Hackerman House, one of the three buildings that make up the Walters Art Museum, will be closed for about two and a half years beginning July 1, a museum official announced Friday.
In addition, galleries housing 19th century art on the fourth floor of the Centre Street building will be closed to the public between June 23 and Oct. 25, according to museum spokeswoman Mona M. Rock.
It's all part of a long-planned, $5.2 million refurbishment of the museum. Most of the work will involve replacing the 23-year-old fire suppression and climate control systems, Rock said.
Hackerman House, the five-story 19th century building fronting Mt. Vernon Place, currently contains the museum's collection of Asian arts. Rock said the most popular pieces will be relocated to other parts of the museum during the construction period, which is expected to extend through 2016.
The remaining portion of the Asian arts collection will be placed in storage, she said.
When the fourth floor of the Centre Street building reopens in the fall, it will feature a new installation, "From Rye to Raphael: The Walters Story" which will focus on the lives and legacies of museum founders William and Henry Walters.