Thursday, January 10, 2008

American History Museum Still in Renovation

The Smithsonian National Museum of American History is undergoing intense, architectural renovations and will reopen its doors to the public by summer 2008.

As many of you probably know, the American History Museum closed its doors in September 2006. I was fortunate enough to get a visit in that year, before it closed for the major renovation.

According to the Smithsonian website, the "transformation focuses on...architectural enhancements to the Museum’s interior, constructing a state-of-the-art gallery for the Star-Spangled Banner, and updating the 42-year-old building’s infrastructure."

The bad news (in MY opinion at least)....the pendulum won't be coming back.

From 1964 to 1998, a version of Foucault’s pendulum was displayed in the museum atrium. As a kid, I remember being awestruck at how it swung from one side to the other - its swing affected by the rotation of the earth. But, there's no room for the pendulum in the new design. Tis a shame.

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