Reynolds Center for American Art and Portraiture

On July 1 2006, the $283 million renovated Patent Office Building, home to the Smithsonian American Art Museum and the National Portrait Gallery opened its doors to the public. The two museums and their activities are now known collectively as the Donald W. Reynolds Center for American Art and Portraiture. The Reynolds Center Grand Opening festival was alive with music, food and family activities. The Grand Opening Family Festival featured costumed characters from the collections, gallery tours, performances, free ice cream and live music on every floor of the building.

The Smithsonian American Art Museum and the National Portrait Gallery are located in a National Historic Landmark building at the heart of Washington's vibrant new downtown, a few blocks from the National Mall. The building is a piece of art that perfectly complements its contents. There is also no clear division as to which part of the building is for portraits and which for art. The galleries are arranged to provide a flow, to tell a story with many diverse characters and settings.