The National Museum of American History in Washington D.C. is to reopen today (21 November) after a two-year, US$85m (£57.5m) facelift.

The museum – which is operated by the Smithsonian Institute – saw its centre core renovated, with a grand staircase and a skylight installed and a new Star-Spangled Banner gallery built.

New York-based architects Skidmore, Owings and Merrill designed the project, which was then carried out by the Turner Construction Company.

The museum houses the original American flag – or Star-Spangled Banner – which is nearly 200-years old. It also holds the White House copy of President Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address, as well as more than 400 other artefacts.

The Star-Spangled Banner gallery features an architectural representation of a waving flag, with 960 reflective tiles, while the gallery itself is designed to evoke the “dawn’s early light” mentioned in the US anthem.

Brent D. Glass, director of the museum, said: “For people of all ages, a visit to the National Museum of American History can be a defining event – providing a deep and fundamental understanding of what it has meant to be an American.

“Millions of visitors will enjoy new opportunities to explore American narrative and the core stories of our national experience in an inspiring and memorable setting.”

The renovation was paid for by a public-private partnership with US$46m (£37.1m) in federal funds and the remaining US$36m (£24.3m) from individuals, foundations and corporations.