Smithsonian National Museum of American History
Smithsonian National Museum of American History
Smithsonian National Museum of American History
Smithsonian National Museum of American History
Smithsonian National Museum of American History
Smithsonian National Museum of American History
Smithsonian National Museum of American History
Museums & Interpretive

Smithsonian National Museum of American History: The Nation We Build Together, 2nd Floor West Galleries

  • Client: Smithsonian Institution
  • 15,000 Square Feet

The 30,000-square-foot recently renovated west wing of the museum’s second floor, entitled “The Nation We Build Together,” opened on June 28, 2016. It includes four major exhibitions that explore the question “What kind of nation do we want to be?”

Cinnabar served as the primary exhibitions contractor for three of those four exhibitions: Concourse, “American Democracy: A Great Leap of Faith” and “Many Voices, One Nation,” totaling just over 15,000 sq. ft.

American Democracy explores the history of citizen participation, debate, and compromise from the nation’s formation to today, while Many Voices shows how the many voices of the American people have contributed to and continue to shape the nation and its communities, from its earliest beginnings to the present.

Cinnabar’s scope for this project included:

  • Tenant Improvement & Gallery Fit-out
  • Electrical & Security
  • 90+ archival glass Display Cases
  • Audiovisual Hardware & Integration
  • Lighting Hardware & Integration
  • Graphics Production
  • Models, Props & Interactives
  • Object & Artifact Mounts
  • Scenic Treatments & Finishes

The galleries were designed by Haley Sharpe Design. Cinnabar sub-consultants included: Zone Display, Electrosonic, Brigid Mount-making, Barbizon and Mona.

Photos are courtesy of the National Museum of American History and cannot be copied, used or disseminated.