Past Exhibitions

In Memoriam: Walter Mercado, 1932-2019

Known for his glimmering beaded-capes, Walter Mercado is a Puerto Rican television personality whose programs have been widely popular in both Latin America and the United States since the 1970s.

November 7, 2019 – January 2, 2020

1856 British Guiana One-Cent Magenta

The world's rarest postage stamp, the 1856 British Guiana One-Cent Magenta, is prominently displayed in the museum’s William H. Gross Stamp Gallery.

June 4, 2015 – December 22, 2019

American Indian Museum New York

Taino: Native Heritage and Identity in the Caribbean

Explore the rural roots of the Taíno movement and find information about the legacy of Native peoples throughout the Spanish-speaking Caribbean islands and their U.S. diasporas.

July 28, 2018 – November 12, 2019

In Memoriam: Toni Morrison

Toni Morrison, the first black woman to become a Nobel laureate, wrote about the experiences of African Americans.

August 6, 2019 – November 7, 2019

Recent Acquisitions

As the Portrait Gallery turns the corner on a new decade of its legacy, the museum presents an exhibition of historic and contemporary works newly acquired for its growing collection.

November 16, 2018 – November 3, 2019

In Memoriam: Jessye Norman, 1945-2019

The National Portrait Gallery commemorates the life of Jessye Norman, one of the twentieth century's greatest sopranos.

October 3, 2019 – November 3, 2019

Royal Philatelic Society London's 150th Anniversary

The exhibition includes displays of Empire and Commonwealth treasures and royal autographs from the National Postal Museum’s collection, as well as a non-competitive exhibition of single-frame exhibits by RPSL’s North American members.

October 18, 2019 – October 19, 2019

American Indian Museum New York

Voyager: Around the World without a Pit Stop

On December 23, 1986, Voyager completed the first nonstop, non-refueled flight around the world.

November 1, 1987 – October 15, 2019

Air and Space Museum

Barron Hilton Pioneers of Flight Gallery

This gallery features famous "firsts" and record-setting aviators during the 1920s and '30s.

November 19, 2010 – October 15, 2019

Air and Space Museum

T.C. Cannon: At the Edge of America

T.C. Cannon: At the Edge of America celebrates Cannon’s creative range and artistic legacy through numerous paintings and works on paper, as well as his poetry and music.

April 6, 2019 – September 16, 2019

John Lennon: The Green Album

John Lennon’s boyhood stamp album—including 565 stamps on more than 150 pages are on display.

September 7, 2018 – September 2, 2019

Tiffany Chung: Vietnam, Past is Prologue

Internationally acclaimed artist Tiffany Chung is known for her multimedia work that explores migration, conflict, and shifting geographies in the wake of political and natural upheavals.

March 15, 2019 – September 2, 2019

American Art Museum

Postmen of the Skies

History of dangerous work of airmail service and the heroic pilots who flew expanding routes that lead to the nation’s commercial aviation system.

May 1, 2018 – August 18, 2019

Eye to I: Self Portraits from the National Portrait Gallery

As we are confronted each day with “selfies” via social media, and as we continue to explore the fluidity of contemporary identity, this is an opportune time to reassess the significance of self-portraiture in relation to our country’s history

November 2, 2018 – August 18, 2019

Artists Respond: American Art and the Vietnam War, 1965-1975

Artistic reactions to the Vietnam War created during the height of the US intervention in Southeast Asia are explored.

March 15, 2019 – August 18, 2019

American Art Museum

Modern Medicine and the Great War

World War I provided a testing ground for the application of new medical technologies and procedures, and in some cases accelerated their general acceptance or development.

April 6, 2017 – August 11, 2019

Righting a Wrong: Japanese Americans and World War II

The exhibition explores this history of Executive Order 9066, with original artwork by Roger Shimomura, along with historic images and objects.

February 17, 2017 – July 31, 2019

In Memoriam: Lee Iacocca, 1924-2019

Automobile executive Lee Iacocca introduced the iconic Mustang to Ford Motor Company’s lineup in 1964. An experienced salesman, Iacocca became the president of Ford in 1970.

July 3, 2019 – July 29, 2019

Beautiful Blooms: Flowering Plants on Stamps

This exhibition highlights the variety of flowering plants commemorated on US postage stamps during the past 50 years and explores artistic themes that emerged during this period.

October 20, 2017 – July 14, 2019

The American Revolution: A World War

The American Revolution: A World War examines the American Revolution as a global conflict and the critical interplay of foreign powers—including Britain, France, Holland and Spain—that were involved.

June 23, 2018 – July 9, 2019

Early Flight

This re-created indoor aeronautical exhibition (circa 1913) highlights the early history of the airplane from antiquity through the first decade of powered flight.

March 26, 1980 – July 8, 2019

Air and Space Museum

In Memoriam: Leah Chase

The Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery recognizes the life and legacy of Leah Chase with a painting by Gustave Blache III.

June 4, 2019 – June 30, 2019

Healing Arts

Select pieces from the museum’s permanent collection reveal the skill and range of African artists who create art empowered to counter physical, social, and spiritual problems.

October 3, 2016 – June 27, 2019

African Art Museum

Stories on Money

This exhibition explores the history of money—coinage and currency—from the earliest times to the present and showcases objects from the museum's National Numismatic Collection.

June 11, 2009 – June 23, 2019