Elliott Museum Grand has reopened following a multi-million dollar 'green' reconstruction project that includes a new building with expanded galleries

The new 48,000 sq ft (4,459sq m) environmentally friendly museum will provide expanded galleries, studio space, as well as a 50-seat theatre, cafe, archival library, and flexible space for up to 500 people.

The museum, a 53-year-old Martin County institution, has undergone a major re-visioning as well. Focusing on art, history and technology, the new Elliott Museum aims to tell the story of the region, capture the spirit of innovation and celebrate the power of originality.

Located on Hutchinson Island in Stuart, the facility features a 3,000sq ft (279sq m) Changing Exhibition Gallery that will allow the museum to host prominent travelling exhibits, seven dedicated permanent collection gallery spaces, an expanded art and teaching studio, Kiplinger Galleries including a community history lab (opening in October) and Thurlow Library and Archives.

The museum was originally founded in 1961 by Stuart resident, Harmon Elliott, as a tribute to his father Sterling Elliott, a prolific inventor that inspired the museum's theme of innovation.

The first exhibit in the Changing Exhibition Gallery will be Leonardo da Vinci Machines in Motion a dramatic hands-on display of 40 full-size machine replicas made directly from Leonardo's innovative designs and drawings.