https://www.smithsonianmag.com/rss/tag/museums/RSS feed for MuseumsenThu, 23 Jul 2026 12:00:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/before-cultural-and-natural-wonders-earn-unesco-world-heritage-status-they-are-put-on-a-tentative-list-here-are-five-nominees-worth-visiting-now-180989155/Featuring more than 1,800 sites from 181 countries and territories, UNESCO’s tentative list is a treasure trove of lesser-known marvelsThu, 23 Jul 2026 12:00:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/before-cultural-and-natural-wonders-earn-unesco-world-heritage-status-they-are-put-on-a-tentative-list-here-are-five-nominees-worth-visiting-now-180989155/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/their-names-were-lost-to-history-but-now-you-can-see-what-their-faces-may-have-looked-like-when-they-lived-in-a-roman-era-city-nearly-2000-years-ago-180989179/A new exhibition in Budapest features 16 facial reconstructions based on skulls excavated from the ancient city of Aquincum. Curators don't know the details of their lives, but they've invented backstories to fill in the gapsThu, 23 Jul 2026 11:00:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/their-names-were-lost-to-history-but-now-you-can-see-what-their-faces-may-have-looked-like-when-they-lived-in-a-roman-era-city-nearly-2000-years-ago-180989179/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/kids-can-try-out-the-oliver-twist-lifestyle-at-this-english-museum-revealing-conditions-for-poor-people-in-a-victorian-workhouse-180989175/After a restoration, the Ripon Workhouse Museum reopened to the public, showcasing the sights, sounds and rules of England’s 19th-century “solution to poverty”Wed, 22 Jul 2026 20:10:27 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/kids-can-try-out-the-oliver-twist-lifestyle-at-this-english-museum-revealing-conditions-for-poor-people-in-a-victorian-workhouse-180989175/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/british-intelligence-turned-this-mansion-into-a-bugged-spy-trap-for-nazi-prisoners-of-war-during-world-war-ii-180989166/Visitors can now tour the house, where German generals relaxed and gabbed upstairs while Jewish refugees working as spies and translators for the British government listened in from the basementWed, 22 Jul 2026 00:59:49 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/british-intelligence-turned-this-mansion-into-a-bugged-spy-trap-for-nazi-prisoners-of-war-during-world-war-ii-180989166/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/buckingham-palaces-royal-picture-gallery-revives-the-salon-style-hang-doubling-the-number-of-masterpieces-on-view-180989135/Charles III reportedly had a say in the stylistic switch, which rearranged and added artworks by the likes of Rembrandt, Rubens, Vermeer and Van DyckThu, 16 Jul 2026 18:13:06 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/buckingham-palaces-royal-picture-gallery-revives-the-salon-style-hang-doubling-the-number-of-masterpieces-on-view-180989135/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/once-the-worlds-biggest-passenger-ship-this-metal-marvel-the-ss-great-britain-that-crossed-the-atlantic-and-took-immigrants-to-australia-has-a-new-museum-home-180989130/A new museum dedicated to stories surrounding the S.S. "Great Britain" is about to open in Bristol, where the ship is permanently dry-dockedWed, 15 Jul 2026 20:34:22 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/once-the-worlds-biggest-passenger-ship-this-metal-marvel-the-ss-great-britain-that-crossed-the-atlantic-and-took-immigrants-to-australia-has-a-new-museum-home-180989130/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/in-the-latest-brazen-heist-jewelry-and-artworks-worth-5-million-were-stolen-from-famed-french-designer-lalique-museum-180989105/A trio of burglars stole 27 pieces, including a dragonfly pendant, from the Lalique Museum in eastern FranceFri, 10 Jul 2026 17:57:03 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/in-the-latest-brazen-heist-jewelry-and-artworks-worth-5-million-were-stolen-from-famed-french-designer-lalique-museum-180989105/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/why-did-this-dutch-museum-cover-the-floor-with-an-800-pound-installation-of-creamy-peanut-butter-180989097/"Pindakaasvloer," or "peanut butter floor," highlights the absurd sense of humor that artist Wim T. Schippers captured in his artwork before he died last monthThu, 09 Jul 2026 18:15:35 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/why-did-this-dutch-museum-cover-the-floor-with-an-800-pound-installation-of-creamy-peanut-butter-180989097/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/can-you-guess-the-origins-of-papyrus-fragments-or-painted-ceramics-a-college-student-turned-the-mets-open-access-database-into-an-online-game-180989080/If you consider yourself an art history buff, test your smarts with Anthropeum. The game pulls ten images from the Met's open-access archive and challenges players to identify each artifact's time and place of originTue, 07 Jul 2026 17:09:01 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/can-you-guess-the-origins-of-papyrus-fragments-or-painted-ceramics-a-college-student-turned-the-mets-open-access-database-into-an-online-game-180989080/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/see-the-space-shuttle-endeavour-in-a-unique-vertical-display-before-its-new-exhibition-launches-at-the-california-science-center-180989073/This November, visitors to the new Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center in Los Angeles will get to see the "ready-to-launch" "Endeavour" complete with rocket boosters and a fuel tankMon, 06 Jul 2026 19:21:54 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/see-the-space-shuttle-endeavour-in-a-unique-vertical-display-before-its-new-exhibition-launches-at-the-california-science-center-180989073/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/an-ai-generated-alexander-hamilton-chats-about-economics-at-the-museum-of-american-finance-opening-this-weekend-in-boston-180989071/The museum, which started in New York and hasn't had a permanent exhibition space in several years, depicts the history and influence of U.S. financial institutionsThu, 02 Jul 2026 21:28:51 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/an-ai-generated-alexander-hamilton-chats-about-economics-at-the-museum-of-american-finance-opening-this-weekend-in-boston-180989071/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/puzzled-by-mark-rothkos-captivating-color-field-paintings-look-to-the-renaissance-masters-who-inspired-him-180989068/During trips to Europe, the American painter developed a fascination with how 15th- and 16th-century artists and architects had designed their work to evoke specific feelingsThu, 02 Jul 2026 19:01:07 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/puzzled-by-mark-rothkos-captivating-color-field-paintings-look-to-the-renaissance-masters-who-inspired-him-180989068/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/to-recreate-one-of-the-american-revolutions-most-famous-paintings-this-artist-painstakingly-crafted-miniature-wax-figures-of-the-nations-founders-180989026/Bartlett M. Frost’s diorama is modeled after John Trumbull's depiction of the presentation of the Declaration of Independence. Newly conserved, the work is now on view at the National Portrait GalleryThu, 02 Jul 2026 11:45:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/to-recreate-one-of-the-american-revolutions-most-famous-paintings-this-artist-painstakingly-crafted-miniature-wax-figures-of-the-nations-founders-180989026/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/alexander-hamiltons-first-national-bank-revolutionized-the-us-economy-after-sitting-shuttered-for-years-the-philadelphia-landmark-reopened-as-a-museum-180989056/A controversial idea right after the American Revolution, the First Bank of the United States proved prescient. Visitors can now check out its historic home after a $43 million makeoverWed, 01 Jul 2026 21:30:37 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/alexander-hamiltons-first-national-bank-revolutionized-the-us-economy-after-sitting-shuttered-for-years-the-philadelphia-landmark-reopened-as-a-museum-180989056/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/see-these-ancient-etruscan-frescoes-that-italy-bought-for-millions-and-put-on-public-display-in-rome-180989046/Found in a burial chamber, the artworks depict battles between ancient heroes in the Mediterranean worldTue, 30 Jun 2026 20:52:03 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/see-these-ancient-etruscan-frescoes-that-italy-bought-for-millions-and-put-on-public-display-in-rome-180989046/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/after-the-founders-declared-independence-printers-quickly-translated-the-text-for-german-speaking-americans-180989039/The document, printed in a gothic typeface, was translated in Philadelphia. One of two surviving copies is going on display in Berlin ahead of America's 250th birthdayMon, 29 Jun 2026 22:19:22 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/after-the-founders-declared-independence-printers-quickly-translated-the-text-for-german-speaking-americans-180989039/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/genghis-khan-is-remembered-for-his-vast-empire-and-fearsome-warriors-this-exhibition-explores-his-cultural-legacy-180989040/The Royal Armouries Museum will show nearly 250 rare artifacts—from saddles to early paper money—that reveal a side of the Mongol Empire that's often neglectedMon, 29 Jun 2026 20:19:27 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/genghis-khan-is-remembered-for-his-vast-empire-and-fearsome-warriors-this-exhibition-explores-his-cultural-legacy-180989040/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/years-in-the-making-national-geographics-museum-of-exploration-is-here-to-take-you-on-an-adventure-180989034/The renovated space highlights the hallmarks of the iconic 138-year-old brand, from wildlife photography to the study of anthropologyFri, 26 Jun 2026 20:03:24 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/years-in-the-making-national-geographics-museum-of-exploration-is-here-to-take-you-on-an-adventure-180989034/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/too-hot-for-art-some-paris-museums-and-landmarks-close-or-reduce-hours-amid-a-record-heat-wave-in-europe-180989029/Meanwhile, other institutions offer their air-conditioned spaces as a way for residents and tourists to beat the heatFri, 26 Jun 2026 19:46:30 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/too-hot-for-art-some-paris-museums-and-landmarks-close-or-reduce-hours-amid-a-record-heat-wave-in-europe-180989029/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/this-building-hosted-lincolns-inaugural-ball-and-displayed-the-declaration-of-independence-today-its-home-to-two-world-class-art-museums-180988990/The Old Patent Office Building now houses the Smithsonian American Art Museum and the National Portrait Gallery. A new exhibition spotlights the structure's rich history of encouraging innovationThu, 25 Jun 2026 14:00:05 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/this-building-hosted-lincolns-inaugural-ball-and-displayed-the-declaration-of-independence-today-its-home-to-two-world-class-art-museums-180988990/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/a-letter-signed-by-george-washington-that-helped-pave-the-way-for-american-independence-is-going-on-display-in-london-180989004/Washington dictated and signed the letter in October 1781 to formally accept the British surrender at Yorktown, writing of his “ardent desire to spare the further effusion of blood”Tue, 23 Jun 2026 21:27:05 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/a-letter-signed-by-george-washington-that-helped-pave-the-way-for-american-independence-is-going-on-display-in-london-180989004/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/this-photography-studio-hooks-brothers-captured-the-beauty-of-black-life-in-the-south-soon-its-archive-once-hidden-away-will-have-a-new-museum-home-180988982/The Hooks brothers documented life and joy in Memphis during the 20th century. Their images will be put on public view when the Memphis Art Museum opensThu, 18 Jun 2026 19:15:23 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/this-photography-studio-hooks-brothers-captured-the-beauty-of-black-life-in-the-south-soon-its-archive-once-hidden-away-will-have-a-new-museum-home-180988982/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/heres-how-the-obama-presidential-center-is-different-from-other-presidents-museums-180988974/More than a library and archives, the new Chicago institution is a place for the community to gather, talk and play togetherThu, 18 Jun 2026 12:00:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/heres-how-the-obama-presidential-center-is-different-from-other-presidents-museums-180988974/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/you-can-now-see-betsy-ross-sewing-table-in-philadelphia-thanks-to-a-flag-day-donation-from-her-great-great-great-great-grandson-180988963/The origins of the Stars and Stripes are murky, but generations of Americans have admired stories about Ross creating the first American flagTue, 16 Jun 2026 10:00:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/you-can-now-see-betsy-ross-sewing-table-in-philadelphia-thanks-to-a-flag-day-donation-from-her-great-great-great-great-grandson-180988963/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/a-museum-of-american-music-headlined-by-bruce-springsteen-opens-in-new-jersey-with-instruments-lyrics-and-clothes-from-rock-stars-and-pop-legends-180988958/The Bruce Springsteen Center for American Music at Monmouth University, which houses the archives of its namesake Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee, welcomed its first visitorsMon, 15 Jun 2026 21:13:43 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/a-museum-of-american-music-headlined-by-bruce-springsteen-opens-in-new-jersey-with-instruments-lyrics-and-clothes-from-rock-stars-and-pop-legends-180988958/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/the-events-that-took-place-in-this-selma-alabama-home-were-key-to-the-civil-rights-movement-and-you-can-now-visit-it-180988944/The Jackson family opened their home to civil rights leaders planning the Selma-to-Montgomery march, which led to the passage of the 1965 Voting Rights Act. The entire house was recently moved to Greenfield Village at The Henry Ford, in Dearborn, MichiganFri, 12 Jun 2026 13:35:42 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/the-events-that-took-place-in-this-selma-alabama-home-were-key-to-the-civil-rights-movement-and-you-can-now-visit-it-180988944/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/see-visions-of-the-past-and-future-in-this-new-york-city-exhibition-on-the-renaissance-roots-of-tarot-cards-180988940/The Morgan Library & Museum traces the history of beautifully illustrated tarot cards from their origins as a card game to modern occult fascinationThu, 11 Jun 2026 18:52:58 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/see-visions-of-the-past-and-future-in-this-new-york-city-exhibition-on-the-renaissance-roots-of-tarot-cards-180988940/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/see-the-human-body-morph-into-musical-instruments-from-around-the-world-at-a-new-exhibition-at-the-metropolitan-museum-of-art-180988931/A belly turns into a drum, hands mold into percussion tools and a face adorns a brass bell in this anatomical art history showWed, 10 Jun 2026 19:41:08 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/see-the-human-body-morph-into-musical-instruments-from-around-the-world-at-a-new-exhibition-at-the-metropolitan-museum-of-art-180988931/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/this-rare-intricate-brooch-represents-the-roman-empires-long-disjointed-attempt-to-conquer-scotland-180988923/The "miniature masterpiece" will go on display during an upcoming exhibition focused on the legacy Rome left in the highlands the empire dubbed CaledoniaTue, 09 Jun 2026 19:55:13 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/this-rare-intricate-brooch-represents-the-roman-empires-long-disjointed-attempt-to-conquer-scotland-180988923/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/catch-a-surprising-glimpse-at-wwii-leader-winston-churchills-pastime-painting-at-the-first-major-british-retrospective-since-his-death-180988905/More than 50 canvases on view in London detail the prime minister’s quieter moments away from wars, speeches and politicsFri, 05 Jun 2026 17:49:49 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/catch-a-surprising-glimpse-at-wwii-leader-winston-churchills-pastime-painting-at-the-first-major-british-retrospective-since-his-death-180988905/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/see-the-rescued-and-restored-alice-in-wonderland-mural-painted-for-sick-children-at-a-new-york-hospital-180988898/Abram Champanier’s "Alice of Wonderland Visiting New York" was a commission from the Federal Art Project, a New Deal program that championed American art in public spacesThu, 04 Jun 2026 20:24:32 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/see-the-rescued-and-restored-alice-in-wonderland-mural-painted-for-sick-children-at-a-new-york-hospital-180988898/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/during-the-revolution-american-women-fought-for-freedom-spied-on-the-british-cared-for-the-sick-and-fell-in-love-a-new-exhibition-reveals-their-rich-wartime-stories-180988887/Now on view at the New York Historical, "Revolutionary Women" spotlights figures with connections to the state, including a Jewish chocolatier, a Mohawk leader and a woman who disguised herself as a man to enlist in the Continental ArmyThu, 04 Jun 2026 12:30:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/during-the-revolution-american-women-fought-for-freedom-spied-on-the-british-cared-for-the-sick-and-fell-in-love-a-new-exhibition-reveals-their-rich-wartime-stories-180988887/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/someone-stole-a-banana-duct-taped-to-the-wall-of-a-french-museum-one-of-its-twins-fetched-more-than-6-million-at-auction-180988878/This isn't the first time the fruit at the center of the infamous "Comedian" art piece has been stolen or eatenTue, 02 Jun 2026 17:43:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/someone-stole-a-banana-duct-taped-to-the-wall-of-a-french-museum-one-of-its-twins-fetched-more-than-6-million-at-auction-180988878/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/korean-and-french-culture-are-set-to-rendezvous-at-a-new-museum-in-seoul-for-modern-and-contemporary-art-180988864/The Centre Pompidou Hanwha, the newest member of a growing global network of art museums, will debut with an exhibition on European cubism and Korean artSun, 31 May 2026 19:01:41 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/korean-and-french-culture-are-set-to-rendezvous-at-a-new-museum-in-seoul-for-modern-and-contemporary-art-180988864/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/using-colorful-kibble-artists-turn-mona-lisa-the-scream-and-the-kiss-into-museum-masterpieces-that-mans-best-friend-can-appreciate-180988860/Sisters from New Jersey spent two months recreating famous artworks while also making sure their dog didn’t get into the edible art suppliesFri, 29 May 2026 18:16:59 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/using-colorful-kibble-artists-turn-mona-lisa-the-scream-and-the-kiss-into-museum-masterpieces-that-mans-best-friend-can-appreciate-180988860/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/leonora-carrington-is-no-mere-muse-this-influential-surrealist-artist-and-feminist-gets-her-due-in-a-new-biopic-and-art-exhibitions-180988844/Leonora Carrington's life and work are celebrated with the new film "Leonora in the Morning Light." Meanwhile, an exhibition at the Freud Museum showcases for the first time artwork she created inside a psychiatric hospitalThu, 28 May 2026 19:26:51 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/leonora-carrington-is-no-mere-muse-this-influential-surrealist-artist-and-feminist-gets-her-due-in-a-new-biopic-and-art-exhibitions-180988844/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/an-illuminating-new-museum-hidden-beneath-the-lincoln-memorial-is-set-to-open-to-the-public-heres-what-you-can-expect-180988831/Tickets for the Lincoln Memorial undercroft museum are now available to reserve. When the attraction opens on June 25, visitors will get to see the D.C. landmark from a whole new perspectiveWed, 27 May 2026 17:21:44 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/an-illuminating-new-museum-hidden-beneath-the-lincoln-memorial-is-set-to-open-to-the-public-heres-what-you-can-expect-180988831/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/whistler-didnt-mean-to-make-his-mourning-mother-an-art-world-star-today-she-is-a-highlight-at-a-major-exhibition-in-london-180988808/Officially titled 'Arrangement in Grey and Black No. 1,' James McNeill Whistler’s stoic portrait of his mother has come to define the artist’s style and legacy. The artwork is currently on display in the same city where it was painted more than 150 years agoTue, 26 May 2026 17:56:08 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/whistler-didnt-mean-to-make-his-mourning-mother-an-art-world-star-today-she-is-a-highlight-at-a-major-exhibition-in-london-180988808/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/brazil-lost-80-percent-of-its-national-museum-collection-in-one-night-heres-how-its-fighting-to-rebuild-180988796/Ever since a 2018 blaze destroyed priceless artifacts and scientifically important specimens, museum staff have devoted themselves to reopening its doors to the publicTue, 26 May 2026 11:00:49 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/brazil-lost-80-percent-of-its-national-museum-collection-in-one-night-heres-how-its-fighting-to-rebuild-180988796/