New Smithsonian Exhibition to Showcase Objects From All 50 States

National Museum of Natural History invites visitors to celebrate and reflect on national connections represented in the museum’s 148 million specimens and objects

This summer, a new exhibition at the National Museum of Natural History will bring the entire nation into a single gallery. Opening June 18, “From These Lands: Sharing Our Natural and Cultural Heritage” will bring together more than 600 specimens and cultural objects from all 50 states, the District of Columbia and five U.S. territories.  

Drawing from the museum’s sprawling collection of more than 148 million objects, the exhibition will showcase the remarkable range of American nature, geology and cultural traditions. Rarely seen specimens and cultural objects will bring the nation’s story to life, including a brilliant blue gemstone from California rarer than gold and a Northern bobwhite collected by a young Theodore Roosevelt in New York.

From ancient fossils and dazzling minerals to cherished cultural belongings and groundbreaking scientific discoveries, “From These Lands” will illuminate the many connections between people, places and the natural world that can help visitors understand the nation’s past, interpret the present and plan for the future. 

“As the country marks its 250th anniversary, ‘From These Lands’ presents an opportunity to celebrate the diversity of our landscapes, the depth of our history and the connections that link people and the natural world across borders,” said Kirk Johnson, the Sant Director of the National Museum of Natural History.  

Built around three major themes, the objects on view will weave regional stories into recurring themes that show how natural history collections reveal unexpected connections, inspire wonder, spark conversation and generate knowledge.  

Exploring natural history collections reveals connections 

“Natural history is everything — it is the people around us, the food we eat and the ground we walk on,” said Torben Rick, co-curator of the exhibition and curator of North American archaeology. “At its core, this exhibition is about connection.” 

“From These Lands” will explore how human cultures are shaped by their environment and, in turn, influence nature. Relationships between people and the natural world evolve together, illustrating how culture, environment and knowledge are woven into shared stories.

An intricately carved walrus ivory tusk created in collaboration with Cup’ig and Iñupiaq community members from Nunivak Island, Alaska, will illuminate how Arctic ecosystems and Indigenous cultures are deeply intertwined. For thousands of years, coastal communities in Alaska have relied on walruses for food as well as materials for boat hulls, drums, tools and crafts. Their ways of life recognize that the well-being of people and walruses are connected.

Other displays will explore the fishing practices of the Pamunkey Indian Tribe and African American oyster harvesting communities on the Chesapeake Bay, as well as the artistry and stewardship behind traditional Samoan bark cloth. Freshwater mussels from Iowa will tell the story of a once-thriving button-manufacturing industry, while yaupon holly — North America’s only caffeinated plant — will reveal layered histories, from Indigenous use to its role as a protest beverage during the Revolutionary War.

Natural history objects can inspire wonder, invite investigation and spark conversation 

“From These Lands,” will illustrate biodiversity across the United States through stories of adaptation, abundance and regional identity. A dazzling collection of 320 colorful beetles, cicadas, and butterflies will allow visitors to reflect on the diversity of life on Earth. Insects make up over two-thirds of all described species, with an estimated 91,000 species in the United States— and many more yet to be discovered. Nearby, visitors can explore ecosystems from across the nation, encountering everything from rugged pinecones to elusive Appalachian salamanders. 

Curiosity is at the heart of the exhibition, with objects that challenge visitors to look twice and ask, “What is this?” Some specimens blur the line between categories, like a fossilized crocodilian egg from Wyoming that is also a sparkling quartz geode. Others offer a glimpse into deep time, including an extraordinary amphibian bone bed from New Mexico and a petrified tree from Arizona. 

Throughout the gallery, the exhibition reveals dramatic changes in Earth’s landscapes, shaped over hundreds of millions of years as continents slowly drifted into place. Fossils of iridescent ammonites, ancient corals and sea stars are echoes of the ancient ocean, reminding visitors that much of today’s United States was once underwater. 

“When you look at the natural history of the United States, you’re seeing a story that stretches back hundreds of millions of years,” said Stewart Edie, co-curator of the exhibition and curator of fossil mollusks in the museum’s Department of Paleobiology. “The fossils and specimens in this exhibition show how life and landscapes have changed through deep time.” 

The museum’s collections are actively used and constantly growing 

Behind every object in “From These Lands” is an evolving story. The museum’s vast collections continue to generate new knowledge about the nation’s past, present and future. One remarkable case will display a forgotten fossil tooth from California, recently rediscovered in a collection drawer. The tooth revealed that an ancient hippo-like mammal was millions of years older than previously thought, a powerful reminder that even long-studied collections can hold hidden breakthroughs. 

Spanning centuries, the museum’s collections help scientists trace environmental change over time. Historic and modern specimens reveal shifting ecosystems, documenting species that have declined, disappeared or made remarkable recoveries. Many of the museum’s 600,000 bird specimens, collected more than a 100 years ago, capture a rich snapshot of past biodiversity across the United States. In “From These Lands,” a striking display of historic birds brings this legacy to life. Still growing, the collection remains a dynamic scientific resource, helping researchers track environmental change and preserve an invaluable record of evolving ecosystems. 

“From These Lands” also brings more recent stories of change into focus. From the recovery of bison and beaver populations to the revitalization of wild rice, the exhibition will highlight how science and community leadership can work hand in hand to restore ecosystems and cultural connections. Visitors can explore efforts to reintroduce sea otters along the Oregon coast, where a coalition of Tribal, nonprofit and conservation leaders is working to restore these plush predators to their historic habitat. Even tiny clues, like feather fragments recovered after airplane strikes, can help scientists identify bird species and reduce aviation risks. Together, these stories show how museum collections are not just records of the past but are also essential tools for understanding and shaping the future.

Coming Soon 

When it opens, "From These Lands” will feature interactive multimedia experiences that bring the exhibition’s themes to life. “Connected by Nature,” a series of animated maps, shows how the United States is linked through shared landscapes, while a hands-on state symbols activity lets visitors create and send digital postcards inspired by official state icons. 

A lineup of public programs will run throughout the year, including family activities, talks and hands-on events. A companion book, multilingual digital resources and an online version of the exhibition will further extend the experience beyond the gallery. 

The exhibition is made possible through the lead sponsorship of Esri, with major support from The Bill and Dianne Ryan Family, Amazon, MidFirst Bank and a generous group of donors sponsoring their states. See the full list of supporters on the exhibition’s webpage. 

Opening June 18, “From These Lands” will remain on view through December 2029. Stay tuned as Smithsonian Voices highlights objects from the exhibition throughout the rest of the year as part of the Specimen Spotlight series. 

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Emma Saaty | Read More

Emma Saaty is a Science Communications Specialist at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History.  She brings science to the public by covering natural history research for Smithsonian Magazine's, Smithsonian Voices.  Additionally, she tracks media coverage and coordinates filming activities for the museum’s Office of Communications and Public Affairs.  Emma recently completed her Bachelor of Science in Biological Anthropology with a minor in Journalism at George Washington University where she conducted research on Virunga mountain gorillas with GW’s Life History and Skeletal Biology laboratory.  You can find her here.