum to tell the story of America and help future generations experience what it means to be an American," museum director Brent D. Glass notes.

Skidmore, Owings & Merrill has been tapped to oversee design elements of the project, and Turner Construction will handle the planning and construction responsibilities. Renovation activities are on schedule to reach completion by the summer of 2008. "These changes will dramatically transform the building and the presentation of its collections by creating a grand, open and easily navigated environment," says Richard Darman, museum board chairman.