Past Exhibitions | Smithsonian Institution

T is for Television

This exhibition features treasured objects from children’s television.

November 27, 2017 – September 4, 2018

American History Museum

The First Lady of Song: Ella Fitzgerald at 100

Highlighting Ella Fitzgerald (1917-1996), one of the greatest American singers.

April 1, 2017 – July 15, 2018

American History Museum

Through dozens of objects and images, Religion in Early America considers the intersection of religious freedom, religious diversity, and religious growth from the colonial era through the first decades of U.S. history.

June 28, 2017 – June 3, 2018

American History Museum

Solar on the Line

Solar on the Line explores the innovation and technology behind solar power as a renewable energy resource.

November 29, 2016 – March 4, 2018

American History Museum

Tucker automobile #39, 1948

One of the fifty-one nearly identical Tucker automobiles, designed by Preston Tucker, Alex Tremulis, and J. Gordon Lippincott and Company, were built in 1948 before the Tucker Corp. became embroiled in fraud allegations.

December 12, 2015 – February 28, 2018

American History Museum

West Wing Exhibition Preview: Second Floor

This sneak peek at the museum's renovations features a World War II billboard, a Godess of Liberty statue, an Apache fiddle, and a menorah with Statue of Liberty candle holders.

September 14, 2013 – January 7, 2018

American History Museum

2 West Preview Case

This preview case introduces the public to the Museum’s 2017 theme: “The Nation We Build Together.” The predominant feature is a nine-foot-tall LEGO Statue of Liberty displayed on a platform alongside images of objects that represent new exhibitions opening June 28.

March 2, 2017 – January 7, 2018

American History Museum

Through the African American Lens: A Preview of the National Museum of African American History and Culture

These artifacts demonstrate the richness and diversity of the African American experience and provide a preview of the themes and collections to be on view at the National Museum of African American History and Culture.

May 8, 2015 – October 1, 2017

American History Museum

Innovations in Defense

The Mayhem Cyber Reasoning System on exhibit is the first artificial intelligence cyber defense system designed specifically to thwart attacks on our increasingly interconnected—and vulnerable—devices.

April 20, 2017 – September 18, 2017

American History Museum

JFK Centennial Celebration

To commemorate the 100th anniversary of John Fitzgerald Kennedy’s birth on May 29, the Museum displays nine photographs of the 35th President and his family.

May 25, 2017 – August 27, 2017

American History Museum

American Ballet

This display showcases costumes worn by ballerinas Violette Verdy, Marianna Tcherkassky, and Misty Copeland.

January 25, 2017 – June 18, 2017

American History Museum

Everyone Plays!

An explosion of innovation and creativity has led to technological advancements in adaptive sports equipment, allowing disabled athletes to participate in a wide range of sports.

October 1, 2016 – March 26, 2017

American History Museum

Mending Broken Hearts: Innovation Inside the Body

Developing a successful mechanical heart valve involved years of experimentation by a small team of doctors after World War II.

September 23, 2016 – March 26, 2017

American History Museum

Access! Everyone! Everywhere! Elaine Ostroff and the Universal Design Movement

A pioneer of this movement was Massachusetts educator Elaine Ostroff who has advocated on behalf of people with disabilities throughout her career. Her work has improved the lives of people with disabilities and the general population as well.

December 1, 2016 – March 23, 2017

American History Museum

Art Pottery and Glass in America, 1880s-1920s

The Arts and Crafts movement in America took hold just as the rising middle class began to realize its potential to purchase more consumer goods. Among the manufacturers featured are the Steuben Glass Works, Phoenix Glass Company, Rookwood Pottery, Tiffany Glass and Decorating Company, Biloxi Art Pottery, Paul Revere Pottery, and Matt Morgan Art Pottery.

September 25, 2015 – March 12, 2017

American History Museum

Fantastic Worlds: Science and Fiction, 1780-1910

Travel with us to the fantastic worlds of fiction inspired by 19th-century discovery and invention.

July 1, 2015 – February 26, 2017

American History Museum

The Norie Atlas and the Guano Trade

This display will highlight John Norie's unique Marine Atlas, a large bound book of sea charts dating to the early 19th century, within the historical context of the guano and nitrate trades, in which many of the swiftest and strongest American square-rigged sailing ships were employed.

February 17, 2016 – January 29, 2017

American History Museum

Muppets and Puppets

In time for the winter holidays, this showcase presents a selection of Muppets and marionetts from the museum’s collection illustrating the evolution of puppetry.

November 23, 2016 – January 22, 2017

American History Museum

Toys and Childhood

This showcase presents a selection of cast-iron and tinplate toys from the museum’s collection dating from the 1870s to the 1950s, illustrating the ever-evolving nature of American childhood and home life and bringing to light aspects of play.

November 20, 2015 – January 22, 2017

American History Museum

Laughing Matters

Artifacts from two famous comediennes—Carol Burnett and Phyllis Diller—and Miss Piggy herself take center stage in a display that examines how comedy can express contemporary concerns.

July 22, 2016 – January 22, 2017

American History Museum

Cyrus Field and the Transatlantic Telegraph Cable

Using Archives Center collection materials, this display commemorates American businessman and financier Cyrus Field’s accomplishment in laying the first successful transatlantic telegraph cable in July 1866.

July 1, 2016 – November 27, 2016

American History Museum

Giving in America

The Giving in America display explores civic philanthropy over the past century. In the 21st century, private giving continues to shape our culture and communities.

December 1, 2015 – November 21, 2016

American History Museum

Hooray for Politics!

This display juxtaposes historic voting devices with contemporary candidate rally signs to encourage our visitors to reflect on the relationship between the nation’s democratic traditions and the current swirl of election news, and draw visitors into conversations on the importance of civic engagement.

February 1, 2016 – November 14, 2016

American History Museum

Science Under Glass

An examination of our collection of scientific glassware, from the 1770s to the 1970s, reveals the underlying story of the growth of laboratory science in America.

September 15, 2015 – September 18, 2016

American History Museum

Prince's "Yellow Cloud" Electric Guitar

The Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History recognizes the life and legacy of Prince Rogers Nelson (1958 – 2016) by displaying his “Yellow Cloud” electric guitar.

April 26, 2016 – September 5, 2016

American History Museum