Exhibition
"Renovating a Landmark: From Patent Office to Reynolds Center"
Nov. 17 – Permanent

Location
Smithsonian American Art Museum and National Portrait Gallery, Eighth and F streets N.W.

Description
"Renovating a Landmark: From Patent Office to Reynolds Center" coincides with the Nov. 18 opening of the Robert and Arlene Kogod Courtyard, a signature element of the Donald W. Reynolds Center for American Art and Portraiture. This small exhibition, installed in the historic fabric room located adjacent to the coatroom near the museums' F Street lobby, highlights aspects of the renovation with photographs, architectural artifacts from the building and objects discovered during the excavation of the courtyard. Also included will be historic images of the building, a 7-foot segment of one of the 19th-century cast iron fountains from the courtyard and an architect's model of the building. Charles Robertson, author of the recent book "Temple of Invention: History of a National Landmark" and a specialist in American decorative arts, is the guest curator of the exhibition.

The completion of the courtyard marks the final phase of a major renovation of the National Historic Landmark building that houses the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery and the Smithsonian American Art Museum. Built in phases between 1836 and 1868, the building was constructed to serve as the U.S. Patent Office and other government offices throughout the 19th century. It is considered one of the finest examples of Greek Revival architecture in the United States. The recent renovation and refurbishment of the building's historic features was completed in 2006.

Publication
"Temple of Invention: History of a National Landmark," written by Robertson, details the historical and cultural significance of the building. It is available for $19.95 in the museums' store and online at americanart.si.edu.

The Smithsonian American Art Museum and the National Portrait Gallery are located at Eighth and F streets N.W., above the Gallery Place/Chinatown Metrorail station. Open daily from 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., except Dec. 25. Admission is free. Smithsonian Information: (202) 633-1000; (202) 633-5285 (TTY). Web site: reynoldscenter.org.

Note to editors: High-resolution images of the building are available at http://newsdesk.si.edu/photos/.

SI-432-2007