Past Exhibitions | Smithsonian Institution

The Kinsey Collection: Shared Treasures of Bernard and Shirley Kinsey; Where Art and History Intersect

Over 100 artifacts spanning some 400 years dating from the early 1600s illustrate the hardships and triumphs of the African American experience.

October 15, 2010 – May 1, 2011

American History Museum

The Kennedys 50 Years Ago

On view are nine photographs of the Kennedys taken by Richard Avedon for Harpers Bazaar.

January 3, 2011 – April 10, 2011

American History Museum

A Gateway to the 19th Century: The William Steinway Diary, 1861-1896

Steinway's diary spans 36 years of one of the most dynamic periods in American history.

December 17, 2010 – April 8, 2011

American History Museum

The Experience of a Lifetime: The Maid of Cotton Story, 1939-1993

On view in several cases are photographs and other archival materials that illustrate the 54-year history of the Maid of Cotton beauty pageant.

December 9, 2010 – March 25, 2011

American History Museum

Creating Hawai'i

This case features objects from the museum's collection that highlight the unique culture and history of Hawai'i.

August 21, 2009 – March 14, 2011

American History Museum

Cosmos in Miniature: The Remarkable Star Map of Simeon De Witt

This exhibition features the oldest surviving Anglo-American star map, hand-drawn by Simeon De Witt, surveyor for George Washington.

May 28, 2010 – December 5, 2010

American History Museum

View From Up North: Americans Experience Mexico, circa 1890-1945

As part of the museum's celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, on view in several cases are artifacts that show how Americans have experienced Mexico from the late 1800s to the mid-1900s.

September 23, 2010 – November 30, 2010

American History Museum

Holidays on Display

This exhibition examines the art, industry, and history of holiday displays across the United States, primarily between the 1920s and the 1960s, at the height of their popularity.

November 13, 2009 – September 30, 2010

American History Museum

Archives Center Cases: Solomon "Sol" Adler: Restless Inventor, 1901-1990

In several cases are drawings and documents related to inventor Solomon "Sol" Adler, who developed the first sewing machine that offered decorative stitches.

June 1, 2010 – September 22, 2010

American History Museum

Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing: How the Apollo Theater Shaped American Entertainment

The exhibition explores for the first time the rich history and the cultural significance of Harlem's Apollo Theater.

April 23, 2010 – August 29, 2010

American History Museum

These cases feature business, travel, and performance documents related to "Jazz at the Philharmonic," a series of jazz concerts, tours, and performances produced by Norman Granz in the 1940s to 1960s.

April 1, 2010 – May 31, 2010

American History Museum

A Letter from George Washington, November 30, 1785

On view is the letter George Washington wrote on November 30, 1785, to David Stuart, a trusted associate and stepfather to Washington's grandchildren.

February 25, 2010 – May 7, 2010

American History Museum

Picturing Words: The Power of Book Illustration

This exhibition explores the power of pictures and book illustrations.

November 21, 2008 – May 3, 2010

American History Museum

The Scurlock Studio and Black Washington: Picturing the Promise

The exhibition features more than 100 images created by one of the premiere African American studios in the country and one of the longest-running black businesses in Washington.

January 30, 2009 – February 28, 2010

American History Museum

Keeping History: Plains Indian Ledger Drawings

This exhibition features ledger drawings developed by Native warriors from the Northern and Southern Plains in the late 19th century.

November 13, 2009 – January 31, 2010

American History Museum

Jacksonville Bandstand

See an original 19th-century bandstand, embellished with ornamental fretwork of metal and wood and painted in its original colors -- cream, red, and light green.

July 4, 1984 – January 18, 2010

American History Museum

Bobcat Machines

On view are photographs, product literature, advertisements, and other documents related to the Bobcat Co.

November 30, 2009 – January 17, 2010

American History Museum

Bittersweet Harvest: The Bracero Program, 1942-1964

Through freestanding, illustrated banners with text, this bilingual (English and Spanish) exhibition examines the experiences of bracero workers and their families while providing insight into Mexican American history and historical context to today's debates on guest worker programs.

September 9, 2009 – January 3, 2010

American History Museum

Addison Scurlock's Portrait Studies of Women

See 14 photographic portraits of young women taken by African American photographer Addison Scurlock (1883-1964) during the 1920s.

August 3, 2009 – November 29, 2009

American History Museum

Earl Shaffer and the Appalachian Trail

Focus on the American environmentalist, naturalist, and activist Earl Shaffer (1918-2002), who in 1948 became the first person to hike the entire Appalachian Trail more than 2,000 miles -- in one continuous hike.

July 10, 2009 – November 1, 2009

American History Museum

Sporting Invention

In this showcase, items from drawings and prototypes to final products trace the development of sports inventions and highlight aspects of universal design in sports technology development.

January 7, 2009 – October 30, 2009

American History Museum

Stonewall: Fortieth Anniversary

Archival materials relating to the LGBT community are on view to mark the 40th anniversary of the modern gay rights movement.

May 30, 2009 – August 2, 2009

American History Museum

I Do Solemnly Swear: Photographs of the 2009 Inauguration

This exhibition features approximately 50 framed color and black-and-white photographs highlighting the week-long events surrounding the historic Presidential Inauguration of Barack Obama.

April 29, 2009 – July 12, 2009

American History Museum

Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn: Jazz Composers and Their Signature Works

Two of the greatest jazz composers were Duke Ellington (1899-1974) and Billy Strayhorn (1915-1967). This exhibition examines two of their most ubiquitous pieces.

April 4, 2009 – June 28, 2009

American History Museum

Claude "Fiddler" Williams and the Kansas City Jazz Scene

The archival materials in these cases introduce Claude "Fiddler" Williams and the Kansas City jazz scene. An American jazz violinist and guitarist, Williams was known for his swinging, bluesy style.

April 1, 2009 – May 29, 2009

American History Museum