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Arts & Culture

A page out of the diary of William H. Dall, one of the many documents being transcribed by the Smithsonian Transcription Center's small army of volunteers. At the ripe age of 21, Dall set off in 1865 to explore the Arctic on a Western Union Telegraph Expedition.

The Smithsonian Wants You! (To Help Transcribe Its Collections)

A massive digitization and transcription project calls for volunteers at the Smithsonian

The National Portrait Gallery is installing Michael Dressler's Time magazine cover photo of Robin Williams following his untimely death.

The National Portrait Gallery Memorializes Robin Williams

The National Portrait Gallery installed a photograph of Robin Williams today following his unexpected death

A bittersweet moment from our Grand Prize Winner.

Video Contest

Announcing the Winners of the 2014 Smithsonian In Motion Video Contest

Watch the best of our submissions

These Smart Bricks Mean the Time Has Finally Arrived: Adults Have Legos of Their Own

A construction company aims to build more efficiently with modular connecting bricks

The same week that Ella Jenkins turns 90, Smithsonian Folkways is releasing her 40th album.

At 90, Ella Jenkins, the First Lady of Children’s Music Has a New Album

Celebrate her birthday with her latest, a compilation of children’s songs from around the world

Customers shop at the Deering Oaks Farmers' Market in Portland, Maine.

Where is Your Closest Farmers’ Market?

Farmers’ markets are becoming more and more ubiquitous. Use this map to find the one nearest your home

Your Guide to Shopping at the Farmers’ Market and Keeping Your Purchases Fresh at Home

The summer is prime time for shopping at the farmers market, yet, making those finds last can be a challenge

For "Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb," Larry and the gang travel to the British Museum in London.

Washington, D.C.

Here’s the Trailer for the Final “Night at the Museum” Installment

Last time, “Night at the Museum” came to Smithsonian. Now Larry and company are headed to London.

A variety of neomexicanus, a varietal of hops native to the American Southwest.

In Search of the Great American Beer

Once considered unfit for brewing, wild American hops are making their solo debut on the beer market. Will it change the way we think of American beer?

Wile E. Coyote caught in his own trap

What’s Up, Doc? Check Out the Work of Famed Animator Chuck Jones

As part of the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service, Jones’ work will travel to 13 locations through 2019

Chris Raschka's new children's book tells the true story of Sun Ra, an eccentric jazz musician.

There Once was a Jazz Musician Who Came Here from Saturn

Author and Illustrator Chris Raschka wants his new children’s book to teach kids about the icons of jazz.

No wonder unagi is so popular - this picture looks good enough to eat!

How Will Japan Celebrate Summer Without Unagi

The freshwater eel is now endangered, but who is to blame and what are the best substitutes?

A still from one of DPLA's new gifs, based on a NASA film.

Online Archive Creates Awesome GIFS From Historical Photos

In partnership with Imgur, the Digital Public Library of America is reimagining classic photos as modern .gifs

Teamwork Builds Ships, ca. 1918, William Dodge Stevens

World War I: 100 Years Later

The Posters That Sold World War I to the American Public

A vehemently isolationist nation needed enticement to join the European war effort. These advertisements were part of the campaign to do just that

The Verrückt, which opened this summer at the Kansas City Schlitterbahn Waterpark, is the tallest waterslide in the world.

How Do You Build the World’s Tallest Water Slide?

From conceptualization to the first plunge, building the world’s tallest water slide takes more trial-and-error than you might believe

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Art Meets Science

Old Time Portraits of Parasites

Photographer Marcus DeSieno uses antiquated techniques to take pictures of parasites with a mix of citizen science and monster movie panache

Maureen Yancey donated her late son’s Akai MIDI Production Center 3000 Limited Edition (MPC) and his custom-made Minimoog Voyager synthesizer to the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture.

Breaking Ground

The Legacy of Hip-Hop Producer J Dilla Will Be Recognized

The late producer’s mother announced she is donating his synthesizer and beat machine to the African American History Museum

Craig Robinson, left, as Maceo Parker and Chadwick Boseman as James Brown in "Get on Up", the incredible life story of the Godfather of Soul, from director Tate Taylor.

The Star and Director of the New James Brown Movie on What it Took to Capture the Larger-Than-Life Musician

Chadwick Boseman and Tate Taylor told us about the making of “Get On Up,” in movie theaters next month.

Dirty Martini

Art Meets Science

What Does Your Favorite Drink Look Like Under A Microscope?

Check out these colorful images of crystallized alcoholic beverages

"Watermarks" earned first place in the contest. “The way water in this picture found its way back to the ocean reminded me of a peacock's tail spreading under the sun or a woman's hair blowing in the wind,” Sadri writes.

Art Meets Science

Who Knew Fungi and Fruit Fly Ovaries Could Be So Beautiful?

Princeton University’s annual science art contest shines a light on the research world, adding a video element this year

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