By the 1950's, the NCFA still occupied a small space in the Natural History Building.[22] In 1958, Congress finally granted the NCFA a home, the Old Patent Office Building, which was about to be vacated by the U.S. Civil Service Commission.[22][23] The building would be shared with the planned National Portrait Gallery, with the NCFA occupying the northern half of the building.[24][25] Renovation work on the building began in 1964.[26] The NCFA opened in its new home on May 6, 1968.[27]