The Bloch Building at Night

Nelson-Atkins Building

Renovation and restoration of the Nelson-Atkins Building occurred as the Bloch Building was under construction.

Kirkwood Hall, the great ceremonial heart of the Museum, with its massive black marble columns, travertine floor and limestone walls, has been totally renewed. Over a period of 18 months, Museum conservators returned much of the original grandeur to Kirkwood by cleaning the walls and floors as well as cleaning and restoring the stenciled designs in the ceiling coves.

A grand connecting gallery that links Kirkwood Hall to the Bloch Building was also added. A new home for some of the Museum’s most significant pieces of sculpture, this promenade-style space provides both a visual and a physical connection between the two buildings.

An exciting project to update and enhance the European art galleries is underway. One of the priorities of this installation is integration of the arts – paintings and sculpture are shown in the same space as appropriate furniture, silver, ceramics and glass. This project is expected to be completed in June of 2006.