Past Exhibitions | Smithsonian Institution

John C. Ewers: Studies in Plains Indian Arts

Exhibited with a photograph of Ewers are samples of field notes and a draft of his current book, one of more than 150 publications he has written.

March 1, 1978 – May 30, 1878

Natural History Museum

Pueblo Portraits: 50 Years at Laguna Pueblo

See 40 black-and-white photographs that chronicle photographer Lee Marmon's diverse 50-year career.

September 15, 1999 – January 9, 1900

American Indian Museum New York

DC Art Association - First Annual Exhibition

Members of the District of Columbia Art Association display artwork, including sculptures and paintings in oil, watercolor, and acrylic.

June 1, 1969 – June 30, 1969

Anacostia Community Museum

The Rat: Man's Invited Affliction

Rats pose a challenge globally and locally, including in Washington, DC.

November 16, 1969 – January 25, 1970

Anacostia Community Museum

DC Art Association - Second Annual Exhibition

Members of the District of Columbia Art Association display artwork, including sculptures and paintings in oil, watercolor, and acrylic.

April 12, 1970 – May 3, 1970

Anacostia Community Museum

Lorton Reformatory: Beyond Time

Residents of Lorton Reformatory use their time in the corrections facility to pursue education, vocational training, artwork, crafts, musical performances, and dramatic plays.

October 11, 1970 – November 1, 1970

Anacostia Community Museum

DC Art Association - Exhibition 1971

Members of the District of Columbia Art Association display artwork, including sculptures and paintings in oil, watercolor, and acrylic.

May 2, 1971 – June 20, 1971

Anacostia Community Museum

The Evolution of a Community, Part 1: 1608-1955

Witness the history of Anacostia, a neighborhood in southeast Washington, DC, from 1608 until shortly after World War II, as drawn from interviews with longtime residents.

February 27, 1972 – August 31, 1972

Anacostia Community Museum

A Century of Weather and Crop Service

Go back to 1849 when Joseph Henry, as the first Smithsonian Secretary, pioneered the nation's weather mapping network. See weather maps and measuring devices from then to now.

June 1, 1972 – December 31, 1972

American History Museum

Pueblo Pottery: Zuni and Acoma Designs from the Smithsonian Collection

See Zuni and Acoma pueblo-designed pottery from the Smithsonian collections.

January 28, 1972 – December 31, 1972

Renwick Gallery

The Evolution of a Community, Part 2: 1955-Present

Witness the history of Anacostia, a neighborhood in southeast Washington, DC, from post-World War II through the present.

September 1, 1972 – December 31, 1972

Anacostia Community Museum

The Right To Vote

See ballot boxes, taxpayer lists, and Suffragette manifestos, as well as cartoons, posters and clothing, that trace the history of voting rights as they have been extended to the landless, soldiers, blacks, women, Indians, and 18-year-olds.

September 1, 1972 – March 31, 1973

American History Museum

Mutoscopes

See 3 mutoscopes, hand-cranked at a 5-cent charge.

July 1, 1972 – April 30, 1973

American History Museum

The Copernican Century 1450-1550

Visit Renaissance science, technology and culture with 15th-century astronomical instruments on loan from the University of Cracow, along with other instruments relating to Christopher Columbus, printing, and cultural history.

April 7, 1973 – April 30, 1973

American History Museum

The Lazzaroni

See 19 portraits, assembled from throughout the country, of a small group of intelligentsia--mostly scientists--who dominated the American scientific community in the mid-19th century and whose efforts resulted in the establishment of the National Academy of Science.

December 27, 1972 – May 6, 1973

Portrait Gallery

Noted American Authors

See 26 portraits of writers from the permanent collection; organized to coincide with National Library Week, which begins April 9.

April 8, 1973 – May 13, 1973

Portrait Gallery

Recent Acquisitions

View 25 new portraits, including the only known painting of F. Scott Fitzgerald, and also a painting of Juliette Gordon Low, founder of the Girl Scouts.

February 1, 1973 – May 30, 1973

Portrait Gallery

Masterpieces of Eskimo Ivory Carving

See examples of ivory carving in this exhibit prepared in conjunction with the National Gallery of Art's show The Far North: 2000 Years of American Eskimo and Indian Art.

April 1, 1973 – June 10, 1973

Natural History Museum

Chaim Goldberg's Shtetl

See paintings, drawings, and prints by the artist on his childhood in a Polish-Jewish community.

March 1, 1973 – June 15, 1973

American History Museum

Anacostia Today: The Evolution of a Community, Part 2: Continued

Originally shown in 1972 as part of Museum’s fifth anniversary, this exhibit continues its focus on five major topics of deep concern to the residents of Anacostia, a neighborhood in southeast Washington, DC.

March 1, 1973 – July 31, 1973

Anacostia Community Museum

Fourth of July

Objects and music set the mood of the holiday; a color slide presentation guides the visitor to exhibits of interest inside the museum.

July 1, 1973 – August 15, 1973

American History Museum

Mrs. Julian James

See examples of the contributions (her gift founded the costume collection) of this early Smithsonian benefactress, such as silver, jewelry, and furniture.

August 1, 1973 – August 31, 1973

American History Museum