Editing Smithsonian Institution

{{Short description|US group of museums and research centers}}
{{Redirect|Smithsonian}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox museum
| name            = Smithsonian Institution
| logo            = Smithsonian logo color.svg
| logo_upright    = 0.80
| logo_caption    = 
| image           = Smithsonian Building Sunlight.jpg
| caption         = The Smithsonian Institution Building in Washington, D.C., also known as "the Castle"
| established     = {{start date and age|1846|8|10}}
| location        = [[Washington, D.C.]]; [[Chantilly, Virginia]]; [[New York City]]; [[Suitland, Maryland]]
| type            = 
| visitors        = 
| director        = [[Lonnie Bunch]], Secretary of the Smithsonian
| employees       = 6,375 (as of March 28, 2020)<ref>{{cite web |title=People & Operations |url=https://www.si.edu/dashboard/people-operations |publisher=The Smithsonian Institution |access-date=July 5, 2020}}</ref>
| curator         = 
| website         = {{official URL}}
| leader_type     = Chancellor
| leader          = [[John Roberts]]
}}
[[File:Flag of the Smithsonian Institution.svg|thumb|right|Flag of the Smithsonian Institution]]
The '''Smithsonian Institution''' ({{IPAc-en|s|m|ɪ|θ|ˈ|s|oʊ|n|i|ə|n}} {{respell|smith|SOH|nee|ən}}), or simply the '''Smithsonian''', is a group of [[museum]]s, [[Education center|education]] and [[Research institute|research centers]], created by the [[Federal government of the United States|U.S. government]] "for the increase and diffusion of knowledge".<ref>{{cite web |last1=Watson |first1=Robert |title=Smithsonian wasn't always beloved |url=https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-2012-03-25-fl-rwcol-oped0325-20120325-story.html |website=Sun Sentinel |publisher=Tribune Publishing |access-date=October 14, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210702031312/https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-2012-03-25-fl-rwcol-oped0325-20120325-story.html |archive-date=July 2, 2021 |date=March 25, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|publisher=B. R. Barlow|last=Barlow|first=William |title=The Smithsonian Institution, "for the Increase and Diffusion of Knowledge Among Men": An Address on the Duties of Government, in Reference Chiefly to Public Instruction: with the Outlines of a Plan for the Application of the Smithsonian Fund to that Object|date=1847}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite web |date=December 26, 2022 |title=How Many Museums Are in the Smithsonian Institution? |url=https://www.thecollector.com/how-many-museums-are-in-the-smithsonian-institution/ |access-date=January 13, 2023 |website=TheCollector |language=en}}</ref> Founded on August 10, 1846, it operates as a trust instrumentality<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.justice.gov/olc/opinion/status-smithsonian-institution-under-federal-property-and-administrative-services-act#|title=The Status of the Smithsonian Institution Under the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act|last=Kmiec|first=Douglas W. |publisher=U.S. Department of Justice|access-date=July 7, 2023 |date=June 30, 1988}}</ref> and is not formally a part of any of the [[Federal government of the United States#branches|three branches of the federal government]].<ref>{{Cite web| url= https://www.si.edu/ogc/legalhistory|title=Legal History |website= Smithsonian Institution}}</ref> The institution is named after its founding donor, British scientist [[James Smithson]].<ref name="about SI"/> It was originally organized as the '''United States National Museum''', but that name ceased to exist administratively in 1967.<ref>{{cite web|title=Smithsonian History > National Museum of American History |url=http://siarchives.si.edu/history/national-museum-american-history|website= Smithsonian Institution |access-date=June 21, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130623183812/http://www.siarchives.si.edu/history/national-museum-american-history |archive-date=June 23, 2013}}</ref>

The Smithsonian Institution has historical holdings of over 157&nbsp;million items,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.si.edu/dashboard/national-collections |website=Smithsonian National Collections Dashboard |access-date=13 September 2024 |title=National Collections }}</ref> 21 museums, 21 libraries, 14 education and research centers, a zoo, and historical and architectural landmarks, mostly located in [[Washington, D.C.]]<ref name="about SI">{{cite web |title=About Us |url=http://www.si.edu/about/ |publisher=Smithsonian Institution |access-date=March 8, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170307190216/http://si.edu/About |archive-date=March 7, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|publisher=Everything Books|isbn=978-1-4405-2411-0 |last= Leaf |first= Jesse |title=The Everything Family Guide to Washington D.C.: All the Best Hotels, Restaurants, Sites, and Attractions|date=March 13, 2007}}{{rp|57}}</ref><ref name=":3" /> Additional facilities are located in [[Maryland]], [[New York (state)|New York]], and [[Virginia]]. More than 200 institutions and museums in 47 [[U.S. states|states]],<ref group="note">States without Smithsonian Affiliates: [[Idaho]], [[North Dakota]], [[Utah]].</ref> [[Puerto Rico]], and [[Panama]] are [[Smithsonian Affiliations|Smithsonian Affiliate]]s.<ref>{{Cite book|publisher=Penguin|isbn=978-0-698-15520-6 |last=Kurin |first=Richard|title=The Smithsonian's History of America in 101 Objects Deluxe|date=October 29, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Smithsonian Affiliate Directory |url=https://affiliations.si.edu/affiliate-directory/ |url-status= |archive-url= |archive-date= |access-date=July 25, 2024 |website=Smithsonian Affiliations |publisher=Smithsonian Institution}}</ref> Institution publications include ''[[Smithsonian (magazine)|Smithsonian]]'' and ''[[Air & Space]]'' magazines.

Almost all of the institution's 30&nbsp;million annual visitors<ref>{{cite web |url=http://newsdesk.si.edu/about/stats |title=Visitor Statistics |work= Smithsonian Institution  |date=May 31, 2013 |access-date=July 26, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140208195916/http://newsdesk.si.edu/about/stats |archive-date=February 8, 2014}}</ref> are admitted without charge,<ref name=":3" /> the exception being visitors to [[Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum]] in New York City, which charges an admissions fee.<ref>{{Cite web |date=December 6, 2014 |title=Plan Your Visit {{!}} Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum |url=https://www.cooperhewitt.org/visit/plan-your-visit/ |access-date=January 12, 2023 |website= cooperhewitt.org |language=en-US}}</ref> The Smithsonian's annual budget is around $1.25&nbsp;billion, with two-thirds coming from annual federal appropriations.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://dashboard.si.edu/budget-federal-appropriations | title = Budget/Federal Appropriations  | year = 2015 | work = Smithsonian Dashboard | publisher = Smithsonian Institution | url-status = dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170217030101/http://dashboard.si.edu/budget-federal-appropriations |archive-date=February 17, 2017 | access-date = August 13, 2021 }}</ref> Other funding comes from the institution's [[Financial endowment|endowment]], private and corporate contributions, membership dues, and earned retail, concession, and licensing revenue.<ref name="about SI" /> {{As of|2023|post=,}} the institution's endowment had a total value of about $2.4&nbsp;billion.<ref>{{Cite web|title=2023 Annual Report | website= Smithsonian Institution | url= https://www.si.edu/support/annualreport/2023|access-date=March 27, 2025}}</ref>

==Founding ==
[[File:Washington, D.C., April 1865 34773v.jpg|thumb|200px|The Castle in April 1865]]
[[File:Smithsonian Building NR.jpg|thumb|200px|"[[Smithsonian Institution Building|The Castle]]" (built, 1847) on the [[National Mall]]: the institution's earliest building remains its headquarters.|alt=]]

In many ways, the origin of the Smithsonian Institution can be traced to a group of Washington citizens who, being "impressed with the importance of forming an association for promoting useful knowledge," met on June 28, 1816, to establish the [[Columbian Institute for the Promotion of Arts and Sciences]]. Officers were elected in October 1816, and the organization was granted a charter by Congress on April 20, 1818 (this charter expired in 1838). [[Benjamin Latrobe]], who was architect for the US Capitol after the War of 1812, and [[William Thornton]], the architect who designed [[the Octagon House]] and [[Tudor Place]], would serve as officers. Other prominent members, who numbered from 30 to 70 during the institute's existence, included [[John Quincy Adams]], [[Andrew Jackson]], [[Henry Clay]], Judge [[William Cranch]], and [[James Hoban]]. Honorary members included [[James Madison]], [[James Monroe]], [[John Adams]], [[Thomas Jefferson]], and the [[Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette|Marquis de Lafayette]]. Operating expenses were covered from the $5 yearly dues collected from each member.

The institute proposed a number of undertakings. These included the study of plant life and the creation of a botanical garden on the [[National Mall]], an examination of the country's mineral production, improvement in the management and care of livestock, and the writing of a topographical and statistical history of the United States. Reports were to be published periodically to share this knowledge with the greater public, but due to a lack of funds, this initially did not occur. The institute first met in Blodget's Hotel, later in the Treasury Department and City Hall, before being assigned a permanent home in 1824 in the Capitol building.

Beginning in 1825, weekly sittings were arranged during sessions of Congress for the reading of scientific and literary productions, but this was continued for only a short time, as the number attending declined rapidly. Eighty-five communications by 26 people were made to Congress during the entire life of the society, with more than a half relating to astronomy or mathematics. Among all the activities planned by the institute, only a few were actually implemented. Two were the establishment of a botanical garden, and a museum that was designed to have a national and permanent status. The former occupied space where the present [[United States Botanic Garden|Botanic Garden]] sits.

The museum contained specimens of zoology, botany, archeology, fossils, etc., some of which were passed on to the Smithsonian Institution after its formation. The institute's charter expired in 1838, but its spirit lived on in the [[National Institute for the Promotion of Science|National Institution]], founded in 1840. With the mission to "promote science and the useful arts, and to establish a national museum of natural history," this organization continued to press Congress to establish a museum that would be structured in terms that were very similar to those finally incorporated into the founding of the Smithsonian Institution. Its work helped to develop an underlying philosophy that pushed for the pursuit and development of scientific knowledge that would benefit the nation, and edify its citizens at the same time.<ref>{{cite web |title=A Guide to the Columbian Institute in the Special Collections Research Center |url=https://library.gwu.edu/sites/default/files/scrc/Columbian_Institute.pdf |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210725102045/https://library.gwu.edu/sites/default/files/scrc/Columbian_Institute.pdf |archive-date=July 25, 2021 |access-date=July 30, 2021 |publisher=Special Collections Research Center Gelman Library, George Washington University}}</ref>

The British scientist [[James Smithson]] (1765–1829) left most of his wealth to his nephew Henry James Hungerford. When Hungerford died childless in 1835,<ref name=nephewdead>{{cite book|last=Goode|first=George Brown |title=The Smithsonian Institution, 1846–1896, The History of Its First Half Century.|year=1897|publisher=De Vinne Press|location=Washington, D.C.|page=25|url= http://siris-sihistory.si.edu/ipac20/ipac.jsp?session=133GO29212E47.369&profile=sicall&source=~!sichronology&view=subscriptionsummary&uri=full=3100001~!464~!16&ri=1&aspect=power&menu=search&ipp=20&spp=20&staffonly=&term=smithson+james&index=.SW&uindex=&aspect=power&menu=search&ri=1&limitbox_1=LO01+=+sch&ultype=.YW&uloper=%3C&ullimit=1966|archive-url=https://archive.today/20121212194644/http://siris-sihistory.si.edu/ipac20/ipac.jsp?session=133GO29212E47.369&profile=sicall&source=~!sichronology&view=subscriptionsummary&uri=full=3100001~!464~!16&ri=1&aspect=power&menu=search&ipp=20&spp=20&staffonly=&term=smithson+james&index=.SW&uindex=&aspect=power&menu=search&ri=1&limitbox_1=LO01+=+sch&ultype=.YW&uloper=%3C&ullimit=1966|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 12, 2012}}</ref> the estate passed "to the United States of America, to found at Washington, under the name of the Smithsonian Institution, an Establishment for the increase & diffusion of knowledge among men", in accordance with Smithson's will.<ref name="will">{{cite web |first1=James |last1=Smithson |title=Last Will and Testament |date=October 23, 1826 |url=http://siarchives.si.edu/history/exhibits/documents/smithsonwill.htm |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110824051624/http://siarchives.si.edu/history/exhibits/documents/smithsonwill.htm |archive-date=August 24, 2011 |access-date=October 4, 2012 |location= Smithsonian Scrapbook: Letters, Diaries and Photographs from the Smithsonian Archives |website= Smithsonian Institution}}</ref> Congress officially accepted the legacy bequeathed to the nation and pledged the faith of the United States to the charitable trust on July 1, 1836.<ref name=foundingfactsheet>{{cite web|title=Founding of the Smithsonian Institution|url=http://newsdesk.si.edu/factsheets/founding-smithsonian-institution|website= Smithsonian Institution |date=July 1, 2009 |access-date=October 4, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120901160155/http://newsdesk.si.edu/factsheets/founding-smithsonian-institution|archive-date=September 1, 2012}}</ref> The American diplomat [[Richard Rush]] was dispatched to England by President [[Andrew Jackson]] to collect the bequest. Rush returned in August 1838 with 105 sacks containing 104,960 [[gold sovereign]]s. This is approximately $500,000 at the time, which is {{Inflation|US|500000|1838|r=-6|fmt=eq}} or {{Inflation|UK|104960|1838|r=-6|fmt=eq|cursign=£}}. However, when considering the GDP at the time it may be more comparable to $220&nbsp;million in the year 2007.<ref>{{cite book| first= Heather |last= Ewing| title= The Lost World of James Smithson: Science, Revolution, and the Birth of the Smithsonian| pages= 323–24, 330, 409}} Ewing notes that it would be the equivalent of over $10 million today, using one index, but using a per-capita share of GDP, it would be the equivalent of over $220 million. It was close to the total of [[Harvard University]]'s endowment at that point, which had accumulated for nearly 200 years by the 1830s and was not the result of a single gift, as Smithson's was.</ref><ref name=gardens>{{cite book|last=Ottesen|first=Carole| title=A Guide to Smithsonian Gardens| year=2011|publisher=Smithsonian Books|isbn=978-1-58834-300-0|page=[https://archive.org/details/guidetosmithsoni0000otte/page/13 13]|url-access= registration |url= https://archive.org/details/guidetosmithsoni0000otte/page/13}}</ref>

Once the money was in hand, eight years of congressional haggling ensued over how to interpret Smithson's rather vague mandate "for the increase and diffusion of knowledge."<ref name="foundingfactsheet" /><ref name="gardens" /> The money was invested by the US Treasury in bonds issued by the state of Arkansas, which soon defaulted. After heated debate, Massachusetts representative (and former president) [[John Quincy Adams]] persuaded Congress to restore the lost funds with interest<ref>{{cite book| title= Smithsonian Information Brochure| publisher= Smithsonian Institution| location= Smithsonian Visitor Information and Associates' Reception Center| date= May 2009}}</ref> and, despite designs on the money for other purposes, convinced his colleagues to preserve it for an institution of science and learning.<ref>{{cite book| last= Nagel| first= Paul |year= 1999| title= John Quincy Adams: A Public Life, a Private Life| publisher= Harvard University Press| page= 348| isbn= }}</ref> Finally, on August 10, 1846, President [[James K. Polk]] signed the legislation that established the Smithsonian Institution as a trust instrumentality of the United States, to be administered by a Board of Regents and a secretary of the Smithsonian.<ref name="foundingfactsheet" /><ref>{{usstat|9|102}}</ref>

==Development==
Though the Smithsonian's first secretary, [[Joseph Henry]], wanted the institution to be a center for scientific research,<ref>{{Cite book|publisher=University of Alabama Press|isbn=978-0-8173-1204-6| last= Orosz |first= Joel J.|title=Curators and Culture: The Museum Movement in America, 1740-1870|date=June 28, 2002}}{{rp|155}}</ref> it also became the depository for various Washington and U.S. government collections.<ref>{{Cite book|publisher=University of Alabama Press|isbn=978-0-8173-1204-6|last=Orosz|first=Joel J. |title=Curators and Culture: The Museum Movement in America, 1740-1870|date=June 28, 2002}}{{rp|157}}</ref> The [[United States Exploring Expedition]] by the [[United States Navy|U.S. Navy]] circumnavigated the globe between 1838 and 1842.<ref name="University of Washington Press">{{Cite book |publisher= University of Washington Press|isbn=978-0-295-98239-7 |last1=Benson|first1=Keith Rodney |last2=Rehbock|first2=Philip F.|title=Oceanographic History: The Pacific and Beyond|date=2002}}{{rp|532}}</ref> The voyage amassed thousands of animal specimens, an [[herbarium]] of 50,000 plant specimens, and diverse shells and minerals, tropical birds, jars of seawater, and [[ethnographic]] artifacts from the [[South Pacific Ocean]].<ref name="University of Washington Press"/> These specimens and artifacts became part of the Smithsonian collections,<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Adler|first=Antony|date=May 1, 2011 |title=From the Pacific to the Patent Office: The US Exploring Expedition and the origins of America's first national museum |journal=Journal of the History of Collections |volume=23|issue=1|pages=49–74| doi= 10.1093/jhc/fhq002|issn=0954-6650}}</ref> as did those collected by several military and civilian surveys of the [[Western United States|American West]], including the [[United States and Mexican Boundary Survey|Mexican Boundary Survey]] and [[Pacific Railroad Surveys]], which assembled many [[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]] artifacts and [[natural history]] specimens.<ref>{{Cite book |publisher=Рипол Классик|isbn=978-5-88160-802-6|last1=Baird |first1=S.F. |last2=Emory|first2=W.H. |title=Report on the United States and Mexican boundary survey|year=1857}}{{rp|13}}</ref>

In 1846, the regents developed a plan for weather observation; in 1847, money was appropriated for meteorological research.<ref>{{cite EB1911|wstitle=Smithsonian Institution|volume=25}}</ref> The institution became a magnet for young [[scientists]] from 1857 to 1866, who formed a group called the [[Megatherium Club]].<ref name="Merrill1999">{{cite book|last=Merrill|first=Marlene Deahl |title=Yellowstone and the Great West: Journals, Letters, and Images from the 1871 Hayden Expedition |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5im5iAPqy3UC&pg=PA220|access-date=September 4, 2016|year=1999|publisher=University of Nebraska Press|location=Lincoln|isbn=0803231482|page=220|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170716061906/https://books.google.com/books?id=5im5iAPqy3UC&pg=PA220|archive-date=July 16, 2017}}</ref> The Smithsonian played a critical role as the US partner institution in early bilateral scientific exchanges with the [[Academy of Sciences of Cuba]].<ref>{{cite web|last1=Pastrana |first1=Sergio Jorge |title= Building a Lasting Cuba-U.S. Bridge through Science |url=http://www.sciencediplomacy.org/perspective/2015/building-lasting-cuba-us-bridge-through-science|website=Science & Diplomacy |date=March 30, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150402103006/http://www.sciencediplomacy.org/perspective/2015/building-lasting-cuba-us-bridge-through-science|archive-date=April 2, 2015}}</ref>

===Museums and buildings===
[[File:Smithsonian.jpg|thumb|330px|The Smithsonian Institution area around the [[National Mall]].]]

Construction began on the [[Smithsonian Institution Building]] ("the Castle") in 1849. Designed by architect [[James Renwick Jr.]], its interiors were completed by general contractor Gilbert Cameron. The building opened in 1855.<ref>{{cite web|url={{NHLS url|id=66000867}}|title=National Register of Historic Places Inventory Nomination: Smithsonian Institution Building|last=Morton |first=W. Brown III| date= February 8, 1971|publisher=National Park Service|access-date=May 11, 2009}}</ref>

The Smithsonian's first expansion came with the construction of the [[Arts and Industries Building]] in 1881. Congress had promised to build a new structure for the museum if the 1876 [[Philadelphia Centennial Exposition]] generated enough income. It did, and the building was designed by architects [[Adolf Cluss]] and Paul Schulze, based on original plans developed by [[Major general (United States)|Major General]] [[Montgomery C. Meigs]] of the [[United States Army Corps of Engineers]]. It opened in 1881.<ref>{{cite web |url={{NHLS url|id=71000994}}|title=National Register of Historic Places Inventory Nomination: Arts and Industries Building of the Smithsonian Institution|last=Norton|first=W. Brown III|date=April 6, 1971|publisher=National Park Service|access-date=May 11, 2009}}</ref>

[[File:A field trip to the Smithsonian Institution LCCN2001702329.jpg|thumb|200px|A school field trip to the Smithsonian Institution, {{c.|1900}}]]

The [[National Zoological Park (United States)|National Zoological Park]] opened in 1889 to accommodate the Smithsonian's Department of Living Animals.<ref name="siarchives.si.edu">{{cite web |url= http://siarchives.si.edu/history/exhibits/pictures/national-zoological-park |title=National Zoological Park |website= Smithsonian Institution |url-status=dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20141111025911/http://siarchives.si.edu/history/exhibits/pictures/national-zoological-park |archive-date=November 11, 2014}}</ref> The park was designed by landscape architect [[Frederick Law Olmsted]].<ref name="siarchives.si.edu" />

The [[National Museum of Natural History]] opened in June 1911 to similarly accommodate the Smithsonian's United States National Museum, which had previously been housed in the Castle and then the Arts and Industries Building.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.mnh.si.edu/about/history.htm |title=Museum History |website= nmh.si.edu |publisher=National Museum of Natural History |year=2008 |access-date=November 15, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090726053347/https://www.mnh.si.edu/about/history.htm |archive-date=July 26, 2009}}</ref> This structure was designed by the D.C. architectural firm of [[Hornblower & Marshall]].<ref>{{cite news| title= New Museum Plans| newspaper= The Washington Post| date= April 13, 1903}}</ref>

When [[Detroit]] [[philanthropist]] [[Charles Lang Freer]] donated his private collection to the Smithsonian and funds to build the museum to hold it (which was named the [[Freer Gallery]]), it was among the Smithsonian's first major donations from a private individual.<ref>{{Cite book|publisher=Freer Gallery of Art, Smithsonian Institution, Arthur M. Sackler Gallery|isbn=978-1-85759-297-9|last=Gunter|first=Ann Clyburn|title=A Collector's Journey: Charles Lang Freer and Egypt|date=2002}}{{rp|96}}</ref> The gallery opened in 1923.<ref>{{Cite book|publisher=The History Press|isbn=978-1-62585-064-5| last= Fortier |first= Alison |title=A History Lover's Guide to Washington, D.C.: Designed for Democracy|date=May 6, 2014}}{{rp|110}}</ref>

More than 40 years would pass before the next museum, the Museum of History and Technology (renamed the [[National Museum of American History]] in 1980), opened in 1964. It was designed by the world-renowned firm of [[McKim, Mead & White]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Moeller|first1=Gerard Martin|last2=Feldblyum|first2=Boris|title=AIA Guide to the Architecture of Washington, D.C. |location=Baltimore |publisher=Johns Hopkins University Press|date=2012|isbn=9781421402697|page=78}}</ref> The [[Anacostia Community Museum]], an "experimental store-front" museum created at the initiative of Smithsonian Secretary [[S. Dillon Ripley]], opened in the [[Anacostia]] neighborhood of Washington, D.C., in 1967.<ref name=Bass>{{cite journal|last=Bass|first=Holly |title=Camille Akeju: New Director Seeks to Rejuvenate Anacostia Museum |journal= [[Crisis (journal)|Crisis]] |date=March–April 2006|pages=37–39 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sEIEAAAAMBAJ&q=Anacostia+Museum&pg=PA37|access-date=April 22, 2012 |url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140108005536/http://books.google.com/books?id=sEIEAAAAMBAJ&lpg=PA39&dq=Anacostia%20Museum&pg=PA37#v=onepage&q=Anacostia%20Museum&f=false|archive-date=January 8, 2014}}</ref><ref name=SIAHistory>{{cite web|title=Anacostia Community Museum|url=http://siarchives.si.edu/history/anacostia-community-museum |work=Smithsonian Museums|publisher=[[Smithsonian Institution Archives]]|access-date=April 22, 2012|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120418131744/http://siarchives.si.edu/history/anacostia-community-museum |archive-date=April 18, 2012}}</ref><ref name=Oehser>{{cite book|last=Oehser|first=Paul H.|title=The Smithsonian Institution |year=1970|publisher=Praeger Publishers|location=New York |isbn=8989456584|pages=10 |url= http://siarchives.si.edu/collections/siris_sic_1095|access-date=April 22, 2012|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130103035755/http://siarchives.si.edu/collections/siris_sic_1095 |archive-date=January 3, 2013}}</ref> That same year, the Smithsonian signed an agreement to take over the Cooper Union Museum for the Arts of Decoration (now the [[Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum]]).<ref>{{cite news|last=Knox|first=Sanka|title=Smithsonian Takes Over Cooper Union Museum|work=The New York Times|date=October 10, 1967|page=41}}</ref> The [[National Portrait Gallery (United States)|National Portrait Gallery]] and the [[Smithsonian American Art Museum]] opened in the [[Old Patent Office Building]] (built in 1867) on October 7, 1968.<ref>{{cite news| last= Richard| first= Paul| title= A National Family Album| newspaper= The Washington Post| date= October 6, 1968}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| last= Martin| first= Judith| title= 'Semi, Demi-Heroes' Open New Gallery| newspaper= The Washington Post| date= October 7, 1968}}</ref> The reuse of an older building continued with the opening of the [[Renwick Gallery]] in 1972 in the 1874 Renwick-designed art gallery originally built by local philanthropist [[William Wilson Corcoran]] to house the [[Corcoran Gallery of Art]].<ref name="WP 2013">{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/gog/museums/renwick-gallery-of-the-smithsonian-american-art-museum,791815/critic-review.html |title= Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian American Art Museum |newspaper=Washington Post |access-date=July 18, 2013 |author=Yardley, William |url-status=dead|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110212011708/http://www.washingtonpost.com/gog/museums/renwick-gallery-of-the-smithsonian-american-art-museum,791815/critic-review.html |archive-date=February 12, 2011}}</ref>

The first new museum building to open since the National Museum of History and Technology was the [[Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden]], which opened in 1974.<ref>{{cite news |last= Raynor |first= Vivian |title= A Preview of the New Hirshhorn Museum|work=The New York Times|date=July 14, 1974|access-date=December 13, 2016|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1974/07/14/archives/a-preview-of-the-new-hirshhorn-museum-the-hirshhorn-some-arresting.html|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170715220327/http://www.nytimes.com/1974/07/14/archives/a-preview-of-the-new-hirshhorn-museum-the-hirshhorn-some-arresting.html|archive-date=July 15, 2017}}</ref> The [[National Air and Space Museum]], the Smithsonian's largest in terms of floor space, opened in June 1976.<ref>{{cite web| last= Mianecki| first=Julie |title= The List: Six Things You Didn't Know About the Air and Space Museum on its 35th Anniversary|website= smithsonianmag.com |date=June 29, 2011|access-date=December 13, 2016 |url= http://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/the-list-six-things-you-didnt-know-about-the-air-and-space-museum-on-its-35th-anniversary-24268503/}}</ref>

Eleven years later, the [[National Museum of African Art]] and the [[Arthur M. Sackler Gallery]] opened in a new, joint, underground museum between the Freer Gallery and the Smithsonian Castle.<ref name=SIAA>{{cite web|title=National Museum of African Art |url=http://siarchives.si.edu/history/national-museum-african-art|work=Smithsonian History|publisher=[[Smithsonian Institution Archives]]|access-date=May 16, 2012|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120528121703/http://siarchives.si.edu/history/national-museum-african-art |archive-date=May 28, 2012}}</ref><ref name= opening>{{cite web| title= Quadrangle Complex Opens |url=http://siarchives.si.edu/collections/siris_sic_1765| publisher= Smithsonian Institution| work= The Torch| date= January 1987| page= 1 |access-date=May 16, 2012|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130104132101/http://siarchives.si.edu/collections/siris_sic_1765|archive-date=January 4, 2013}} Record Unit 371, Box 5.</ref><ref name=SIA1>{{cite web| title=Arthur M. Sackler Gallery |url=http://siarchives.si.edu/history/arthur-m.-sackler-gallery |work= Smithsonian Institution |publisher=[[Smithsonian Institution Archives]] |access-date=May 10, 2012|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120528121624/http://siarchives.si.edu/history/arthur-m.-sackler-gallery |archive-date=May 28, 2012}}</ref> Reuse of another old building came in 1993 with the opening of the [[National Postal Museum]] in the 1904 former [[Postal Square Building|City Post Office]] building, a few city blocks from the Mall.<ref>{{cite news|last=McAllister |first=Bill|title=The Museum On the Mail|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=July 2, 1993|page=N58}}</ref>

In 2004, the Smithsonian opened the [[National Museum of the American Indian]] in a new building near the [[United States Capitol]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Rothstein|first=Edward|title=Museum With an American Indian Voice|work=The New York Times|date=September 21, 2004|access-date=December 13, 2016|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/09/21/arts/design/museum-with-an-american-indian-voice.html |url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160615010955/http://www.nytimes.com/2004/09/21/arts/design/museum-with-an-american-indian-voice.html|archive-date=June 15, 2016}}</ref> Twelve years later almost to the day, in 2016, the latest museum opened: the [[National Museum of African American History and Culture]], in a new building near the [[Washington Monument]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Cotter|first=Holland|title=Review: The Smithsonian African American Museum Is Here at Last. And It Uplifts and Upsets|work=The New York Times|date=September 15, 2016|access-date=December 13, 2016 |url= https://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/22/arts/design/smithsonian-african-american-museum-review.html|url-status=live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20161216023638/http://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/22/arts/design/smithsonian-african-american-museum-review.html|archive-date=December 16, 2016}}</ref>

Two more museums have been established and are being planned for eventual construction on the Mall: the [[National Museum of the American Latino]] and the [[Smithsonian American Women's History Museum]].

===Capital campaigns===
In 2011, the Smithsonian undertook its first-ever capital fundraising campaign.<ref>{{Cite book|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-1-135-69399-2|last=Kelly|first=Kathleen S.|title=Effective Fund-Raising Management| date= December 6, 2012}}{{rp|79}}</ref> The $1.5&nbsp;billion effort raised $1&nbsp;billion at the three-year mark. Smithsonian officials made the campaign public in October 2014 in an effort to raise the remaining $500&nbsp;million. More than 60,000 individuals and organizations donated money to the campaign by the time it went public.<ref name="McGlone">{{cite news| url= https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/museums/smithsonian-announces-15-billion-fundraising-effort/2014/10/20/b853634e-586d-11e4-8264-deed989ae9a2_story.html|last=McGlone|first=Peggy|title=Smithsonian Announces $1.5 Billion Fundraising Effort|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=October 20, 2014|access-date=October 21, 2014|url-status=live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20141021101512/http://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/museums/smithsonian-announces-15-billion-fundraising-effort/2014/10/20/b853634e-586d-11e4-8264-deed989ae9a2_story.html|archive-date=October 21, 2014}}</ref> This included 192 gifts of at least $1&nbsp;million.<ref name="McGlone"/> Members of the boards of directors of various Smithsonian museums donated $372&nbsp;million.<ref name="McGlone"/> The Smithsonian said that funds raised would go toward completion of the [[National Museum of African American History and Culture]] building, and renovations of the [[National Air and Space Museum]], [[National Museum of American History]], and the [[Renwick Gallery]].<ref name="McGlone"/> A smaller amount of funds would go to educational initiatives and digitization of collections.<ref name="McGlone"/> As of September 2017, the Smithsonian claimed to have raised $1.79&nbsp;billion, with three months left in the formal campaign calendar.<ref>{{cite web|title=Progress |url=https://smithsoniancampaign.org/progress|website=smithsoniancampaign.org|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180210064239/https://smithsoniancampaign.org/progress|archive-date= February 10, 2018}}</ref>

Separately from the major capital campaign, the Smithsonian has begun fundraising through [[Kickstarter]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/lifestyle/smithsonian-kickstarter |title=Saving America's treasures: The Smithsonian used Kickstarter to raise money for Neil Armstrong's spacesuit and Dorothy's ruby slippers. Was it worth it? |first=Peggy |last=McGlone |date=July 6, 2017 |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=January 20, 2018 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107234036/https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/lifestyle/smithsonian-kickstarter/ |archive-date=November 7, 2017}}</ref> An example is a campaign to fund the preservation and maintenance of the [[ruby slippers]] worn by [[Judy Garland]] for her role as [[Dorothy Gale]] in the 1939 film ''[[The Wizard of Oz (1939 film)|The Wizard of Oz]]''.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Bowley|first1=Graham|title=Smithsonian Seeks $300,000 to Save Dorothy's Ruby Slippers |url= https://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/20/arts/design/smithsonian-seeks-300000-to-save-dorothys-ruby-slippers.html|access-date=October 14, 2017|work=The New York Times|date=October 19, 2016|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161226170219/http://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/20/arts/design/smithsonian-seeks-300000-to-save-dorothys-ruby-slippers.html|archive-date=December 26, 2016}}</ref>

==Museums==
{{main|List of Smithsonian museums}}

Nineteen museums and galleries, as well as the [[National Zoological Park (United States)|National Zoological Park]], comprise the Smithsonian museums.<ref name="Fact">{{cite web| url= http://newsdesk.si.edu/factsheets/facts-about-smithsonian-institution |title= Facts about the Smithsonian Institution| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20101101232622/http://newsdesk.si.edu/factsheets/facts-about-smithsonian-institution |archivedate= November 1, 2010 | website= newsdesk.si.edu | publisher= Smithsonian Institution| access-date= February 19, 2011}}</ref> Eleven are on the [[National Mall]], the park that runs between the [[Lincoln Memorial]] and the [[United States Capitol]]. Other museums are located elsewhere in Washington, D.C., with two more in New York City and one in [[Chantilly, Virginia]].

[[File:Air and Space Planes.jpg|thumb|200px|Aircraft on display at the [[National Air and Space Museum]], including a [[Ford Trimotor]] and [[Douglas DC-3]] (top and second from top)]]

{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
!scope="col"| Institution<ref name="Fact" />
!scope="col" class=unsortable| Type of collection
!scope="col" style="width: 15%"| Location<ref>{{cite web| url= http://www.si.edu/Visit/Maps |title= Maps and Directions| website= Smithsonian Institution | access-date= February 21, 2011}}</ref>
!scope="col"| Opened
!scope="col" class=unsortable|{{ref heading}}
|-
!scope="row"| [[Anacostia Museum|Anacostia Community Museum]]
| [[African American culture]]
| [[Washington, D.C.]] <br> [[Anacostia]] 
| 1967
| <ref name="Anacosta">{{cite web| url= http://anacostia.si.edu/Museum/Mission_History.htm |title= Mission and History| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20110828225228/http://anacostia.si.edu/Museum/Mission_History.htm |archivedate=August 28, 2011 | website= anacostia.si.edu| publisher= Anacostia Community Museum| access-date= December 6, 2009}}</ref>
|-
!scope="row"| [[Arthur M. Sackler Gallery]] (affiliated with the Freer Gallery)
| [[Asian art]]
| Washington, D.C. <br> [[National Mall]]
| 1987
| <ref name="Freer">[http://www.asia.si.edu/visitor/history.htm History of the Galleries] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090320023807/http://www.asia.si.edu/visitor/history.htm |date=March 20, 2009 }}. Freer and Sackler Galleries. Retrieved December 6, 2009</ref>
|-
!scope="row"| [[Arts and Industries Building]]
| Special event venue
| Washington, D.C. <br> National Mall
| 1881
| <ref name="Arts">{{cite web|url= http://www.si.edu/Museums/arts-and-industries-building |title= Arts and Industries Building| website= Smithsonian Institution. Retrieved December 26, 2015.}}</ref>
|-
!scope="row"| [[Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum]]
| Design history
| New York City <br> [[Fifth Avenue#Museum Mile|Museum Mile]]
| 1897
| <ref name="Cooper">{{cite web| url= http://www.cooperhewitt.org/ABOUT/ |title= About The Museum | archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20090310142556/http://cooperhewitt.org/ABOUT/ |archivedate= March 10, 2009 | publisher= Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum| access-date= December 6, 2009}}</ref>
|-
!scope="row"| [[Freer Gallery of Art]] (affiliated with the Sackler Gallery)
| [[Asian art]]
| Washington, D.C. <br> National Mall
| 1923
|<ref name="Freer" />
|-
!scope="row"| [[Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden]]
| [[contemporary art|Contemporary]] and [[modern art]]
| Washington, D.C. <br> National Mall
| 1974
| <ref name="Hirshorn">{{cite web| url= http://hirshhorn.si.edu/info/column.asp?key=92 |title= History of the Hirshhorn | publisher= Hirshorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, Smithsonian Institution| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20080928232542/http://hirshhorn.si.edu/info/column.asp?key=92 |archivedate=September 28, 2008 |access-date= December 6, 2009}}</ref>
|-
!scope="row"| [[National Air and Space Museum]]
| [[Aviation]] and [[spaceflight]] history
| Washington, D.C. <br> National Mall
| {{sort|1946|1946,<br/>1976{{NoteTag|name=Moved| Year museum moved to current building}}}}
| <ref name="NASM">{{cite web |url= http://www.nasm.si.edu/museum/history/nasm25th/chronology/index.htm |title= National Air and Space Museum Chronology| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20130422183430/http://airandspace.si.edu/museum/history/nasm25th/chronology/index.htm |archivedate= April 22, 2013 | website= nasm.si.edu| publisher= National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution| access-date= December 6, 2009}}</ref>
|-
!scope="row"| National Air and Space Museum's [[Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center]]
| Aviation and spaceflight history
| [[Chantilly, Virginia|Chantilly]], [[Virginia]]
| 2003
| <ref name="Udvar">{{cite web| url= http://www.nasm.si.edu/museum/udvarhazy/ |title= Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center |archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20120430130921/http://www.nasm.si.edu/museum/udvarhazy/ |archivedate= April 30, 2012 | website= nasm.si.edu| publisher= National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution| access-date= February 25, 2010}}</ref>
|-
!scope="row"| [[National Museum of African American History and Culture]]
| [[African-American history]] and [[African-American culture|culture]]
| Washington, D.C. <br> National Mall
| {{sort|2003|2003,<br/>2016{{NoteTag|name=Moved}}}}
| <ref>{{cite web| url= http://nmaahc.si.edu/section/about_us |title= About Us| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20090326185133/http://nmaahc.si.edu/section/about_us |archivedate=March 26, 2009 | publisher= National Museum of African American History and Culture, Smithsonian Institution|access-date=February 25, 2010}}</ref><ref name="NMAAHC">[http://nmaahcdesign.si.edu/overview/ Building The Museum, Overview]. National Museum of African American History and Culture. Retrieved January 10, 2010</ref>
|-
!scope="row"| [[National Museum of African Art]]
| [[African art]]
| Washington, D.C. <br> National Mall
| {{sort|1964|1964,<br/>1987{{NoteTag|name=Moved}}}}
| <ref name="NYT2">{{cite news |last=Brenson |first=Michael |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1987/09/08/arts/beneath-smithsonian-debut-for-2-museums.html |title=Beneath Smithsonian, Debut for 2 Museums |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=September 8, 1987 |access-date=December 29, 2009}}</ref>
|-
!scope="row"| [[National Museum of American History]]
| [[American history]]
| Washington, D.C. <br> National Mall
| 1964
| <ref name="American History">[http://americanhistory.si.edu/museum/mission-history Mission and History]. National Museum of American History. Retrieved February 14, 2018</ref>
|-
!scope="row"| [[National Museum of the American Indian]]
| [[Native Americans in the United States|Native American history]] and [[Native American art|art]]
| [[Washington, D.C.]] <br> [[National Mall]]
| 2004
| <ref name="Indian">[http://www.nmai.si.edu/subpage.cfm?subpage=about About the National Museum of the American Indian] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100206102230/http://www.nmai.si.edu/subpage.cfm?subpage=about |date=February 6, 2010 }}. National Museum of the American Indian. Retrieved February 25, 2010</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20040917050700/http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2004/09/0914_040915_indian_museum_opening.html 20,000 American Indians March at National Museum Opening]. [[National Geographic (magazine)|National Geographic]] News. September 21, 2004. Retrieved December 29, 2009</ref>
|-
!scope="row"| National Museum of the American Indian's [[George Gustav Heye Center]]
| [[Native Americans in the United States|Native American history]] and [[Native American art|art]]
| [[New York City]] <br> [[Bowling Green (New York City)|Bowling Green]]
| 1994
| <ref name="Indian" /><ref>[http://www.nmai.si.edu/subpage.cfm?subpage=visitor&second=ny Visitor Information New York, NY] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090413221042/http://www.nmai.si.edu/subpage.cfm?subpage=visitor&second=ny |date=April 13, 2009 }}. National Museum of the American Indian. Retrieved December 29, 2009</ref>
|-
!scope="row"| [[National Museum of Natural History]]
| [[Natural history]]
| Washington, D.C. <br> National Mall
| {{sort|1858|1858,<br/>1911{{NoteTag|name=Moved}}}}
| <ref name="Natural">[http://www.mnh.si.edu/onehundredyears/brief_history.htm A Brief History] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160121200124/http://www.mnh.si.edu/onehundredyears/brief_history.htm |date=January 21, 2016 }}. National Museum of Natural History Museum History. Retrieved February 21, 2011</ref>
|-
!scope="row"| [[National Portrait Gallery (United States)|National Portrait Gallery]]
| [[Portrait painting|Portraiture]]
| Washington, D.C. <br> [[Penn Quarter, Washington, D.C.|Penn Quarter]]
| 1968
| <ref>[http://www.npg.si.edu/inform/overview.html Visiting the Museum, A Brief Overview: History with Personality]. National Portrait Gallery. Retrieved February 25, 2010</ref><ref>[http://www.npg.si.edu/inform/chronology.html Visiting the Museum, Building Chronology]. National Portrait Gallery. Retrieved December 29, 2009</ref>
|-
!scope="row"| [[National Postal Museum]]
| [[United States Postal Service]]; [[postal history]]; [[philately]]
| Washington, D.C. <br> [[NoMa]]
| 1993
| <ref name="Postal">[http://www.postalmuseum.si.edu/museum/1c_history.html History of the Smithsonian National Postal Museum] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120414185001/http://www.postalmuseum.si.edu/museum/1c_history.html |date=April 14, 2012 }}. National Postal Museum. Retrieved December 29, 2009</ref>
|-
!scope="row"| [[Renwick Gallery]]
| [[American craft]] and [[decorative arts]]
| Washington, D.C. <br> [[Lafayette Square Historic District, Washington, D.C.|Lafayette Square]]
| 1972
| <ref name="SAAM">[http://americanart.si.edu/visit/about/history/ About the American Art Museum and the Renwick Gallery, History of the Museum Collection] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140820024139/http://americanart.si.edu/visit/about/history/ |date=August 20, 2014 }}. Smithsonian American Art Museum. Retrieved December 29, 2009</ref>
|-
!scope="row"| [[Smithsonian American Art Museum]]
| [[Visual art of the United States|American art]]
| Washington, D.C. <br> Penn Quarter
| 1968
| <ref name="SAAM" />
|-
!scope="row"| [[Smithsonian Institution Building]] (The Castle)
| [[Visitor center]] and offices
| Washington, D.C. <br> National Mall
| 1855
| <ref name="Smithsonian">[http://www.si.edu/Museums/smithsonian-institution-building Smithsonian Institution Building (The Castle)]. Smithsonian Institution. Retrieved February 21, 2011</ref>
|-
!scope="row"| [[National Zoological Park (United States)|National Zoological Park]] (National Zoo)
| [[Zoo]]
| Washington, D.C. <br> [[Rock Creek Park]]
| 1889
| <ref name=Zoo>[http://nationalzoo.si.edu/AboutUs/History/ History of the National Zoo]. [[National Zoological Park (United States)|National Zoological Park]]. Retrieved December 29, 2009</ref>
|-
!scope="row"| [[Smithsonian American Women's History Museum]] 
| [[Women's history]]
| Washington, D.C. <br>  
| 2020{{NoteTag|name=Unbuilt| Year established; museum is currently pending construction}}
| <ref name="newmuseums-2020">{{cite web |last1=Blair |first1=Elizabeth |title=Congress Approves 2 New Museums Honoring American Latinos, Women's History |url=https://www.npr.org/2020/12/22/949153631/congress-approves-2-new-museums-honoring-american-latinos-womens-history |website=NPR |access-date=22 February 2025 |language=en |date=22 December 2020}}</ref>
|-
!scope="row"| [[National Museum of the American Latino]] 
| [[Hispanic and Latino Americans]]
| Washington, D.C. <br>
| 2020{{NoteTag|name=Unbuilt}}
| <ref name="newmuseums-2020" />
|}

The Smithsonian has close ties with 168 other museums in 39 states, [[Panama]], and [[Puerto Rico]].<ref name="Fact" /> These museums are known as Smithsonian Affiliated museums. Collections of artifacts are given to these museums in the form of long-term loans. The Smithsonian also has a large number of traveling exhibitions, operated through the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service (SITES).<ref>[https://www.sites.si.edu/s/ Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service (SITES)] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171110051740/https://www.sites.si.edu/s/ |date=November 10, 2017}}</ref> In 2008, 58 of these traveling exhibitions went to 510 venues across the country.<ref name="Fact" />

===Collections===
{{Expand section|date=September 2012}}
Smithsonian collections include 156&nbsp;million artworks, artifacts, and specimens. The [[National Museum of Natural History]] houses 145&nbsp;million of these specimens and artifacts, which are mostly animals preserved in formaldehyde. The Collections Search Center has 9.9&nbsp;million digital records available online. The Smithsonian Institution Libraries hold 2&nbsp;million library volumes. Smithsonian Archives hold {{convert|156830|cuft}} of archival material.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.si.edu/Collections|title=Smithsonian Collections |work=Smithsonian|publisher=Smithsonian Institution|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151204031426/http://si.edu/Collections|archive-date=December 4, 2015 |access-date=June 28, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://collections.si.edu/search/about.htm|title=Smithsonian|publisher=Smithsonian Institution|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170614050316/http://collections.si.edu/search/about.htm|archive-date=June 14, 2017 |access-date=June 28, 2019}}</ref>

The Smithsonian Institution has many categories of displays that can be visited at the museums. In 1912, First Lady [[Helen Herron Taft]] donated her inauguration gown to the museum to begin the [[Ball_gown#First_Ladies_Collection|First Ladies' Gown]] display at the [[National Museum of American History]],<ref>{{cite news |url=http://americanhistory.si.edu/first-ladies/tradition-of-the-gowns|title=The First Ladies at the Smithsonian: The Tradition of the Gowns (page 1 of 3)|work=The National Museum of American History|date=April 4, 2012|publisher=Smithsonian Institution|access-date=March 8, 2017 |url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170308221145/http://americanhistory.si.edu/first-ladies/tradition-of-the-gowns |archive-date=March 8, 2017}}</ref> one of the Smithsonian's most popular exhibits.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://americanhistory.si.edu/first-ladies/introduction|title=The First Ladies at the Smithsonian: The First Ladies: Introduction |work=The National Museum of American History|date=April 4, 2012 |publisher=Smithsonian Institution|access-date=March 8, 2017|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170301223434/http://americanhistory.si.edu/first-ladies/introduction |archive-date=March 1, 2017}}</ref> The museum displays treasures such as the [[Star-Spangled Banner (flag)|Star-Spangled Banner]], the stove pipe hat that was worn by President [[Abraham Lincoln]], the ruby slippers worn by Judy Garland in ''[[The Wizard of Oz (1939 film)|The Wizard Of Oz]]'', and the original Teddy Bear that was named after President [[Theodore Roosevelt]].<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.teddybearandfriends.com/archive/articles/history.html|title=The History of the Teddy Bear|first=Marianne|last=Clay|year=2002|magazine=Teddy Bear & Friends|publisher=Madavor Media, LLC|access-date=December 10, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110723184018/http://www.teddybearandfriends.com/archive/articles/history.html |archive-date=July 23, 2011}}</ref> In 2016, the Smithsonian's Air & Space museum curators restored the large model ''Enterprise'' from the original ''[[Star Trek: The Original Series|Star Trek]]'' TV series.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.npr.org/2016/06/28/483281249/smithsonian-sets-phasers-to-restore-on-original-starship-enterprise |title=Smithsonian Sets Phasers To Restore On Original Starship Enterprise|date=June 28, 2016|work=Morning Edition|publisher=NPR: National Public Radio|access-date=July 1, 2016|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160701072340/http://www.npr.org/2016/06/28/483281249/smithsonian-sets-phasers-to-restore-on-original-starship-enterprise|archive-date=July 1, 2016}}</ref>

Following international debates about the [[decolonisation of museums]] and the legal and moral justifications of their acquisitions, the Smithsonian adopted a new "ethical returns policy" on April 29, 2022. This will permit the [[Deaccessioning|deaccession]] and restitution of items collected under circumstances considered unethical by contemporary standards and thus places moral over legal arguments. A month before, the Smithsonian's [[National Museum of African Art]] had announced the planned return of most of its 39 [[Benin Bronzes]] to [[Nigeria]],<ref>{{Cite news |last=McGlone |first=Peggy |title=Smithsonian to give back its collection of Benin bronzes |language=en-US |newspaper=Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/arts-entertainment/2022/03/08/smithsonian-benin-bronzes-nigeria-return/ |access-date=May 18, 2022 |issn=0190-8286}}</ref> as well as of other cultural items to [[Turkey]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ludel |first=Wallace |date=May 4, 2022 |title=Smithsonian adopts new 'ethical returns policy' to handle artefacts with problematic histories |url=https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2022/05/04/smithsonian-new-ethical-returns-policy |access-date=May 18, 2022 |website=The Art Newspaper - International art news and events}}</ref>

On October 11, 2022, Benin Bronzes from the [[National Museum of African Art]], as well as the [[National Gallery of Art]], were formally returned to Nigerian cultural officials in a ceremony held in Washington D.C. The Nigerian Minister of Information and Culture, [[Lai Mohammed]], and Prince Aghatise Erediauwa, representing the [[Oba of Benin]] Kingdom, spoke at the ceremony. Mohammed said the "decision to return the timeless artworks is worth emulating."<ref>{{Cite web |date=October 11, 2022 |title=Smithsonian Returns 29 Benin Bronzes to the National Commission for Museums and Monuments in Nigeria |url=https://www.si.edu/newsdesk/releases/smithsonian-returns-29-benin-bronzes-national-commission-museums-and-monuments |website= Smithsonian Institution}}</ref>

===Open access===
In February 2020, the Smithsonian made 2.8&nbsp;million digital items available to the public under a [[Creative Commons Zero]] Public Domain Dedication, with a commitment to release further items in the future.<ref>{{cite web |title=Open Access FAQ |url=https://www.si.edu/openaccess/faq |website=Smithsonian Institution |access-date=November 14, 2020 |language=en}}</ref>

==Research Centers==
The Smithsonian has eight research centers, located in Washington, D.C.; [[Front Royal, Virginia]]; [[Edgewater, Maryland]]; [[Suitland, Maryland]]; [[Fort Pierce, Florida]]; [[Cambridge, Massachusetts]]; and [[Panama]].<ref name="Fact" /><ref name="SMS">{{cite web|title=Smithsonian Marine Station at Fort Pierce|url=https://www.si.edu/unit/smithsonian-marine-station|access-date=December 24, 2022|website= Smithsonian Institution |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221130080904/https://www.si.edu/unit/smithsonian-marine-station |archive-date=November 30, 2022 }}</ref><ref name="SERC">{{cite web|title=Smithsonian Environmental Research Center| url=https://serc.si.edu/ | website= Smithsonian Environmental Research Center |publisher= Smithsonian Institution |access-date=December 24, 2022}}</ref><ref name="MCI">{{cite web|title=Museum Conservation Institute: About|url=https://mci.si.edu/about|access-date=December 24, 2022}}</ref><ref name="SCBI">{{cite web|title=Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute|url=https://nationalzoo.si.edu/conservation|access-date=December 24, 2022 | website= nationalzoo.si.edu |publisher= Smithsonian Institution |date=March 15, 2016 }}</ref><ref name="SAO">{{cite web|title=Smithsonian Astophysical Observatory History|url=https://www.cfa.harvard.edu/about/about-smithsonian-astrophysical-observatory/smithsonian-astrophysical-observatory-history|access-date=December 24, 2022|website= cfa.harvard.edu}}</ref><ref name="STRI">{{cite web|title=Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute: About Us|url=https://stri.si.edu/about-us|access-date=December 24, 2022 |website=stri.si.edu |publisher= Smithsonian Institution |date=December 19, 2016 }}</ref> Formerly two separate entities, the Smithsonian Libraries and Smithsonian Archives merged into one research center in 2020.<ref name="SLA">{{cite web|title=Smithsonian Libraries and Archives|url=https://www.si.edu/newsdesk/factsheets/smithsonian-libraries-and-archives| website= Smithsonian Environmental Research Center |publisher= Smithsonian Institution |access-date=December 24, 2022}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
!scope="col"| Research center<ref name="Fact" />
!scope="col" class=unsortable| Area of focus
!scope="col" style="width: 15%"| Location<ref name="STRI" /><ref name="SERC" /><ref name="SMS" /><ref name="SCBI" />
!scope="col"| Opened
!scope="col" class=unsortable|{{ref heading}}
|-
!scope="row"| [[Archives of American Art]]
| History of the [[visual arts]] in the United States
| Washington, D.C. <br> New York City 
| | {{sort|1970|1954<br/>1970{{NoteTag|name=Affiliated| Year center became affiliated with the Smithsonian}}}}
| <ref>{{cite web| url= https://www.aaa.si.edu/about| title= About the Archives of American Art| website= Smithsonian Environmental Research Center |publisher= Smithsonian Institution |date= December 24, 2022}}</ref>
|-
!scope="row"| [[Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory]]
| [[Astrophysics]]
| [[Cambridge, Massachusetts]]
| 1890
| <ref name="SAO" />
|-
!scope="row"| [[Museum Conservation Institute]]
| [[Conservation and restoration of cultural property|Conservation]]
| [[Suitland, Maryland]]
| 1965
|<ref name="MCI" />
|-
!scope="row"| [[Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute]] (affiliated with the [[National Zoological Park (United States)|National Zoo]])
| [[Veterinary medicine]], [[Reproductive endocrinology and infertility|reproductive physiology]] and [[conservation biology]]
| [[Front Royal, Virginia]]
| 1974
| <ref name="SCBI" />
|-
!scope="row"| [[Smithsonian Environmental Research Center]]
| Coastal [[ecosystem]]s
| [[Edgewater, Maryland]]
| 1965
| <ref name="SERC" />
|-
!scope="row"| [[Smithsonian Libraries and Archives]]
| Science, art, history and culture, and [[museology]] information and reference
| Washington, D.C.
| 1968{{NoteTag|name=Libraries| Year the Smithsonian Institution Libraries came into existence}}<br/>2020{{NoteTag|name=SLA| Year the Smithsonian Libraries and Smithsonian Archives merged}}
| <ref name="SLA" />
|-
!scope="row"| Smithsonian Marine Station at Fort Pierce (affiliated with the [[National Museum of Natural History]])
| Floridian marine ecosystems and lifeforms
| [[Fort Pierce, Florida]]
| {{sort|1981|1981<br/>1999{{NoteTag|name=MovedSMS| Year the research center moved to its current location}}}}
| <ref name="Oceans">{{cite web|title=A Timeline of the History of Women in Ocean Science|url=https://ocean.si.edu/human-connections/history-cultures/irrepressible-wave| website= Smithsonian Ocean |publisher= Smithsonian Institution |access-date=December 24, 2022}}</ref>
|-
!scope="row"| [[Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute]]
| [[Tropical ecology]] and its interactions with human [[Well-being|welfare]]
| [[Panama]]
| {{sort|1966|1923{{NoteTag|name=BCI| Year Barro Colorado Island was declared a biological reserve}}<br/>1946{{NoteTag|name=BCIAffiliated| Year Barro Colorado Island became affiliated with the Smithsonian Institution}}<br/>1966{{NoteTag|name=Founded| Year the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute was founded}}}}
| <ref name="STRI" />
|}

==Cultural Centers==

The Smithsonian Institution includes three cultural centers among its units:

* [[Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage]]
* [[Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center]]
* [[Smithsonian Latino Center]]

===Smithsonian Latino Center===
In 1997, the Smithsonian Latino Center was created as a way to recognize Latinos across the Smithsonian Institution. The primary purpose of the center is to place Latino contributions to the arts, history, science, and national culture across the Smithsonian's museums and research centers.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://latino.si.edu/About|title=About the Center |website=latino.si.edu |publisher= Smithsonian Institution |access-date=May 18, 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160602232938/http://latino.si.edu/About|archive-date=June 2, 2016}}</ref>

The center is a division of the Smithsonian Institution.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=http://latino.si.edu/PDF/2007/YAP_PR_6.26.07.pdf|title=Smithsonian Latino Center's Young Ambassadors Arrive for Week of Cultural Programs in Washington, D.C.|last=Lara|first=Isabel|date=June 26, 2007| website= latino.si.edu |publisher= Smithsonian Institution |access-date=May 18, 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170216050238/http://latino.si.edu/PDF/2007/YAP_PR_6.26.07.pdf|archive-date=February 16, 2017}}</ref> As of May 2016, the center is run by an executive director, Eduardo Díaz.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://latino.si.edu/About/Staff|title=Smithsonian Latino Center Staff| website= latino.si.edu |publisher= Smithsonian Institution |access-date=May 18, 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160611141733/http://latino.si.edu/About/Staff|archive-date=June 11, 2016}}</ref>

====History====
At the time of its creation, the Smithsonian Institution had other entities dedicated to other minority groups: National Museum of the American Indian, Freer-Sackler Gallery for Asian Arts and Culture, African Art Museum, and the National Museum of African-American Heritage and Culture.<ref name=":2">{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/style/documents/smithsonian/OlearyIGdeclaration.pdf|title=Declaration|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170216085038/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/style/documents/smithsonian/OlearyIGdeclaration.pdf|archive-date=February 16, 2017|access-date=September 12, 2017}}</ref>

The opening of the center was prompted, in part, by the publishing of a report called "Willful Neglect: The Smithsonian and U.S. Latinos".<ref name=":2" />

According to documents obtained by ''[[The Washington Post]]'', when former Latino Center executive director [[Pilar O'Leary]] first took the job, the center faced employees who had "serious performance issues". No performance plans existed for the staff and unfulfilled financial obligations to sponsors existed. The website's quality was poor, and the center did not have a public affairs manager, a programs director, adequate human resources support, or cohesive mission statement.<ref name=":2" />

After difficult times in the first few years, the center improved. According to the Smithsonian, the center "support[s] scholarly research, exhibitions, public and educational programs, web-based content and virtual platforms, and collections and archives. [It] also manage[s] leadership and professional development programs for Latino youth, emerging scholars and museum professionals."<ref name=":0" /> Today, the website features a high-tech virtual museum including self-guided virtual tours of past and present exhibits.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://latino.si.edu/LVM|title=Smithsonian Latino Virtual Museum | website= latino.si.edu |publisher= Smithsonian Institution |access-date=May 18, 2016|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160510114004/http://latino.si.edu/LVM|archive-date=May 10, 2016}}</ref>

====Young Ambassadors Program====
The Smithsonian Latino Center's Young Ambassadors Program (YAP) is a program within the Latino Center that reaches out to Latino high school students with the goal of encouraging them to become leaders in arts, sciences, and the humanities.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://latino.si.edu/Education/YAP|title=Young Ambassadors Program| website= latino.si.edu |publisher= Smithsonian Institution |access-date=May 18, 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160510115706/http://latino.si.edu/Education/YAP|archive-date=May 10, 2016}}</ref>

Students selected for the program travel to Washington, D.C. for an "enrichment seminar" that lasts approximately five days. Afterwards, students return to their communities to serve in a paid, one-month internship.<ref name=":1" />

Pilar O'Leary launched the program when she served as executive director of the Smithsonian Latino Center.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://issuu.com/washingtonlife/docs/holiday_2006__100mb_/80|title=Con Sabor!|date=2006|work=Washington Life Magazine "Substance and Style" Issue|access-date=May 18, 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160616154819/https://issuu.com/washingtonlife/docs/holiday_2006__100mb_/80|archive-date=June 16, 2016}}</ref> According to the Latino Center, O'Leary told the press in 2007: "Our goal is to help our Young Ambassadors become the next generation of leaders in the arts and culture fields. This program encourages students to be proud of their roots and learn more about their cultural heritage to inspire them to educate the public in their own communities about how Latinos are enriching America's cultural fabric."<ref name=":1" />

==Publications==
The institution publishes ''[[Smithsonian (magazine)|Smithsonian]]'' magazine monthly and ''[[Air & Space]]'' magazine bimonthly. ''Smithsonian'' was the result of Secretary of the Smithsonian [[S. Dillon Ripley]] asking the retired editor of ''[[Life (magazine)|Life]]'' magazine [[Edward K. Thompson]] to produce a magazine "about things in which the Smithsonian Institution is interested, might be interested or ought to be interested".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.smithsonianmag.com/history-archaeology/Noxious_Bogs__Amorous_Elephants.html |archive-url= https://archive.today/20130202154607/http://www.smithsonianmag.com/history-archaeology/Noxious_Bogs__Amorous_Elephants.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 2, 2013 |title=Noxious Bogs & Amorous Elephants: Smithsonian's birth, 35 years ago, only hinted at the splendors to follow |last=Winfrey |first=Carey |publisher=Smithsonian |date=October 2005 }}</ref> Another Secretary of the Smithsonian, Walter Boyne, founded ''Air & Space''.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Walker |first=Paul D |title=Truman's Dilemma: Invasion Or the Bomb |date=September 23, 2010 |publisher=Pelican Publishing |isbn=978-1-4556-1335-9}}{{rp|269}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |publisher=Pelican Publishing Company, Inc.|isbn=978-1-4556-1568-1|last=Boyne|first=Walter |title=How the Helicopter Changed Modern Warfare|date=March 4, 2011}}{{rp|353}}</ref>

The organization publishes under the imprints Smithsonian Institution Press, Smithsonian Books, and Smithsonian Institution Scholarly Press.<ref name="open-lib-sip">{{cite web |title=Smithsonian Institution Press |url=https://openlibrary.org/publishers/Smithsonian_Institution_Press |website=Open Library |access-date=November 23, 2020}}</ref><ref name="smithsonian-books">{{cite web |title=About Smithsonian Books |url=https://www.smithsonianbooks.com/about/ |website=Smithsonian Books |access-date=November 23, 2020}}</ref><ref name="scholarly-press">{{cite web |title=About Us |url=https://scholarlypress.si.edu/about-us/ | website= scholarlypress.si.edu |publisher= Smithsonian Institution |access-date=November 23, 2020}}</ref>

==Awards==
The Smithsonian makes a number of awards to acknowledge and support meritorious work. 
* The [[James Smithson Medal]], the Smithsonian Institution's highest award, was established in 1965 and is given in recognition of exceptional contributions to art, science, history, education, and technology. 
* The James Smithson Bicentennial Medal, established in 1965, is given to persons who have made distinguished contributions to the advancement of areas of interest to the Smithsonian. 
* The [[Hodgkins Medal]], established in 1893, is awarded for important contributions to the understanding of the physical environment. 
* The Henry Medal, established in 1878, is presented to individuals in recognition of their distinguished service, achievements or contributions to the prestige and growth of the Smithsonian Institution. 
* The [[Langley Gold Medal]] is awarded for meritorious investigations in connection with aerodromics ("the science or art of [[Aircraft|flying aircraft]]", a 19th century term predating the [[Airplane|powered airplane]])<ref>{{cite encyclopedia |title=aerodromics |encyclopedia=Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary |publisher=Merriam-Webster |url=https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/aerodromics |access-date=2025-01-28}}</ref> and its application to aviation.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://newsdesk.si.edu/about/awards |title=Awards and Medals |website=Smithsonian Institution |access-date=June 19, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170617144849/http://newsdesk.si.edu/about/awards |archive-date=June 17, 2017 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Administration==
[[File:Smithsonian Castle Doorway.jpg|thumb|200px|upright|The Smithsonian Castle doorway]]
The Smithsonian Institution was established as a [[Trust (property)|trust]] instrumentality by act of Congress.<ref name="Stam">{{cite book|last=Stam|first=David H.|title=International Dictionary of Library Histories, Volume 1 & 2|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=APtYCwAAQBAJ&pg=PA702|access-date=September 9, 2016|year=2001|publisher=Routledge|location=London|isbn=978-1-136-77785-1|page=702 |url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170416054300/https://books.google.com/books?id=APtYCwAAQBAJ&pg=PA702 |archive-date=April 16, 2017}}</ref> More than two-thirds of the Smithsonian's workforce of some 6,300 persons are employees of the federal government. The [[Smithsonian Institution Office of Protection Services]] oversees security at the Smithsonian facilities and enforces laws and regulations for [[National Capital Parks]] together with the [[United States Park Police]].

The president's 2011 budget proposed just under $800&nbsp;million in support for the Smithsonian, slightly increased from previous years. Institution exhibits are free of charge, though in 2010 the [[National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform|Deficit Commission]] recommended admission fees.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fiscalcommission.gov/sites/fiscalcommission.gov/files/documents/Illustrative_List_11.10.2010.pdf |title=$200 billion in Illustrative Savings |publisher= | work= fiscalCommission.gov |access-date=July 1, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101119153741/http://www.fiscalcommission.gov/sites/fiscalcommission.gov/files/documents/Illustrative_List_11.10.2010.pdf |archive-date=November 19, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://newsdesk.si.edu/releases/smithsonian-responds-deficit-commission-s-recommendation-admission-fees |title=Smithsonian Responds to Deficit Commission's Recommendation on Admission Fees | website= Smithsonian Institution  |date=November 12, 2010 |access-date=November 18, 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20101116150742/http://newsdesk.si.edu/releases/smithsonian-responds-deficit-commission-s-recommendation-admission-fees |archive-date=November 16, 2010}}</ref>

As approved by [[United States Congress|Congress]] on August 10, 1846, the legislation that created the Smithsonian Institution called for the creation of a Board of Regents to govern and administer the organization.<ref name="Stam"/> This seventeen-member board meets at least four times a year and includes as ''[[ex officio]]'' members the [[Chief Justice of the United States|chief justice of the United States]] and the [[Vice President of the United States|vice president of the United States]]. The nominal head of the institution is the [[Chancellor (education)|chancellor]], an office which has traditionally been held by the chief justice. In September 2007, the board created the position of chair of the Board of Regents, a position currently held by [[Risa Lavizzo-Mourey]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Smithsonian Board of Regents |url=https://www.si.edu/regents/members | website= Smithsonian Institution  |access-date= }}</ref>

Other members of the Board of Regents are three members of the [[U.S. House of Representatives]] appointed by the [[Speaker of the United States House of Representatives|speaker of the House]]; three members of the Senate, appointed by the [[Senate of the United States#Officers|president ''pro tempore'' of the Senate]]; and nine citizen members, nominated by the board and approved by the Congress in a joint resolution signed by the president of the United States.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://newsdesk.si.edu/kits/default.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100407183020/http://newsdesk.si.edu/kits/default.htm|url-status= dead|title=Smithsonian Press Kit| website= Smithsonian Institution  |archive-date=April 7, 2010}}</ref> Regents who are senators or representatives serve for the duration of their elected terms, while citizen Regents serve a maximum of two six-year terms. Regents are compensated on a part-time basis.

The [[chief executive officer]] (CEO) of the Smithsonian is the secretary, who is appointed by the Board of Regents. The secretary also serves as secretary to the Board of Regents but is not a voting member of that body. The secretary of the Smithsonian has the [[Standing Rules of the United States Senate, Rule XXIII|privilege of the floor]] at the [[United States Senate]]. On September 18, 2013, Secretary G. Wayne Clough announced he would retire in October 2014. The Smithsonian Board of Regents said it asked regent John McCarter, Jr., to lead a search committee.<ref name="Cloughret">[http://www.bizjournals.com/washington/blog/top-shelf/2013/09/smithsonian-chief-will-retire-in-2014.html Cooper, Rebecca. "Smithsonian Chief Will Retire in 2014." ''Washington Business Journal.'' September 18, 2013.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130920043648/http://www.bizjournals.com/washington/blog/top-shelf/2013/09/smithsonian-chief-will-retire-in-2014.html |date=September 20, 2013 }} Accessed September 18, 2013.</ref> On March 10, 2014, the Smithsonian Board selected [[David Skorton]], a physician and president of [[Cornell University]], as the thirteenth secretary of the Smithsonian. Skorton took the reins of the institution on July 1, 2015.<ref name="BoyleParkerSkorton">[http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/2014/03/10/cc7d2244-a85d-11e3-8d62-419db477a0e6_story.html Parker, Lonnae O'Neal Parker and Boyle, Katherine. "Smithsonian Institution Names Cornell President As Its 13th Secretary." ''Washington Post.'' March 10, 2014.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141227082935/http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/2014/03/10/cc7d2244-a85d-11e3-8d62-419db477a0e6_story.html |date=December 27, 2014 }} Accessed March 10, 2014.</ref> Upon Skorton's announced resignation in 2019, the Board selected [[Lonnie Bunch|Lonnie Bunch III]], the founding director of the Smithsonian's [[National Museum of African American History and Culture]], as the fourteenth secretary.<ref name="NPR1">{{Cite news|url=https://www.npr.org/2019/05/28/727497208/smithsonian-institution-names-lonnie-bunch-iii-as-its-next-secretary|title=Lonnie Bunch III Set To Become Smithsonian Institution's 1st Black Secretary|newspaper=NPR|date=May 28, 2019|last1=Dwyer|first1=Colin}}</ref>

===Secretaries of the Smithsonian Institution===
The following persons have served as secretary of the Smithsonian Institution:<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.si.edu/newsdesk/factsheets/secretaries-smithsonian-institution |title=The Secretaries of the Smithsonian Institution |date=April 19, 2019 |publisher=Smithsonian Institution}}</ref>

{| class=wikitable style="text-align:center"
|-
!{{Abbr|No.|Number}}
!Portrait
!Secretary
!Term start
!Term end
!Notes
|-
|1
|[[File:Joseph Henry - Brady-Handy.jpg|70px]]
|[[Joseph Henry]]
|1846
|May 13, 1878
|died in office<ref>{{cite news |url=https://baltimoresun.newspapers.com/newspage/372513415/ |title=Funeral of the Late Prof. Henry. |date=May 17, 1878 |page=4 |newspaper=[[The Baltimore Sun]] |url-access=subscription |quote=}}</ref>
|-
|2
|[[File:Portrait of Spencer Fullerton Baird - 1867.jpg|70px]]
|[[Spencer Fullerton Baird]]
|May 17, 1878
|August 19, 1887
|<ref>{{cite news |url=https://baltimoresun.newspapers.com/newspage/372513454/ |title=TELEGRAPHIC SUMMARY, ETC. |date=May 18, 1878 |page=1 |newspaper=[[The Baltimore Sun]] |url-access=subscription |quote=The board of regents of the Smithsonian Institution at Washington yesterday elected Prof. Spencer F. Baird secretary of the institution in place of the late Prof. Joseph Henry. Prof. Baird is a native of Reading, Pa., and is a distinguished naturalist, has written several scientific works, is a member of the National Academy of Sciences, and is president of the United States Fish Commission.}}</ref> died in office<ref>{{cite news |url=https://baltimoresun.newspapers.com/newspage/371221050/ |title=DEATHS OF WELL-KNOWN MEN |date=August 20, 1887 |page=4 |newspaper=[[The Baltimore Sun]] |url-access=subscription |quote=Spencer F. Baird, secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, director of the National Museum and United States commissioner of fish and fisheries, died here at 3.45 P.M. today, in the 65th year of his age.}}</ref>
|- bgcolor="#e6e6aa"
|acting
|rowspan="2" bgcolor="#ffffff"|[[File:Samuel Pierpont Langley.jpg|70px]]
|rowspan="2" bgcolor="#ffffff"|[[Samuel Pierpont Langley]]
|August 19, 1887
|November 18, 1887
|<ref>{{cite web |url=https://siarchives.si.edu/collections/siris_sic_323 |title=Samuel Langley Appointed Acting Secretary |publisher=Smithsonian Institution}}</ref>
|-
|3
|November 18, 1887
|February 27, 1906
|<ref>{{cite news |url=https://post-gazette.newspapers.com/newspage/86378573/ |title=He is Elected Secretary of the Smithsonian Institute. |date=November 19, 1887 |page=2 |newspaper=[[Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]] |url-access=subscription |quote=An Associated Press telegram from Washington last evening, stated that at a special meeting of the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institute held yesterday, Prof. P. Langley was elected secretary of the institution, to succeed the late Prof. S. F. Baird.}}</ref> died in office<ref>{{cite news |url=https://post-gazette.newspapers.com/newspage/86545699/ |title=PROFESSOR SAMUEL P. LANGLEY, THE NOTED SCIENTIST, WHO DIED YESTERDAY |date=February 28, 1906 |page=1 |newspaper=[[Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]] |url-access=subscription |quote=Samuel P. Langley, who died at Aiken, S.C., today had a slight stroke of paralysis November 22nd, which affected his right side.}}</ref>
|- bgcolor="#e6e6aa"
|acting
|[[File:Richard Rathbun.jpg|70px]]
|[[Richard Rathbun]]
|February 27, 1906
|January 24, 1907
|<ref>{{cite web |url=https://siarchives.si.edu/collections/siris_arc_216663 |title=Record Unit 55 |publisher=Smithsonian Institution}}</ref>
|-
|4
|[[File:Charles Walcott.jpg|70px]]
|[[Charles Doolittle Walcott]]
|January 24, 1907
|February 9, 1927
|<ref>{{cite news |url=https://baltimoresun.newspapers.com/newspage/371717710/ |title=C. D. WALCOTT ELECTED: Becomes Secretary Of The Smithsonian Institution |date=January 24, 1907 |page=2 |newspaper=[[The Baltimore Sun]] |url-access=subscription |quote=Charles D. Walcott, the present the director of the United States Geological Survey, was today elected secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, to succeed the late Prof. S. P. Langley.}}</ref> died in office<ref>{{cite news |url=https://baltimoresun.newspapers.com/newspage/373294259/ |title=Smithsonian Secretary Is Victim Of Apoplexy |date=February 10, 1927 |page=2 |newspaper=[[The Baltimore Sun]] |url-access=subscription |quote=Dr. Charles D. Walcott, secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, died here today from apoplexy. He was 77 years old.}}</ref>
|- bgcolor="#e6e6aa"
|acting
|rowspan="2" bgcolor="#ffffff"|[[File:Dr. Charles G. Abbot with Book.jpg|70px]]
|rowspan="2" bgcolor="#ffffff"|[[Charles Greeley Abbot]]
|February 10, 1927
|January 10, 1928
|<ref>{{cite news |url=https://baltimoresun.newspapers.com/newspage/373162226/ |title=Expeditions Seek Fuller Conception Of World |date=April 24, 1927 |page=127 |newspaper=[[The Baltimore Sun]] |url-access=subscription |quote=The year's expeditions were headed by journey to Algeria, Baluchistan and Southwest Africa, undertaken by Dr. C. G. Abbot, acting secretary of the Smithsonian, under the auspices of the National Geographic Society and the Smithsonian to select a site for a solar observatory in the Eastern Hemisphere.}}</ref>
|-
|5
|January 10, 1928
|June 30, 1944
|<ref>{{cite news |url=https://baltimoresun.newspapers.com/newspage/373788073/ |title=Elected Secretary Of Smithsonian DR. CHARLES GREELEY ABBOT |date=January 11, 1928 |page=11 |newspaper=[[The Baltimore Sun]] |url-access=subscription |quote=Charles Greeley Abbot, recognized as the world's foremost authority on solar radiation, was elected secretary of the Smithsonian Institution today board of regents of the institution, headed by Chief Justice Taft. He succeeds the late Dr. Charles D. Walcott. Dr. Abbot has been assistant secretary since 1918 and has directed the work of the institution since Dr. Walcott's death last February.}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://baltimoresun.newspapers.com/newspage/374317768/ |title=Dr. C. F. Abbot Retires As Smithsonian Official |date=June 30, 1944 |page=6 |newspaper=[[The Baltimore Sun]] |url-access=subscription |quote=Dr. Charles F. Abbot, 72, reputed to know more about the sun than any other man announced today his retirement as secretary of Washington's Smithsonian Institution. A native of Wilton, N. Dr. Abbot acquired fame as early as for his researches into the phenomena of solar radiation. His books include "The Sun." Dr. Abbot has been Smithsonian secretary since 1928. His assistant, Dr. Alexander Wetmore, a native of Wisconsin, will become acting secretary effective Saturday.}}</ref>
|- bgcolor="#e6e6aa"
|acting
|rowspan="2" bgcolor="#ffffff"|[[File:Dr. Alexander Wetmore, Asst. Sec. of Smithsonian Institute, 4-6-25 LCCN2016850256.jpg|70px]]
|rowspan="2" bgcolor="#ffffff"|[[Alexander Wetmore]]
|July 1, 1944
|January 12, 1945
|<ref>{{cite web |url=https://siarchives.si.edu/collections/siris_sic_733 |title=Charles G. Abbot Retires as Secretary |publisher=Smithsonian Institution}}</ref>
|-
|6
|January 13, 1945
|December 31, 1952
|<ref>{{cite news |url=https://baltimoresun.newspapers.com/newspage/373944560/ |title=Made Smithsonian Secretary |date=January 14, 1945 |page=13 |newspaper=[[The Baltimore Sun]] |url-access=subscription |quote=Dr. Alexander Wetmore has been elected secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, succeeding Dr. Charles G. Abbott, who resigned last June. Dr. Wetmore has been assistant Secretary since 1925.}}</ref>
|-
|7
|[[File:Secretary Leonard Carmichael.jpg|70px]]
|[[Leonard Carmichael]]
|January 1, 1953
|December 31, 1963
|<ref>{{cite news |url=https://bostonglobe.newspapers.com/newspage/433341020/ |title=Dr. Carmichael Made Head of Smithsonian |date=April 10, 1952 |page=3 |newspaper=[[The Boston Globe]] |url-access=subscription |quote=Pres. Leonard Carmichael of Tufts College said last night he will leave the college "with the deepest feeling of regret" to take the post of secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, to which he was elected, yesterday. An alumnus and president for the past 14 years, Carmichael was selected from a list of 30 distinguished educators, scientists and civic leaders to head the group of national museums in Washington. He is the first college president to hold the position. His election was announced by the chancellor of the board of regents, Fred M. Vinson, Chief Justice of the United States. He succeeds Dr. Alexander Wetmore, retiring after seven years of management of the 106-year-old institution. At Dr. Carmichael's request, the appointment was made effective Jan, 1, 1953. since he wished to be present for the entire calendar year of Tufts Centennial, now being observed.}}</ref>
|-
|8
|[[File:S. Dillon Ripley, Smithsonian Institution, 1984.jpg|70px]]
|[[Sidney Dillon Ripley]]
|January 1, 1964
|September 16, 1984
|<ref>{{cite news |url=https://courant.newspapers.com/newspage/367941197/ |title=Yale Biologist Named Smithsonian Secretary |date=July 14, 1963 |page=25 |newspaper=[[Hartford Courant]] |url-access=subscription |quote=Dr. S. Dillon Ripley 2d, director of the Peabody Museum of Natural History here and biology professor at Yale University, was elected secretary of the Smithsonian Institution at Washington, DC, it was announced Saturday. The announcement of Dr. Ripley's election by the Smithsonian Board of Regents was announced by Chief Justice Earl Warren of the U.S. Supreme Court, chancellor of the Smithsonian. He will succeed Dr. Leonard Carmichael next Jan. 1. World-Known Dr. Ripley will be the eighth man to serve as secretary of the 117-year-old Smithsonian.}}</ref>
|-
|9
|[[File:Ninth Secretary, Robert McCormick Adams.jpg|70px]]
|[[Robert McCormick Adams, Jr.]]
|nowrap|September 17, 1984
|nowrap|September 18, 1994
|<ref>{{cite news |url=https://latimes.newspapers.com/newspage/401703195/ |title=Chicago Educator Named Smithsonian Secretary |date=January 24, 1984 |page=8 |newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]] |url-access=subscription |quote=The Smithsonian Institution on Monday named University of Chicago archeologist and anthropologist Robert McCormick Adams as its ninth secretary. Adams, 57, will succeed Secretary S. Dillon Ripley when Ripley retires on Sept. 17, just before his 71st birthday, after two decades of guiding the institution's growth.}}</ref><ref name="tribune 1994">{{cite news |url=https://chicagotribune.newspapers.com/newspage/167098049/ |title=Smithsonian gains Latino perspective |date=December 27, 1994 |page=52 |newspaper=[[Chicago Tribune]] |url-access=subscription |quote=So he was hired by retiring Smithsonian Secretary Robert Adams as a consultant to implement the report's recommendations. When Adams was replaced on Sept. 19 by I. Michael Heyman, the new administrator declared in his inaugural speech his intention to continue the movement toward inclusion.}}</ref>
|-
|10
|
|[[Ira Michael Heyman]]
|September 19, 1994
|December 31, 1999
|<ref name="tribune 1994"/><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.historians.org/perspectives-article/michael-heyman-to-retire-from-the-smithsonian-march-1999/ |title=Michael Heyman to Retire from the Smithsonian |date=March 1, 1999 |work=[[American Historical Association]]}}</ref>
|-
|11
|
|[[Lawrence M. Small]]
|January 1, 2000
|March 26, 2007
|<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1999/09/14/arts/president-of-fannie-mae-is-to-lead-smithsonian.html |title=President Of Fannie Mae Is to Lead Smithsonian |first=Irvin |last=Molotsky |date=September 14, 1999 |newspaper=[[New York Times]] |url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.npr.org/2007/03/27/9151771/small-leaves-smithsonian-amid-criticism |title=Small Leaves Smithsonian Amid Criticism |date=March 27, 2007 |first=Elizabeth |last=Blair |work=[[NPR]]}}</ref>
|- bgcolor="#e6e6aa"
|acting
|[[File:Cristian Samper at the Public Meeting of Advisory Council on Wildlife Trafficking (11437208214) (cropped).jpg|70px]]
|[[Cristián Samper]]
|March 26, 2007
|June 30, 2008
|<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/03/26/AR2007032600643.html |title=Smithsonian's Small Quits in Wake of Inquiry |first1=Jacqueline |last1=Trescott |first2=James V. |last2=Grimaldi |date=March 27, 2007 |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]}}</ref>
|-
|12
|[[File:G. Wayne Clough official photo.jpg|70px]]
|[[G. Wayne Clough]]
|July 1, 2008
|December 31, 2014
|<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.si.edu/newsdesk/releases/g-wayne-clough-named-secretary-smithsonian-institution |title=G. Wayne Clough Named Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution |date=March 15, 2008 |publisher=Smithsonian Institution}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.si.edu/newsdesk/releases/smithsonian-secretary-announces-plan-retire |title=Smithsonian Secretary Announces Plan to Retire |date=September 18, 2013 |publisher=Smithsonian Institution}}</ref>
|- bgcolor="#e6e6aa"
|acting
|
|Albert G. Horvath
|January 1, 2015
|June 30, 2015
|<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.si.edu/newsdesk/releases/smithsonian-chancellor-names-albert-horvath-acting-secretary |title=Smithsonian Chancellor Names Albert Horvath Acting Secretary |date=October 30, 2014 |publisher=Smithsonian Institution}}</ref>
|-
|13
|[[File:David J. Skorton official photo.jpg|70px]]
|[[David J. Skorton]]
|July 1, 2015
|June 14, 2019
|<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.si.edu/newsdesk/releases/smithsonian-regents-name-david-skorton-13th-smithsonian-secretary |title=Smithsonian Regents Name David Skorton 13th Smithsonian Secretary |date=March 10, 2014 |publisher=Smithsonian Institution}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.si.edu/newsdesk/releases/secretary-david-skorton-depart-smithsonian |title=Secretary David Skorton To Depart the Smithsonian |date=December 20, 2018 |publisher=Smithsonian Institution}}</ref><ref name="BoyleParkerSkorton" />
|-
|14
|[[File:Lonnie G. Bunch III on 18 October 2023 (cropped).jpg|70px]]
|[[Lonnie Bunch]]
|June 15, 2019
|present
|<ref name="NPR1"></ref>
|-
|}

==Controversies==

===''Enola Gay'' display===
{{See also|Enola Gay#Exhibition controversy|l1= ''Enola Gay'' exhibition controversy }}

In 1995, controversy arose over the exhibit at the [[National Air and Space Museum]] with the display of the ''[[Enola Gay]]'', the [[Superfortress]] used by the United States to drop the first [[atomic bomb]] used in [[World War II]]. The [[American Legion]] and [[Air Force Association]] believed the exhibit put forward only one side of the [[debate over the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki]], and that it emphasized the effect on victims without discussing its use within the overall context of the war.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Kohn |first=R. H. |date=1995 |title=History and the culture wars: The case of the Smithsonian Institution's Enola Gay Exhibition |journal=The Journal of American History |volume=82 |number=3 |pages=1036–1063 |doi=10.2307/2945111|jstor=2945111 }}</ref> The Smithsonian changed the exhibit, displaying the aircraft only with associated technical data and without discussion of its historic role in the war.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://airandspace.si.edu/collection-objects/boeing-b-29-superfortress-enola-gay/nasm_A19500100000 | title=Boeing B-29 Superfortress "Enola Gay" &#124; National Air and Space Museum }}</ref>

===Censorship of ''Seasons of Life and Land''===
In 2003, a [[National Museum of Natural History]] exhibit, [[Subhankar Banerjee (photographer)|Subhankar Banerjee]]'s ''Seasons of Life and Land'', featuring photographs of the [[Arctic National Wildlife Refuge]], was censored and moved to the basement by Smithsonian officials. They were concerned that its subject matter was too politically controversial.<ref>{{Cite news |url= https://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn?pagename=article&node=&contentId=A17628-2003May20&notFound=true |newspaper=The Washington Post |title=Smithsonian's Arctic Refuge Exhibit Draws Senate Scrutiny |first= Jacqueline |last=Trescott |date=May 21, 2003 |access-date=May 23, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110429173241/http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn?pagename=article&node=&contentId=A17628-2003May20&notFound=true |archive-date=April 29, 2011}}</ref>

In November 2007, ''[[The Washington Post]]'' reported internal criticism has been raised regarding the institution's handling of the exhibit on the Arctic. According to documents and e-mails, the exhibit and its associated presentation were edited at high levels to add "scientific uncertainty" regarding the nature and impact of [[global warming]] on the [[Arctic]]. Acting Secretary of the Smithsonian [[Cristián Samper]] was interviewed by the ''Post'', and claimed the exhibit was edited because it contained conclusions that went beyond what could be proven by contemporary [[climatology]].<ref>{{Cite news |title=Scientists Fault Climate Exhibit Changes |date=November 16, 2007|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/11/15/AR2007111502550.html?hpid=topnews |newspaper= The Washington Post |page=4 |access-date=November 18, 2007 |first1=James V. |last1=Grimaldi |first2=Jacqueline |last2=Trescott |url-status=live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110429173254/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/11/15/AR2007111502550.html?hpid=topnews |archive-date=April 29, 2011}}</ref> The Smithsonian is now a participant in the [[U.S. Global Change Research Program]].<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.globalchange.gov/about/program-structure/agencies |title=Participating Departments and Agencies |work= globalchange.gov |publisher=US Global Change Research Program |access-date=March 30, 2010 |url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100310123640/http://globalchange.gov/about/program-structure/agencies |archive-date=March 10, 2010}}</ref>

===Copyright restrictions===
The Smithsonian Institution provides access to its image collections for educational, scholarly, and nonprofit uses. Commercial uses are generally restricted unless permission is obtained. Smithsonian images fall into different copyright categories; some are protected by copyright, many are subject to license agreements or other contractual conditions, and some fall into the public domain, such as those prepared by Smithsonian employees as part of their official duties. The Smithsonian's terms of use for its digital content, including images, are set forth on the Smithsonian Web site.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.si.edu/copyright |title=Terms of use of this website | website= Smithsonian Institution  |access-date=July 26, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090716063125/http://www.si.edu/copyright/ |archive-date=July 16, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://smithsonianimages.si.edu/siphoto/siphoto.portal?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=content&contentpath=copyright.html |title=Smithsonian Images-Copyright |publisher= Smithsonian Institution| website= smithsonianimages.si.edu |date=January 13, 2012 |access-date=July 26, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111002131433/http://smithsonianimages.si.edu/siphoto/siphoto.portal?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=content&contentpath=copyright.html |archive-date=October 2, 2011}}</ref>

In April 2006, the institution entered into an agreement of "first refusal" rights for its vast [[silent film|silent]] and [[public domain]] film archives with [[Showtime Networks]], mainly for use on the [[Smithsonian Channel]], a network created from this deal. Critics contend this agreement effectively gives Showtime control over the film archives, as it requires filmmakers to obtain permission from the network to use extensive amounts of film footage from the Smithsonian archives.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/04/01/arts/television/01smit.html?|title=Smithsonian Agreement Angers Filmmakers| newspaper= The New York Times|date=April 1, 2006|first=Edward|last=Wyatt|access-date=May 23, 2010|url-status=live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110501003705/http://www.nytimes.com/2006/04/01/arts/television/01smit.html |archive-date=May 1, 2011}}</ref>

===Trump executive order===
{{See also|Executive Order 14151|Executive Order 14168|Executive Order 14172|Executive Order 14190}}
On March 27, 2025, President [[Donald Trump]] signed an [[List of executive orders in the second presidency of Donald Trump|executive order]] that accused the [[Presidency of Joe Biden|prior administration]] of advancing a "corrosive ideology". Titled "Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History", the order directed Vice President [[JD Vance]], a member of the Smithsonian Board of Regents, to rid the institution of "improper, divisive, or anti-American" ideology. The order is part of the [[Second presidency of Donald Trump|Trump administration's]] efforts to eliminate federal funding of actions and ideas with which it does not agree.<ref name="nbc-27mar2025">{{cite news |last1=Egwuonwu |first1=Nnamdi |title=Trump targets 'improper ideology' at Smithsonian museums in new executive order |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/trump-administration/trump-targets-improper-ideology-smithsonian-museums-executive-order-rcna198503 |access-date=March 28, 2025 |work=[[NBC News]]] |date=March 27, 2025}}</ref><ref name="npr-28mar2025">{{cite news |last1=Veltman |first1=Chloe |title=Trump executive order seeks to 'restore' American history through Smithsonian overhaul |url=https://www.npr.org/2025/03/27/nx-s1-5342914/smithsonian-president-trump-executive-order |access-date=March 28, 2025 |work=[[NPR]] |date=March 28, 2025}}</ref><ref name="wh-27mar2025">{{cite web |title=Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History |url=https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/03/restoring-truth-and-sanity-to-american-history/ |website=[[The White House]] |access-date=March 28, 2025 |date=March 27, 2025}}</ref> The order cited the exhibition ''The Shape of Power: Stories of Race and American Sculpture'', declaring it to be an example of a "harmful and oppressive" shift in the narrative portraying American values, specifically for promoting the idea that "race is not a biological reality but a social construct, stating 'race is a human invention'" {{mdash}} a statement contrary to generally accepted scientific understanding.<ref>{{cite web |title='Biological reality': What genetics has taught us about race |first=Adam |last=Rutherford |date= April 20, 2025 |website=[[BBC]] | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/future/article/20250417-biological-reality-what-genetics-has-taught-us-about-race}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[3773 Smithsonian]]
* [[List of aircraft in the Smithsonian Institution]]
* [[Smithsonian Ocean Portal]]
* [[Smithsonian Theaters]]
* [[Astrophysics Data System|Smithsonian/NASA Astrophysics Data System]]
* "[[Gerard Krefft#"The New Museum Idea"|The New Museum Idea]]"
* [[American Federation of Government Employees, Local 2463, Smithsonian Institution]]

==Notes==
<References group='note'/>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
* Heather Ewing, ''The Lost World of James Smithson: Science, Revolution, and the Birth of the Smithsonian.'' Bloomsbury, 2007.
* [[Nina Burleigh]], ''Stranger and the Statesman: James Smithson, John Quincy Adams, and the Making of America's Greatest Museum, The Smithsonian.'' New York: [[HarperCollins]], 2003.
* True, Webster P., [https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uiug.30112106600882&seq=5 ''The First Hundred Years of the Smithsonian Institution, 1846-1946''], 1946.
* United States. Congress. House of Representatives. [https://purl.fdlp.gov/GPO/gpo40853 Collections Stewardship at the Smithsonian: Hearing before the Committee on House Administration, House of Representatives, One Hundred Thirteenth Congress, First Session.] Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office, 2013.
* William S. Walker, ''A Living Exhibition: The Smithsonian and the Transformation of the Universal Museum.'' Amherst, MA: University of Massachusetts Press, 2013.

==External links==
{{sister project links|d=Q131626|c=Category:Smithsonian Institution|n=no|b=no|v=no|voy=no|m=no|mw=no|species=no|wikt=Smithsonian|s=Category:Smithsonian Institution}}
* {{official website}}
* [http://www.mnh.si.edu/onehundredyears/brief_history.htm A brief history of the U.S. National Museum/National Museum of Natural History] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160121200124/http://www.mnh.si.edu/onehundredyears/brief_history.htm |date=January 21, 2016 }}
* [https://www.si.edu/openaccess Smithsonian Open Access – nearly 3 million Free images now available] ([https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B5vC2kweCNk video]; 1:40)

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