Smithsonian
This Cliff Face Is Packed With Fossilized Whale Remains
An exposed prehistoric seafloor is a hotspot for relics, and now an international team is helping unravel their mysteries
Smithsonian Honors Female Scientists With 120 Bright Orange Statues
The 3-D–printed figures will be displayed on the National Mall in celebration of Women's History Month
Our Top Ten Stories of 2021
From archaeological finds to an invasive weed to Roman bathrooms, these were our most-read articles of the year
Why the Smithsonian's Museum of African Art Removed Its Benin Bronzes From View
Displaying the looted artworks does "a huge amount of harm,” says director Ngaire Blankenberg, who has affirmed her commitment to repatriating the objects
Why Museums Are Primed to Address Racism, Inequality in the U.S.
Smithsonian leaders discuss how the Institution can be a powerful place for investigating and addressing society’s most difficult issues
Some Whales Can Eat Upwards of 16 Tons of Tiny Shrimp a Day
The giant mammals consume enormous quantities of marine organisms, three times more than previously thought, then their poop fertilizes the sea
Three Craft Artists Share How the Pandemic Has Reshaped Life and Art
Traditional and innovative specialists make ready for the upcoming virtual Smithsonian Craft Show and Sale
Thirty-One Smithsonian Artifacts That Tell the Story of 9/11
From a Pentagon rescuer's uniform to a Flight 93 crew log, these objects commemorate the 20th anniversary of a national tragedy
The Relationship Between Race and Wellness Has Never Been More Pressing
A new Smithsonian initiative kicks off this week with a virtual summit examining these urgent issues
The Storied Past and Inspiring Future of the Smithsonian's Arts and Industries Building
It was once the Institution's most forward-looking museum. Soon it will be again
Institutional Memories: 175 Years of the Smithsonian
Get to know the history of the cherished museum and research complex
Secretary Lonnie Bunch Reflects on the Smithsonian's 175th Birthday
The Institution's leader looks back on a vibrant history—and ahead to the next two museums
A Golden Symbol of National Identity Returns to Peru
The Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian has sent an ancient, pre-Inca breastplate back home
Remembering Michael Collins
As the third director of the National Air and Space Museum, the former astronaut campaigned for a museum on the Mall in time for the nation’s bicentennial
Smithsonian Announces the Zoo and Seven Museums Open in May
You'll finally be able to see the baby panda in person; here's our comprehensive list of what's on view and tips for visiting
Secretary Lonnie Bunch on What Makes for a Great Museum Exhibition
A well-curated show makes the unknown feel familiar—and reveals the unexpected
How to Build a Better Homemade Face Mask, According to Science
When Covid-19 hit, Smithsonian researchers set up makeshift home laboratories to conduct groundbreaking studies on mask fabric materials
Watch Giant Pandas and Other Zoo Animals Frolic in the Snow
The weekend's winter snowfall in Washington, D.C. delighted the giant pandas, red pandas, Andean bears and other critters at the National Zoo
How the Smithsonian and Other Museums Are Responding to the U.S. Capitol Riot
Leading institutions have started collecting artifacts and working to contextualize last week's violent attack
Why the Smithsonian Is Encouraging Americans to Talk More Openly About Race
In a year marked by calls to reckon with America’s racial past, the Smithsonian is taking a big step toward helping the nation heal
