historic rendering of SI Castle

Welcome

The Smithsonian Institution is the world’s largest museum, education, and research complex. Join us on a voyage of discovery in person or online.

W. Stuart Symington,
National Air and Space Museum

U.S. Air Force Established

W. Stuart Symington becomes the first Secretary of the Air Force on September 18, 1947.
miles davis' jacket
Smithsonian Spotlight

Don't Forget Your Jacket

Some amazing people have left their jackets at the Smithsonian.
kids gardening
Smithsonian Spotlight

50th Anniversary!

The Anacostia Community Museum renews its mission to convene conversations about community life in a contemporary society.
bottles of parasite specimans
Smithsonian Insider

Changing Climate and Parasites

A new study shows that parasites are facing major extinctions, and museum natural history collections hold the key to research.
tardigrade
Smithsonian Insider

What Species Will Be Earth’s Last Survivors?

Scientists determine the world’s most indestructible species will survive until the Sun dies.
music poster
Smithsonian Spotlight

1967: A Year in the Collections

Now a half-century ago, a look back at 1967 from the "Summer of Love" to the "Long Hot Summer" to the escalating war in Vietnam.
Miss Liberty Celebration
Smithsonian Spotlight

The Statue of Liberty: Symbol for a Nation

A gift from France in 1886, Lady Liberty in our collections and across America.
scarlet tanager
Smithsonian Insider

A Cup of Joe That’s Good for the Birds

Learn about Bird Friendly coffee, an initiative spearheaded by the Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center.
Chuck Berry’s Cadillac
Smithsonian Spotlight

Hail! Hail! Rock 'n' Roll

Any old way you choose it, for many, it's got to be rock and roll music. 
surface of a planet
Smithsonian Insider

In Search for Life, Ultraviolet Light May Be Ultra Important

Could UV light be one of the matches that gets life as we know it to ignite?
Woman and Cat by Window
Smithsonian Spotlight

Feline Finds

Cats as seen through the Smithsonian's collections.
dog figurine
Smithsonian Spotlight

Dog: Museum's Best Friend

Sit, stay, and explore dogs from across our collections.

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TravelTravel

Travel the world and learn with Smithsonian Journeys. Request a free catalog today.

MagazineSmithsonian Magazine

Smithsonian magazine places a Smithsonian lens on the world.

ChannelSmithsonian Channel

Original programs exploring science, nature, history, and pop culture.