Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum

Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum is the only museum in the nation devoted exclusively to historic and contemporary design. Cooper Hewitt educates, inspires, and empowers people through design by presenting exhibitions and educational programs and maintaining active publications. The Museum is housed in the former home of industrial magnate Andrew Carnegie. Completed in 1901, it was the first private residence in the United States to have a structural steel frame and one of the first in New York to have a residential Otis passenger elevator. The building received landmark status in 1974, and became part of the Smithsonian in 1976. The transformation of the Carnegie Mansion, completed in 2014, respects the spirit and character of the landmark building, restoring key elements to the original grandeur while providing much-needed upgrades to lighting and signage; more flexibility to reduce installation time and better accommodate object handling; and above all, enhanced public access on every level.