Jan

Today in Smithsonian History: January 23, 1964

Steinman, Cain, and White. The museum opened to the public on January 23, 1964.

Rendering of the north front of the Museum of History and Technology, now the National Museum of American History, photographed from a colored drawing made by Elliot Glushak in 1961. The building was designed by the architectural firm McKim, Mead, and White and their successor firm, Steinman, Cain, and White. The museum opened to the public on January 23, 1964.

January 23, 1964 The Museum of History and Technology, now the National Museum of American History, opens in its new building on the National Mall. Ten permanent exhibition halls are open and another 50 will be completed. Among the permanent installations open to the public are Flag Hall, First Ladies’ Hall, and halls devoted to Everyday Life in the American Past, American Costume, Farm Machinery, Light Machinery, Tools, Vehicles and Railroads, as well as a temporary exhibition previewing future installations. The museum receives 54,000 visitors on opening weekend.

and Technology, now the National Museum of American History, January 22, 1964.

Guests pause before Horatio Greenough’s statue of George Washington at the dedication of the Museum of History and Technology, now the National Museum of American History, January 22, 1964.