Sneak a Peek at the National Museum of American History's Newly Renovated West Wing

The National Museum of American History is home to Dorothy's red shoes, President Abraham Lincoln's top hat, and now 45,000-square-feet of newly renovated space. The space is located on the west wing's first floor and features five new exhibitions: "American Enterprise," "Places of Invention," "The Value of Money," "Spark!Lab," and "Fantastic Worlds: Science and Fiction, 1780-1910." Washingtonian reported that these exhibits feature information on a variety of subjects, including the Father of Video Games Ralph Baer, the Bronx, and traditional farming practices. Each of the exhibits offer interactive games like a "Tower of Power" game where visitors spin a wheel to try to get to the top of a skyscraper. Since 2014, all three floors of the 120,000-square-foot west wing have been in the process of renovation. According to WTOP, the second floor of the wing will be devoted to democracy and "the way America came together," and the third floor of the wing will be focused on "culture and how it's integrated into the American identity." The first floor opened July 1. The second and third floors aren't expected to open until 2016 and 2017, respectively. The total cost of the renovations is $158 million with $58 million from federal funds and $100 million from private sources.

· The National Museum of American History Unveils Huge Renovation [Washingtonian]
· Major renovations to Museum of American History underway [WTOP]
· National Museum of American History [Official Website]