Celebrate the Comeback of the American Bison This Spring at the National Museum of Natural History

Mark your calendar for all things bison as the museum celebrates the nation’s 250th anniversary with a spotlight on the national mammal

As we spring into warmer weather, the National Museum of Natural History has events for visitors of all ages to celebrate the American Bison, the star of the upcoming exhibition “Bison: Standing Strong,” opening May 7. From various hands-on learning opportunities to a documentary screening, there’s something for everyone. Here are a few events to mark on your calendar.

Chat with educators about bison specimens
April 26, 11 A.M. to 12 P.M. ET

Did you know that bison can run at speeds up to 30 miles per hour, clear six-foot-high fences in a single leap and withstand temperatures as cold as -40 degrees Fahrenheit? Those are just a few of the things that make bison such incredible animals. Museum visitors will have a chance to learn more about the national mammal during a cart chat in the museum’s Hall of Mammals. Museum educators will be on hand to answer any bison questions and guests will have the opportunity to get hands-on experience with bison-themed objects and specimens from the museum’s collection.

Celebrate the opening day of the new bison exhibit
May 7, 10:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. ET

Bison once roamed the continent in the tens of millions, but overhunting, habitat destruction and U.S. policies to destroy Native American resources drove the species nearly to extinction. A pioneering conservation effort, spearheaded in part by the Smithsonian, helped bring bison back from the brink of extinction.

To explore this uniquely American tale, the museum is opening “Bison: Standing Strong,” an exhibit following the rise, fall and resilience of the national mammal. Visit the exhibit on the second floor of the museum on this special opening day for hands-on activities, to hear stories from experts and to explore this remarkable species and its enduring connection to Indigenous knowledge, museum science and much more.

Join a bison-themed family play date
May 12, 10:30 A.M. to 12 P.M. ET

Tuesdays are the day for special family play dates at the museum, and on Tuesday, May 12th, the spotlight is on bison. Young learners and bison-lovers of all ages can join educators in the Kenneth E. Behring Family Hall of Mammals to observe bison specimens, learn about how bison help their ecosystem and explore how bison have been portrayed in art over the centuries.

Watch a film about an Indigenous effort to bring back wild buffalo
May 28, 6:30 P.M. to 8:30 P.M. ET

Bison are an important part of identity, culture and spirituality for the Blackfeet People. However, during the 19th century, the U.S. military slaughtered bison in massive numbers in an effort to control and deprive Native Americans. Bring Them Home/Aiskótáhkapiyaaya chronicles a decades-long initiative by members of the Blackfoot Confederacy to bring back wild buffalo (Blackfeet: iinnii) to the Blackfeet Reservation. The film demonstrates the importance of Indigenous-led conservation efforts and follows Blackfeet community leaders as they face setbacks from cattle ranchers, internal politics and the legacy of colonialism. Visit the Q?rius space for a screening of this award-winning film followed by a conversation and Q&A with experts from the film team and museum. Check back at the museum’s website or sign up for the e-newsletter to catch the registration link when it becomes available.

Ashley D'Souza | Read More

Ashley D’Souza is a science writing intern at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History, where they cover natural history research and collections news for the museum’s blog, Smithsonian Voices. Ashley is currently completing their master’s degree in science writing at MIT, where they write about any and all things wildlife. They also run the blog and YouTube channel, Confessions of a Bird Freak. In their free time, Ashley can be found wandering through the woods with their camera and binoculars and talking to trees and birds. See more of Ashley’s work at https://ashleydsouza.contently.com/ and https://confessionsofabirdfreak.com/.