Smithsonian

The Smithsonian Institution, commonly referred to as the Smithsonian, is a group of museums, research centers, and a zoo administered by the United States government. Based in Washington, D.C., it comprises 19 museums and galleries, the National Zoo, and numerous research facilities, libraries, and archives. Its collections span natural history, science and technology, art, history, and culture, and its programs emphasize exhibitions, scholarly research, education, and conservation. Most Smithsonian museums offer free general admission.

History and purpose: The institution was established in 1846 from the bequest of British scientist James Smithson, who left funds to the United States for the “increase and diffusion of knowledge.” Congress created the Smithsonian Institution to manage the gift, and the complex opened to the public in the mid-19th century. The original building, the Smithsonian Institution Building or “the Castle,” serves as the administrative hub and public gateway to the institution’s activities.

Governance and funding: The Smithsonian is governed by the Board of Regents, which includes ex officio members such as the Vice President, the Speaker of the House, and the President pro tempore of the Senate, along with private citizens. The Secretary of the Smithsonian leads the organization. It is funded through a combination of federal appropriations, private gifts, endowments, and museum-linked revenues, with public support complemented by private philanthropy and earned income.

Collections and programs: The institution houses millions of objects and specimens across its sites, supporting research in fields such as anthropology, astronomy, biology, and history. It conducts scientific and cultural research, curates exhibitions, provides education programs, and maintains digital resources and archives for scholars and the public.

Notable sites: Key locations include the National Museum of Natural History, National Air and Space Museum, National Museum of American History, National Museum of African American History and Culture, National Museum of the American Indian, Freer Gallery of Art, Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, Smithsonian American Art Museum, and the Smithsonian National Zoo.