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National Portrait Gallery

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

Gertrude Stein, by Felix Edouart Vallotton, 1907. Copyright Fondation Félix Vallotton, Lausanne

A Visual Biography of Gertrude Stein at the Portrait Gallery

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

Come hear Yumi Kurosawa play the koto, a traditional Japanese stringed instrument.

Events Oct. 11-13: Stories From the Mine, Baseball Americana and the Music and Arts of Japan

This week, come to a panel discussion with the Chilean miners, a talk about baseball, and join in an evening of Japanese culture

Edgar Allan Poe

Edgar Allan Poe: Pioneer, Genius, Oddity

On this day in 1849, America lost an innovative, unique and utterly strange literary giant

Film still from 55 Days at Peking (1963)

The List: Top Eleven Things to Do this Month at the Smithsonian After Work

Date night at the Smithsonian, grab your special someone and head out to these after-hours events

See the documentary "Columbus Day Legacy" this Saturday at the American Indian Museum.

Weekend Events Sept. 30 – Oct. 2: Treasures at the Museum, Columbus Day Legacy, and Portrait Discovery

This weekend, get a book autographed, see a thought-provoking documentary, and see the Portrait Gallery in a whole new way

Visit the Peacock Room, restored to its 1908 condition

Events Sept 26-29: Great Apes, The Peacock Room, Immigrants and Revolutionists, and Talking About Andy

This week, learn from gorillas, see a masterpiece of Asian art, play a pop quiz, and hear from an expert about Andy Warhol

Historian Amy Henderson at work, wearing her boa

Historian Amy Henderson: Movies Make Museums Move

Guest blogger Henderson ponders the idea that the big screen deserves its own gallery

"B.B. King," by Morgan Monceaux.

Celebrating B.B. King, the Face of the Blues

A look back at the American music icon

Kogod Courtyard is a 28,000-square-foot space with seating, free Wi-Fi and a Courtyard Café.

The List: Five Study Nooks in and Around the Smithsonian Museums

Calling all students, finding it hard to concentrate on your studies, we recommend five cool places to hit the books

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The Different Faces of Korean Heritage at the Portrait Gallery

Artist CYJO discusses The KYOPO Project, a portrait ensemble of more than 200 individuals born in Korea, but living abroad

Thoreau daguerreotype

Thoreau Leaves Walden Pond

On this day in 1847, Henry David Thoreau ended his celebrated time in solitude and took up the great task of writing about it

Come see animals like this porcupine at mealtime.

Events August 29-September 1: Zoo Cuisine, “For All the World To See,” Let’s Eat!, Apache 8

This week, see feeding time for exotic animals, get a guided tour of the Civil Rights movement and more

Sketch of Capote. National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution; gift of the artist

Truman Capote, America’s Author-Celebrity

Just a few decades ago, one of the country’s biggest superstars was a writer. Capote’s story goes from pariah to celebrated socialite and back again

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Events August 22-25: Addy’s World, Draw & Discover, Child of the Civil Rights Movement and More

Take a tour through American history, create your own art, listen to an author speak about civil rights, and enjoy a tour of an exhibition soon to close

Men of Progress

Meet Amy Henderson, Historian at the National Portrait Gallery

Our guest blogger ponders the “spirits” of America’s heroes and their legacies as she walks the museum’s hallways

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Events August 15 – 18: Born to Be Wild, Negro League Stories, Book Signing and a Jazz Funk Show

This week, Smithsonian brings you an IMAX animal adventure, storytelling about the Negro League era, a visiting author and a free outdoor jazz funk concert

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Encountering the Asian American Experience at Portrait Gallery

Konrad Ng, director of the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Program, shares his insights on “Portraiture Now: Asian American Portraits of Encounter”

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