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Smithsonian Snapshot

A peek into our collections, one object at a time

Smithsonian Snapshot

Sister Rosetta Tharpe, From Gospel to Electric Guitar-Driven Rock ’n’ Roll
Sister Rosetta Tharpe is often called the "Godmother of Rock 'n' Roll."
Smithsonian Snapshot

Renaissance Woman Augusta Savage
Sculptor and teacher Augusta Savage used her work to challenge discrimination and promote civil and women’s rights.
Smithsonian Snapshot

An Extremely Rare "Hot" Planet
A cloudless, Jupiter-like planet is discovered by astronomers at the Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian.
Smithsonian Snapshot

Lucky Strike
This small piece of yellow metal is believed to be the first piece of gold discovered in 1848 at Sutter's Mill in California, launching the gold rush.
Smithsonian Snapshot

President Lincoln’s Inaugural Ball Invitation, 1865
Peek into the evening of President Abraham Lincoln’s 1865 inauguration celebration.
Smithsonian Snapshot

When Wonder Woman's Jet Made a Brief "Appearance"
"I know I parked my Invisible Jet somewhere."
Smithsonian Snapshot

Leah Chase, the Queen of Creole Cuisine
“There have been a lot of problems solved in that dining room over a bowl of gumbo.”
Smithsonian Snapshot

The Unbreakable Navajo Code
Honoring the Code Talkers who helped win a war.
Smithsonian Snapshot

“I never drink…wine.”
This stamp depicts actor Bela Lugosi as the vampire Count Dracula. "I am Dracula. I bid you welcome."
Smithsonian Snapshot

Shredding With Judi Oyama
In 2015, Oyama became the first woman to win the N-Men Icon Award given to Northern California skaters who have made an impact on the sport.
Smithsonian Snapshot

Say Hello From Smithsonian Libraries
Use one of the Libraries' cool images to mail or email a postcard.
Smithsonian Snapshot

A Revolution in Tattooing
Thomas Edison's surprising connection to tattoos.
Smithsonian Snapshot

The Beauty of Broken Objects
Kintsugi (golden joinery) and the art of embracing imperfection.
Smithsonian Snapshot

We the People
We the people celebrate the signing of the U.S. Constitution on September 17, 1787.
Smithsonian Snapshot

Fashionably Funny
"Marvelous" costumes help tell the story of "Midge" Maisel, a Manhattan wife and mother who becomes a stand-up comedian.
Smithsonian Snapshot

In Space, No One Can Hear You Say "Ahhhh"
Patricia Cowings is a scientist astronaut who helps astronauts go to space.
Smithsonian Snapshot

Basquiat's Presence Continues To Loom Large in Modern Art
More than 30 years after his death, Jean-Michel Basquiat remains a strong presence in modern art.
Smithsonian Snapshot

Keys to the Future
Octavia Butler was a master storyteller and considered the godmother of Afrofuturism.
Smithsonian Snapshot

Art That Bridges Cultures
Chiura Obata's artwork captures the "Great Nature" of the American West.
Smithsonian Snapshot

Serving Up Holiday Classics
The iconic casserole dish with military roots.
Smithsonian Snapshot

Wonder Women
Sometimes a belt is more than fashion—it can tell a story.
Smithsonian Snapshot

It's Alive! It's Alive!
The story of Frankenstein has been told many times—even in comics.
Smithsonian Snapshot

The Latina Pilot Who Broke Barriers
Having earned more than a dozen awards, Maj. Marisol Chalas is the first Latina National Guard Black Hawk helicopter pilot.
Smithsonian Snapshot

Stay Sharp This School Year
Decades after it was first introduced, this pencil sharpener can still be found in classrooms across the U.S.

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