Encyclopedia Smithsonian

On view is the letter George Washington wrote on November 30, 1785, to David Stuart, a trusted associate and stepfather to Washington's grandchildren.

The experiences of Japanese Americans during WWII; decision-making and citizen action under the U.S. Constitution.

The story of the horse's influence on American Indian tribes from the 1600s to the present is depicted.

On view are more than 60 of Lisa Law's photographs documenting the sweeping personal and cultural changes of the 1960s.

Learn about the achievements of women in the late 18th century and see portraits of eight prominent American women of the period.

Explore the life and legacy of our 16th president through objects from the museum's collection.

See some 90 African art objects that were inspired by astronomical observations and phenomena, including rainbows and eclipses. 

This exhibition examines the diversity, dynamism, and global influence of Africa's peoples and cultures.

150 Yup'ik Eskimo objects from the Yukon, Kuskokwim, and coastal southwestern Alaska are on view.

This exhibition examines the critical role the postal system played in the creation of America's commercial aviation industry.

This exhibition on the rich tradition of African American storytelling is celebrated through videotaped interviews with professional writers telling compelling stories drawn from their own experiences and revealing how the world in which they live impacts their writing.

This exhibition presents an alphabet of philately through 26 topics, in which each letter stands for some aspect of stamp collecting or the sending of mail.

This exhibition traces the history of commercial air transportation in the U.S. from 1914 to today and discusses how technological innovations have revolutionized air travel .

This exhibition examines how transportation -- from 1876 to 1999 -- has shaped our American identity.

Learn how business and innovation helped the United States develop from a small dependent agricultural nation to one of the world's largest economies.

This exhibition starts from the days of contact between Native Americans and European explorers through the struggles of independence to the Gilded Age.

Experience the true flavor, or "sabor," of Latin music in the United States and the influence Latin music genres have had on American popular music.

See more than 100 historic and cultural touchstones of American history from the museum’s vast holdings.

Drawn from the Portrait Gallery's permanent collection, this exhibition features individuals prominent in sports, entertainment, and other fields of endeavor during the last 10 years.

To celebrate Abraham Lincoln's 200th birthday, the museum hosts 10 rare and important documents from the Springfield library and museum.