In its early days, the Smithsonian faced the Civil War, a disastrous fire and a vastly uncertain future
Looking at the Smithsonian from the inside: A ‘random sample’ of anthropologists, biologists and geologists explain why it is an inimitable place to work
Houses Built to Move the Spirit—and Save Trees
The innovative dwellings designed by Seattle architect James Cutler are rooted in the wooded contours of the land they complement
The Life or Death of the Salton Sea?
This huge California lake was a haven for birds and fish, and aimed to be a paradise for man but toxic chemicals and salt may be doing it in
Making History by Rising to New Heights
The people of Valmeyer, Illinois, awash in water three years ago, have built a whole new hometown, this time above the flood line
The Nation’s Treasures Take to the Highways for a 12-City Tour
The assignment: pick the best of 140 million items, pack them (many are priceless and irreplaceable) and truck them across the USA
The Suyá Sing and Dance and Fight For a Culture in Peril
For 25 years, anthropologist Tony Seeger has documented the music of Brazil’s Suyá and he now leads the effort to protect their rights
A New Vision for a Museum on the Mall
Architect Douglas Cardinal hopes to realize his plan for making the National Museum of the American Indian into a Washington landmark
For These Precious Scrolls, Aged Glue and ‘Damage Maps’
Not to mention patience, as 40 of them go from the Freer Gallery to six workshops in Japan to undergo a complete overhaul
A Curator Hunts Down the American Photography Collection of Her Dreams
A curator hunts down the American photography collection of her dreams
These People Belong In An Institution!
The Smithsonian Institution, of course. A search of the archives has produced these lighter looks at life behind the scenes
Among the Smithsonian’s greatest legacies has been its long line of directors with vision and drive
When not overseeing a collection of 10,000 rifles, swords and harquebuses, Harry Hunter and Sarah Rittgers like to go out and hit a few bullseyes
Let the Bones Talk’ Is the Watchword for Scientist-Sleuths
When the FBI moved in across the street 60 years ago, Smithsonian anthropologists began a tradition of helping to solve crimes
Creatures Wild and Wonderful Thrive at a Living Lab in Kenya
The Mpala Research Centre offers a pristine environment for collaborative study on how humans and wildlife can coexist in the future
Clyde Roper Can’t Wait to Be Attacked by a Giant Squid
After studying (and eating) smaller squid for years, the Smithsonian’s cephalopod man is now ready to face the biggest calamari of all
How Taxonomy Helps Us Make Sense Out of the Natural World
We all have a need to classify plants and animals, which is what the National Museum of Natural History does on a grand scale
Package Design: the Art of Selling, All Wrapped Up
When competition for customers’ attention gets ferocious, that bottle, carton or can is a lot more than just another pretty face
America’s Favorite Game Is the One Everybody Can Play
It doesn’t get hyped big-time like other sports, but at the grass-roots level, where it thrives, softball is in a league of its own
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