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Secretary Lonnie Bunch Says the Smithsonian Keeps 'The Nation’s Memory' in an Exclusive Essay for America’s 250th Birthday

The acclaimed historian and head of the Institution argues that the semiquincentennial presents the perfect opportunity for Americans to consider their nation’s past and future

Workers install a horse in the refurbished Smithsonian carousel

The Smithsonian’s Renovated Carousel Will Return to the National Mall for Another Round

The classic merry-go-round is gleaming again, but it’s more than an amusement: it’s a ride through history

Kryptos

How the Smithsonian Archives Help Unlock Mysteries and Connect Americans to Their History

Sometimes finding the answer to the most perplexing question is simply a matter of knowing where to look

Shohei Ohtani jersey

How Curators Collect Pieces of History as It Unfolds

The dynamic nature of the world means that anything can become an artifact, and the professionals put themselves in position to collect it

Canister of bird friendly coffee

For a Quarter of a Century, We've Helped Make It Possible to Protect Birds Over a Cup of Coffee

The Smithsonian’s bird-friendly coffee certification program started after researchers made an unexpected correlation around a farm. It has been helping migratory birds and forest farms for 25 years now, one sip at a time

Chess set owned by George B. McClellan

How the Smithsonian Collections Reflect the Remarkable Contributions of American Veterans

The Smithsonian’s collections speak to the resolve and ingenuity of America’s service members

Adventurers on a Smithsonian Associates outing in 1972 get a close-up view of California gray whales off the Baja California peninsula.

Celebrating 60 Years of Igniting Your Curiosity With Smithsonian Associates

What began as a local outreach program now brings the magic of the Smithsonian to learners across the nation

An artist’s rendering of the upcoming “At Home in Space” exhibition

What to Expect at the Newly Renovated National Air and Space Museum When It Opens This Month

The Smithsonian museum's new galleries explore the challenges and delights of life in space

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Sixty Years Since Its Founding, the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center Continues to Protect and Study the Health of Our Coastal Systems

The Smithsonian Environmental Research Center safeguards the vibrant ecosystems—and economic power—of our coastal zones

beadwork art of the solar systm captured by the Hubble Space Telescope

This Stellar Smithsonian Program Will Bring the Wonders of the Universe to the Classroom

The new initiative will help students in rural areas learn more about astronomy. Can it inspire the next generation of scientists?

Nichelle Nichols

How One of the Smithsonian's Newest Museums Is Looking at the Unsung Heroines of American History

Even before it has a home on the Mall, the Smithsonian American Women's History Museum is sharing stories of overlooked pioneers

Welcome to Territory, by the Lenape Center with Joe Baker, features turkey-feather capes suspended from the ceiling

At the Smithsonian's National Design Museum, a Home Is What You Make of It

In a new exhibition at Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum, artists explore just what makes a space feel like home

a giant panda eating bamboo

What the Smithsonian (and the Public) Have Learned About Pandas in More Than 50 Years at the National Zoo

Cue the panda cam: The Zoo’s two newest residents, Bao Li and Qing Bao, will make their debut in January

people holding hands while standing in ocean water

The Global Story of Slavery in the Americas Comes to the Smithsonian

"In Slavery's Wake," an international exhibition set to debut next month, illuminates the unfinished work of securing freedom

an absentee ballot used during the Civil War

How the Civil War Spawned the Mail-In Ballot

At the National Postal Museum, a new exhibition traces the long history of a newly popular way of voting

Smithsonian exhibition in Japan

Thirty Years Ago, a Smithsonian Exhibition in Japan Told the Whole American Story

The choices we made then still resonate today

Native Americans celebrate on the National Mall

Why This Year's Smithsonian Folklife Festival Honors Indigenous Americans

The annual summer tradition will celebrate the National Museum of the American Indian and the people it honors

Secretary Bunch and Melissa Chiu

Tracing a Century of History Through Art

The Hirshhorn and the Anacostia Community Museum both opened stunning and distinct exhibitions with unexpected parallels this March.

Volunteer Curt Breckenridge removes plaster used to display a tyrannosaur fossil

An Appreciation of the Volunteers Who Devote Their Time to the Smithsonian

Whether fielding questions from visitors or digging for answers behind the scenes, volunteers help the museums thrive

two black and white portraits of actors

Relive the Glamour of Hollywood’s Golden Age With These Photos

The work of a pioneering celebrity photographer shines a spotlight on the iconic era

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