The Bruce Museum in Greenwich was unexpectedly forced to close this week due to unforeseen complications with ongoing construction.

Executive Director Robert Wolterstorff says the nearly $40 million renovation will double the museum's footprint while adding more galleries and plenty of community gathering space.

Officials had to close with little warning Tuesday night because of construction issues they say should have been cleared up within two to three weeks.

Wolterstorff says the Bruce is more essential than ever at a time when the stress of the outside world is so high.

"Museums present an opportunity to get away from that," says Wolterstorff. "We offer delight, a respite from the difficult world, and I have to say the people who have been coming love that. And we think of ourselves very much as a community institution and it's important for us to be open during this project, so we will be open again as soon as we can."

Museum officials say the expansion will include an education center and for the first time a restaurant.

Construction is expected to shut the museum again in 2022 for up to five months.