On October 7, 2008, Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne designated 16 new sites in 11 states as National Historic Landmarks. In naming the Guggenheim Museum, the Department of the Interior described the museum as “one of Frank Lloyd Wright’s most important commissions.” The Landmark designation goes on to say: “Built between 1956 and 1959, the museum is recognized as an icon of mid-20th century modern architecture. . . . The Guggenheim launched the great and continuing age of museum architecture, where the building is a central part of the museum experience, on par with its contents.”

The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum's restored facade was revealed in fall 2008. Photo: David Heald