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National Museum of Natural History

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Farewell to Baird Auditorium: A Century of Science, Culture and Creativity

As Baird Auditorium closes for renovation, NMNH reflects on its century-long legacy and the architectural marvels that make it one of D.C.’s most iconic public spaces

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This February, Meet the Women Transforming Science at the National Museum of Natural History

Mark your calendar for the Mother Tongue Film Festival and events covering everything from odd oceanic couples to resilient deer

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Check Out These Wondrous Objects on Display Before They Return to the Museum’s Collection

From whale earwax to a shimmering ammonite shell, the “Objects of Wonder” exhibition spotlights some of the museum’s most intriguing specimens

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Inclusive Innovations: An Accessible Natural History Experience

To celebrate the 34th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, discover four creative museum experiences that enhance accessibility for all visitors

Pink flowers bloom in front of a brick castle building across a field of green grass.

Enjoy Cherry Blossoms and More Natural History Programs this March

Enjoy environmental film screenings, gain an appreciation for spiders and more this month at the National Museum of Natural History

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Celebrate Valentine’s Day With the Ocean’s Oddest Couples and More Natural History Programs This February

Join the National Museum of Natural History for programs on asteroid samples, fossils and chimpanzees

A flower with bright pink petals and a yellow interior blooms on the surface of a water near several green and brown lily pads.

New Smithsonian Exhibition Explores the Intersection of People and Nature

See the historic giant hornet ‘nest zero’ and explore how communities near and far interact with nature in ‘Our Places’

A giant replica of the Aedes mosquito, a known vector for the disease yellow fever, has been waiting for visitors to return the National Museum of Natural History’s “Outbreak: Epidemics in a Connected World” exhibit. (James Di Loreto, Smithsonian)

Don’t Miss These Objects When the Smithsonian's Natural History Museum Reopens

Whether you're a seasoned visitor or a newbie to the natural history museum, there are plenty of things for you to explore.

The Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History welcomes its new Head of Education, Outreach and Visitor Experience, Carla Easter. (James Di Loreto, Smithsonian Institution)

Meet the Smithsonian Natural History Museum's New Head of Education, Outreach and Visitor Experience

Carla Easter to champion widespread community engagement and accessible scientific outreach as the museum’s new Broh-Kahn Weil Director of Education.

“Vai” is one of more than 20 films celebrating language and cultural diversity at the Smithsonian’s fifth annual Mother Tongue Film Festival. (Photo courtesy of MPI Media)

See Indigenous Films at the Mother Tongue Film Festival

Don't miss these films at the Smithsonian's fifth annual Mother Tongue Film Festival.

This African Bush Elephant is just the first of many photogenic sites for visitors at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History. (James Di Loreto, Smithsonian Institution)

How to Take the Perfect Selfie at the Smithsonian

This #MuseumSelfieDay, take the perfect selfie at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History.

Museum staff, Laura Donnelly-Smith and Sally Love, try out the new audio description app in the “Hall of Fossils – Deep Time.” (Lucia RM Martino, Smithsonian Institution)

New App Takes Smithsonian Visitors Beyond Visuals

A new audio description app welcomes visitors to more autonomously explore the fossil hall.

Free post cards were given to service members when they visited the US National Museum (now the National Museum of Natural History) in the 1940s. (Smithsonian Institution Archives, Image # SIA2013-07711)

How WWII Service Members Helped Shape the Smithsonian’s New Fossil Hall

World War II service members played an important role in the shift toward audience-centric storytelling in the new "David H. Koch Hall of Fossils - Deep Time."

On opening day of the new fossil hall, visitors flocked to the windows of the FossiLab to see fossil preparation in action. (James D. Tiller, Smithsonian Institution)

Smithsonian Puts Backstage Fossil Preparation Center Stage in its New Fossil Hall

Watch a team of volunteers prepare real fossils in the Smithsonian's new fossil hall.

The Smithsonian’s new fossil hall includes myriad stories and details – big and small – about Earth’s 4.6-billion-year history. (Smithsonian Institution)

Five Things You Shouldn’t Miss in the New Fossil Hall

Here's what the experts behind "Deep Time" don't want you to miss.

Miniature dinosaurs are staged in a scene from 150 million years ago while guests peruse another display showing the same species at full-size. (Smithsonian Institution)

The Experts Behind the New Fossil Hall Wrap Their Minds Around ‘Deep Time’

The team behind the Smithsonian's new dinosaur and fossil hall reflect on what "deep time" means to them.

Education Specialist Gale Robertson helps museum visitors test prototypes of hands-on activities that will be in “The David H. Koch Hall of Fossils—Deep Time” when it opens June 8 at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History. (Smithsonian Institution)

Try These Hands-on Activities in the Smithsonian’s New Fossil Hall

Hands-on activities at the Smithsonian teach visitors about the history of life on Earth and what it means to us today.

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