WASHINGTON.- Construction of the Old Patent Building, a structure almost as old of the United States itself, began at the behest of President Andrew Jackson in 1836. It housed American inventions, hosted President Abraham Lincoln’s second inaugural ball, served as a government office building and finally became home to two important museums before it was closed for extensive renovations in 2000.

Designated a National Historic Landmark in 1965, its Greek Revival architecture is breathtaking, with its porticos, colonnades, interior columns and vaulted galleries ornamented with opulent friezes. During just-completed, six-year renovation, all was carefully cleaned, polished and repaired. Colorful encaustic tiles on the Great Hall floors were replaced with historically accurate new ones. Long-covered windows were unblocked to admit light, including skylights that stretch the length of a city block. Some of them illuminate the paintings studio of the Lunder Conservation Center with ideal north light. New, protective windows were installed throughout. Natural light is now the primary light source in both the Smithsonian American Art Museum and the National Portrait Gallery, which share the building.

Now corridors join the previously separate museums, and exhibits are interwoven to compliment each other. The National Portrait Gallery houses portraits of many figures from U.S. history, and its collection of official portraits of the U.S. presidents is a main attraction. The 1796 “Lansdowne” portrait of George Washington is the centerpiece of the America’s Presidents gallery. The Gilbert Stuart portrait of America’s first president was presented as a gift to William Petty, second Earl of Shelburne and first Marquis of Lansdowne, who was a supporter of America’s war for independence. It was on extended loan to the National Portrait Gallery. But the painting almost was lost when heirs of the owner decided to put the Lansdowne portrait up for sale. Thanks to Las Vegas philanthropist Donald W. Reynolds, who offered $30 million for it, a national treasure was retained. Reynolds donated the painting to the National Portrait Gallery, where it remains on permanent view.

The American Art Museum holds the world’s largest collection of American art, from folk to contemporary. John Singer Sargent, Winslow Homer, Thomas Hart Benton, Elaine de Kooning, Georgia O’Keeffe, Andy Warhol and David Hockney are but a few of the artists whose works grace the galleries. Drawings, paintings, photographs, sculpture and advertising art trace the story of America from its beginning.

Expanded gallery space allows more works of art to be displayed. In all, there are 46,482 square meters of galleries, a 17,373 square meter increase after renovation. New spaces include the Luce Foundation Center for American Art and the Nan Tucker McEvoy Auditorium. Adjacent to the stained glass-domed Great Hall, the Luce Foundation Center brings a myriad of 19th and 20th century works out of storage and into natural light. Lunder Conservation Center also is housed in the building. (See related article.)

The Luce Center occupies the third and fourth floors of the building, and displays a lively collection of objects of art. Art Nouveau and Art Deco masterpieces beside contemporary craft and folk art objects. Works commissioned by the government during the Great Depression document the struggle of ordinary Americans during a difficult period.

Curators’ former offices have been turned into mini-galleries. Portrait miniatures and other small pieces stored in drawers are accessible at the push of a button. Each treasure, large and small, has an accession number. By entering the number in one of the information kiosks, more details about a work are available.

Newly scrubbed and repaired, the Old Patent Building also has new acquisitions to show. It may be visited in person or online at the National Portrait Gallery Web site and the Smithsonian American Art Museum Web site.