Museums
Diamonds Unearthed
In the first installment of a multi-part series, Smithsonian diamond expert Jeffrey Post, curator of the National Gem and Mineral Collection, explains how the rare crystals form
December 2006 |
By Cate Lineberry
Q&A: Lucy Lawless
Lucy Lawless, star of Xena: Warrior Princess, which aired from 1995 to 2001, has given her signature costume to the Museum of American History
November 2006 |
By Katy June-Friesen
Steve Fossett
On March 3, 2005, after 67 hours aboard his Virgin Atlantic GlobalFlyer, he became the first person to fly alone around the world nonstop.
September 2006 |
By Katy June-Friesen
Camelot
In the mid-1800's, "ships of the desert" reported for duty in the Southwest.
July 2006 |
By Owen Edwards
Q&A: Cheryl Henson
Museum will exhibit Jim Henson's first puppets and such classics as Kermit the Frog. Cheryl Henson, Henson's daughter and a muppet designer, spoke with Smithsonian's Jennifer Drapkin.
July 2006 |
By Jennifer Drapkin
Grand Reopening: Speaking of Art
Two museums return home and invite visitors to engage in "conversations."
July 2006 |
By Arthur Lubow
Learning from Tai Shan
The giant panda born at Washington, D.C.'s National Zoo has charmed animal lovers. Now he's teaching scientists more than they had expected
June 2006 |
By Laura Tangley
Forging its Own Future
Dedicated metalsmiths help a Memphis museum revive a lost American art form
May 2006 |
By Matt Dellinger
The Best and Brightest
A small museum illuminates Las Vegas' past by restoring the city's classic neon signs
March 2006 |
By Lauren Wilcox
Christmas Cards
When orbiting pranksters Wally Schirra and Tom Stafford launched into "Jingle Bells," Mission Control almost lost control
December 2005 |
By Owen Edwards
John Lennon's First Album
A recently acquired stamp collection opens a new page on the teenage Beatle-to-be
September 2005 |
By Owen Edwards
Casualty of War
A sculptor's provacative memorial acknowledges the high cost of conflict
May 2005 |
By Owen Edwards
Shore Bird
Architect Santiago Calatrava created an urban landmark in the guise of an addition for the Milwaukee Art Museum
April 2005 |
By Terah U. DeJong
Romance And The Stone
A rare Burmese ruby memorializes a philanthropic woman
February 2005 |
By Owen Edwards
Doris Duke's Islamic Art Retreat
The Honolulu hideaway built by "the richest girl in the world" is now a museum showcasing her unique collection of Islamic art
March 2004 |
By Doug Stewart
Prize Fight
Raymond Damadian refuses to take his failure to win a Nobel Prize, for a prototype MRI machine, lying down
December 2003 |
By Rick Weiss
A Century's Roar and Buzz
Thanks to an immigrant's generosity, the Steven Udvar-Hazy Center opens its massive doors to the public
December 2003 |
By Lawrence M. Small
James Smithson's legacy
The Stranger and the Statesman: James Smithson, John Quincy Adams, and the Making of America's Greatest Museum
September 2003 |
By Smithsonian magazine
