Past Exhibitions | Smithsonian Institution

Abraham Lincoln: An Extraordinary Life

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

January 16, 2009 – May 30, 2011

The Hyperbolic Crochet Coral Reef

A whimsical display of colorful crocheted coral clusters, made of both yarn and found materials, honors the disappearing wonder, beauty, and diversity of living coral reefs.

October 16, 2010 – April 24, 2011

Natural History Museum

Crux: (as seen from those who sleep on the surface of the earth under the night sky)

View a mobile by Brian Jungen (b. 1970, Dunne-za First Nations/Swiss-Canadian) that depicts five animals that describe the Australian constellations.

July 30, 2009 – February 25, 2011

American Indian Museum DC

Heritage Gardens: African American and Native American

On view are living examples of plants used by Native Americans and African Americans for food and medicines.

August 1, 1992 – November 1, 2010

National Zoo

Ramp It Up: Skateboard Culture in Native America

This exhibition features rare and archival photographs and film of Native skaters, as well as skatedecks from Native companies and contemporary artists, to celebrate the vibrancy, creativity, and controversy of American Indian and Native Hawaiian skate culture.

December 11, 2009 – August 8, 2010

American Indian Museum New York

Artful Animals

Explore how African artists create striking works of art, using images from an array of domestic and untamed animals, in this exhibition dedicated to young audiences.

July 1, 2009 – July 25, 2010

African Art Museum

Dig It! The Secrets of Soil

This exhibition introduces the study of soil science and demonstrates the vital role soil plays in sustaining human welfare, assuring future agricultural productivity, and environmental sustainability.

July 19, 2008 – January 10, 2010

Natural History Museum

Seals

Visit with gray seals and California sea lions.

October 1, 1978 – November 30, 2009

National Zoo

Ramp It Up: Skateboard Culture in Native America

View rare and archival photographs and film of Native American skateboarders, as well as skatedecks from Native companies and contemporary artists, that celebrate the vibrancy, creativity, and controversy of American Indian skate culture.

June 12, 2009 – November 1, 2009

American Indian Museum DC

Farmers, Warriors, Builders: The Hidden Life of Ants

This exhibition provides a look at life from an ant's point of view through large-format photographs of ants going about their daily business, a cast of an underground ant city, and a live ant colony.

May 30, 2009 – October 12, 2009

Natural History Museum

Pile of Loot from Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian

View the "pile of loot" from the Twentieth-Century Fox movie Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian.

May 4, 2009 – October 1, 2009

Smithsonian Castle

Science in the News: The Truth about Crystal Skulls

On view for the first time is the Smithsonian's own crystal skull.

July 10, 2008 – September 1, 2008

Natural History Museum

Identity by Design: Tradition, Change, and Celebration in Native Women's Dresses

See 55 dresses and more than 200 related items from the Plains, Plateau, and Great Basin regions in this exhibition of Native women's identity through traditional dress and its contemporary evolution.

March 24, 2007 – August 3, 2008

American Indian Museum DC

Banding Together: School Bands as Instruments of Opportunity

March along with school bands to explore the legacy of instrumental music education in Washington, DC public schools from 1880 to 2006.

September 10, 2006 – May 14, 2007

Anacostia Community Museum

Lewis and Clark: The National Bicentennial Exhibition

Marking the 200th anniversary of the expedition, the exhibition includes more than 400 artifacts that emphasize the cultural encounters of the journey.

May 12, 2006 – September 11, 2006

Natural History Museum

Forwarding Address Required

Cards and letters exchanged between Japanese-American children sent away to internment camps during World War II and their San Diego librarian revealed the role of the mail as a civil liberty and witness to history.

May 4, 2001 – October 17, 2005

Postal Museum

On Their Own: Selected Works by Self-Taught African American Artists

The wit and daring of self-taught artists take center stage in an exhibition showcasing the works of Chris Clark, Simon Jackson, “The Dot Man” (Sam McMillan), Mary L. Proctor, “Mr. Imagination” (Gregory Warmack), and Ruby Williams.

January 31, 2005 – June 12, 2005

Anacostia Community Museum

Sports: Breaking Records, Breaking Barriers

From Althea Gibson's struggle to break the color barrier through the "Battle of the Sexes" between tennis players Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs to the humanitarian efforts of Roberto Clemente, sports illustrate many facets of American life.

October 7, 2004 – January 9, 2005

American History Museum

Holiday Display: Gingerbread Rendering of the Smithsonian Arts and Industries Building

See an artistic rendering of the Arts & Industries Building -- created entirely of gingerbread, sugar paste, herbs, grains, and hand-carved chocolate figures -- made by artist Jan Curry.

December 2, 2004 – January 5, 2005

Smithsonian Castle

All the Stories Are True: African American Writers Speak

Notable African American writers tell stories, including Valerie Boyd, Octavia E. Butler, Kenny Carroll, Edwidge Danticat, Samuel R. Delany, Eloise Greenfield, Charles Johnson, Delores Kendrick, and Walter Dean Myers.

June 7, 2004 – December 31, 2004

Anacostia Community Museum

Playful Performers

View an exhibition that looks at children's masquerades in Africa using objects, photographs, and video presentations.

April 9, 2004 – December 12, 2004

African Art Museum

George Washington: A National Treasure

In celebration of its acquisition by and for the American people, the famous and iconic portrait of George Washington by Gilbert Stuart will leave the nation's capital for a cross-country tour.

February 12, 2002 – August 22, 2004

Portrait Gallery