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National Portrait Gallery

The Black List features portraits of fifty African Americans who are influential in their fields, such as Chris Rock.

Celebrate Black History Month with the Smithsonian

From Kenyan storytelling performances to Black Power film screenings, February on the Mall is buzzing with Black History Month events

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Curators, Scientific Adventurers and Book Worms to Watch in 2012

Our top ten picks from the Smithsonian Twitterati and blogrolls

The newly commissioned Alice Waters portrait

Historian Amy Henderson: Food, Glorious Food

At the Portrait Gallery, Historian Amy Henderson Awaits the Presentation of a New Portrait of Chef Alice Waters

The Luce Foundation Center, Smithsonian American Art Museum

Events Dec. 27-29: Winter Break Programs, Camp Kwanzaa

This week, take part in the Portrait Gallery’s special winter break and celebrate Kwanzaa

Learn about writer and art collector Gertrude Stein as part of the Portrait Story Days series.

Weekend Events Dec. 23-25: ArtLab+ Showcase, Portrait Story Days, and Christmas

This week, see young people’s creative works, learn about Gertrude Stein, and have a merry Christmas

The Portrait Gallery's Model Hall is an "architectural boast of the first order."

Amy Henderson: American History On-Site in Washington, DC

The Portrait Gallery’s Cultural Historian Amy Henderson discusses the sites and scenes on a walking tour of Washington, D.C.

Get a hands-on introduction to forensics as part of the "Written in Bone" exhibition

Events Nov. 21-24: For All the World To See, Forensics Lab, Beyond Blackface and Thanksgiving

This week, get a guided tour of a fascinating exhibit, experiment in an interactive forensics lab, hear from a noted author and celebrate Thanksgiving

Elvis at 21: Presley reads fan mail on March 17, 1956

Amy Henderson: The Medium is the Message

The Portrait Gallery’s Cultural Historian Amy Henderson discusses the museum’s vision—to tell America’s stories as “visual biography”

Cronkite’s untouchable aura of authority led droves of viewers to change their opinions on Vietnam (above, Hue, Vietnam, 1968).

Walter Cronkite and a Different Era of News

The legendary CBS anchorman was the “most trusted” man in America

Learn about destinations in Chile, such as Torres del Paine National Park.

Events Oct. 31-Nov. 3: Spooky Storytelling, Explore Chile, Lunder Conservation Center, and Sounds of the Dragon

This week, visit a Halloween story session, learn about Chile, get an up-close look at museum conservation, and enjoy a fusion of classical music

What if we could make masks to look like these models in the Natural History Museum's Hall of Human Origins?

The List: Smithsonian-Inspired Halloween Costumes

For all you last-minute costume shoppers, here’s this year’s list of Smithsonian DIY ideas

Alice Waters, by Dave Woody; 2010

Last Call: Outwin Boochever Portrait Competition

National Portrait Gallery curator Brandon Fortune provides some insight to what she and other contest jurors are looking for

Carl Yastrzemski's custom batting helmet

The List: Legends Play Ball at the Smithsonian

With the World Series set to start, see some of the all-time baseball greats in the Institution’s collections

Come see the Bay Jazz Project perform at the American Art Museum

Events Oct. 17-20: YouTube Mania, Worms From Hell, Women in Hong Kong and Bay Jazz Project

This week, come to an interactive art event, discuss life on meteorites, learn about Women in Hong Kong and take in some live jazz

Historian David Ward discusses his new book of poetry

National Portrait Gallery’s David C. Ward: Historian Turns to Poetry

In a new book of poetry, a Smithsonian scholar renders his thoughts on family, nature, celebrity and anonymity

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