National Museum of Natural History

The Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History has hundreds of scientists, researchers, curators and collection managers who connect people everywhere to life’s unfolding story. Here is a sampling of the unique voices that make up the chorus of ideas at the museum.

Although pumpkins and other gourds have become staples at Thanksgiving, they were not the only original crops in the Americas. Other crops domesticated around the same time, like sumpweed, little barley and goosefoot, are now gone from today’s palates. (Smithsonian)

Our Thanksgiving Menu has Lost a Few Crops

November 24th, 2020, 6:00AM

/ BY Abigail Eisenstadt

Yesmarie De La Flor answers your questions about what it’s like being a marine scientist in a National Museum of Natural History program streaming on Dec. 10. (Michelle Donahue, Smithsonian)

Seven Free Natural History Programs Streaming in December

November 23rd, 2020, 9:08AM

/ BY Anna Torres

The National Museum of Natural History’s entomology collection has many Asian giant hornets. Recently, the collection grew with new specimens from an eradicated nest in Washington State. (Matthew Buffington, USDA-ARS)

Family Members Follow Original Asian Giant Hornet to Smithsonian

November 17th, 2020, 6:00AM

/ BY Abigail Eisenstadt

The Evolution of Terrestrial Ecosystems working group combines expertise from paleontologists and ecologists to improve our understanding of ancient and modern ecosystems. (Mary Parrish, Smithsonian)

Interdisciplinary Study Shows How Species Interactions Affect Evolution

November 16th, 2020, 6:00AM

/ BY Erin Malsbury

The Hope Diamond came to the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History in 1958. Since then, museum scientists have uncovered a lot about the diamond’s intriguing past. (Dane A. Penland, Smithsonian)

Get to Know the Hope Diamond’s Keeper

November 12th, 2020, 2:29PM

/ BY Abigail Eisenstadt

The Smithsonian’s Division of Birds provided about 40% of the tissue samples for the new bird genomes in a landmark study. (James Di Loreto, Smithsonian)

Landmark Study Shares Smithsonian Bird DNA Collected Over Three Decades

November 11th, 2020, 11:00AM

/ BY Erin Malsbury

This mummified steppe bison was donated to the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History in the 1970s. Right now, museum audiences can see it online during a virtual tour. (Michelle Pinsdorf, Smithsonian)

Bison Mummies Help Scientists Ruminate on Ancient Climate

November 2nd, 2020, 6:00AM

/ BY Abigail Eisenstadt

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