Smithsonian to Reopen One of its Oldest Buildings

WASHINGTON, D.C.-The Smithsonian Institution reports it will reopen the Arts and Industries Building on the National Mall by the summer of next year.

The A&I Building, which opened in 1881 as the U.S. National Museum, closed in January 2004 to undergo a structural review and extensive renovation, Smithsonian officials state. Current work on the building includes installation of more than 800 new custom windows that re-create the appearance of the original ones, reinforcement and replacement of some original iron trusses with steel, repair of the brick facade and replacement of the 2.5-acre roof. This phase of renovation, which is scheduled to be completed by this fall, was paid for with federal funds. An Associated Press report states that the U.S. Patent and Trade Office will provide up to $7.5 million for the A&I Building project.