His job is a bit like a CEO’s, he explained. The Institute first met in Blodget's Hotel, later in the Treasury Department and City Hall, before being assigned a permanent home in 1824 in the Capitol building. [87][88], As approved by Congress on August 10, 1846, the legislation that created the Smithsonian Institution called for the creation of a Board of Regents to govern and administer the organization. [45][46][47] Reuse of another old building came in 1993 with the opening of the National Postal Museum in the 1904 former City Post Office building, a few city blocks from the Mall. According to the Smithsonian, the center "support[s] scholarly research, exhibitions, public and educational programs, web-based content and virtual platforms, and collections and archives. The Institute proposed a number of undertakings. Historical research is also conducted in support of public programs, publications, and exhibitions. The Smithsonian Office of Protection Services is recognized in the cultural and natural heritage protection field as a leader in risk management. The Smithsonian Institution (SI) is the world’s largest research, educational, and museum complex, with 19 museums, 9 research institutes, 7 educational units, and the National Zoo, and its work is in nearly 140 countries. The Office of Protection Services (OPS) The Smithsonian Institution Archives serves as the institutional memory of a unique cultural organization. Its annual budget is around $1.2 billion, with two-thirds coming from annual federal appropriations. [79] Another Secretary of the Smithsonian, Walter Boyne, founded Air & Space. [75], After difficult times in the first few years, the center improved. The secretary of the Smithsonian has the privilege of the floor at the United States Senate. The Smithsonian Office of Protection Services oversees security at the Smithsonian facilities and enforces laws and regulations for National Capital Parks together with the United States Park Police. [78] According to the Latino Center, O'Leary told the press in 2007: "Our goal is to help our Young Ambassadors become the next generation of leaders in the arts and culture fields. Our collections represent our nation's rich heritage, art from across the globe, and the immense diversity of the natural and cultural world. [40] The National Portrait Gallery and the Smithsonian American Art Museum opened in the Old Patent Office Building (built in 1867) on October 7, 1968. The Smithsonian Folklife Festival is an international exposition of living cultural heritage annually produced outdoors on the National Mall of the United States in Washington, D.C., by the Smithsonian Institution’s Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage. The National Museum of American History is home to more than 1.8 million objects and more than three shelf-miles of archival collections. The Smithsonian Institution is releasing 2.8 million images from its massive collection online free for anyone to use. As the world's largest traveling exhibition service, SITES offers exhibitions to museums, libraries, science centers, historical societies, community centers, botanical gardens, schools, and other institutions across the nation. As we all work to shape a sustainable world, this record becomes the starting point. It opened in 1881. Join the Smithsonian Institution as we answer these questions and more. The institution is named after its founding donor, British scientist James Smithson. ", Columbian Institute for the Promotion of Arts and Sciences, National Museum of African American History and Culture, Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage, Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center, Harvard–Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, Smithsonian Provenance Research Initiative, Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, debate over the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, List of aircraft in the Smithsonian Institution, "Smithsonian History > National Museum of American History", https://library.gwu.edu/sites/default/files/scrc/Columbian_Institute.pdf, "James Smithson – Founder of the Smithsonian, Last Will and Testament", "Founding of the Smithsonian Institution", "From the Pacific to the Patent Office: The US Exploring Expedition and the origins of America's first national museum", "Building a Lasting Cuba-U.S. Bridge through Science", "National Register of Historic Places Inventory Nomination: Smithsonian Institution Building", "National Register of Historic Places Inventory Nomination: Arts and Industries Building of the Smithsonian Institution", "Camille Akeju: New Director Seeks to Rejuvenate Anacostia Museum", "Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian American Art Museum", "The List: Six Things You Didn't Know About the Air and Space Museum on its 35th Anniversary", "Review: The Smithsonian African American Museum Is Here at Last. Institution exhibits are free of charge, though in 2010 the Deficit Commission recommended admission fees. Empowering people to create a just and compassionate future by exploring, preserving, and sharing the complexity of our past. [58], Smithsonian collections include 156 million artworks, artifacts, and specimens. Officers were elected in October, 1816, and the organization was granted a charter by Congress on April 20, 1818 (this charter expired in 1838). Main site is in Panama City; branches in research stations on Barro Colorado Island on Gatun Lake, and on Colón Island, Bocas del Toro Province . [95] The Smithsonian is now a participant in the U.S. For more Smithsonian numbers visit the Smithsonian Metrics Dashboard. "John Quincy Adams: A Public Life, a Private Life". Beginning in 1825, weekly sittings were arranged during sessions of Congress for the reading of scientific and literary productions, but this was continued for only a short time, as the number attending declined rapidly. Was it worth it? The database will include 2D and 3D images from the Smithsonian… Critics contend this agreement effectively gives Showtime control over the film archives, as it requires filmmakers to obtain permission from the network to use extensive amounts of film footage from the Smithsonian archives. [42], The first new museum building to open since the National Museum of Natural History was the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, which opened in 1974. Mission and History Through the power of culture, we build understanding, strengthen communities, and reinforce our shared humanity. Queries come from offices across the Smithsonian, and from around the world. The Smithsonian is one of the world’s foremost research centers in science, the arts, and the humanities. More than 200 institutions and museums in 45 states,[note 1] Puerto Rico, and Panama are Smithsonian Affiliates.[8][9]. [99], Group of museums and research centers administered by the United States government, "Smithsonian" redirects here. The secretary also serves as secretary to the Board of Regents but is not a voting member of that body. Open Access furthers the Smithsonian’s mission which has been the same since its founding in 1846: for the "increase and diffusion of knowledge." Join the Smithsonian Institution as we answer these questions and more. [25], In 1846, the regents developed a plan for weather observation; in 1847, money was appropriated for meteorological research. Destination Moon: The Apollo 11 Mission will commemorate the first lunar landing in 1969, and the pioneering flights that came before, in a new, state-of-the-art traveling exhibition. [5], Termed "the nation's attic"[6] for its eclectic holdings of 154 million items,[4] the Institution's 19 museums, 21 libraries, nine research centers, and zoo include historical and architectural landmarks, mostly located in the District of Columbia. Global Change Research Program. As a public health precaution due to COVID-19 (coronavirus), the National Museum of African American History and Culture will temporarily close to the public starting Monday, November 23. [64], In February 2020, the Smithsonian made 2.8 million digital items available to the public under a Creative Commons Zero Public Domain Dedication, with a commitment to release further items in the future.[65]. It was designed by the world-renowned firm of McKim, Mead & White. [15][17] Unfortunately, the money was invested by the US Treasury in bonds issued by the state of Arkansas, which soon defaulted. [52] The Smithsonian said that funds raised would go toward completion of the National Museum of African American History and Culture building, and renovations of the National Air and Space Museum, National Museum of American History, and the Renwick Gallery. The James Smithson Bicentennial Medal, established in 1965, is given to persons who have made distinguished contributions to the advancement of areas of interest to the Smithsonian. Using the lens of California Mission history, ... Smithsonian Institution, MS 1082. Destination Moon: The Apollo 11 Mission will commemorate the first lunar landing in 1969, and the pioneering flights that came before, in a new, state-of-the-art traveling exhibition. [37][38][39] That same year, the Smithsonian signed an agreement to take over the Cooper Union Museum for the Arts of Decoration (now the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum). In many ways, the origin of the Smithsonian Institution can be traced to a group of Washington citizens who, being "impressed with the importance of forming an association for promoting useful knowledge," met on June 28, 1816 to establish the Columbian Institute for the Promotion of Arts and Sciences. The Trust builds on the mission of Englishman James Smithson (c.1765-1829), a chemist and mineralogist and the founding donor of the Smithsonian who left the entirety of his estate to the United States to found "at Washington, under the name of the Smithsonian Institution, an establishment for the increase and diffusion of knowledge." Bunch is tasked with the oversight of the institution’s 19 museums, 21 libraries, and the National Zoo, among other entities. arts, and to establish a national museum of natural history," this organization continued to press Congress to establish a museum which would be structured in terms that were very similar to those finally incorporated into the founding of the Smithsonian Institution. These included the study of plant life and the creation of a botanical garden on the capitol Mall, an examination of the country's mineral production, improvement in the management and care of livestock, and the writing of a topographical and statistical history of the United States. Smithsonian Journeys Highlights of Italy Experience the best of Italy's countryside and its famed cities Smithsonian Journeys Holiday Markets Discover Europe's festive traditions in charming riverside towns. Shop. Smithsonian 3D. [75], The opening of the center was prompted, in part, by the publishing of a report called "Willful Neglect: The Smithsonian and U.S. As a steward and ambassador of cultural connections, the Smithsonian's work helps to build bridges of mutual respect and understanding of the diversity of American and world cultures. As the world's largest traveling exhibition service, SITES offers exhibitions to museums, libraries, science centers, historical societies, community centers, botanical gardens, schools, and other institutions across the nation. This program encourages students to be proud of their roots and learn more about their cultural heritage to inspire them to educate the public in their own communities about how Latinos are enriching America's cultural fabric. [77], Students selected for the program travel to Washington, D.C. for an "enrichment seminar" that lasts approximately five days. [15][20], Though the Smithsonian's first secretary, Joseph Henry, wanted the institution to be a center for scientific research,[21] it also became the depository for various Washington and U.S. government collections. At the Smithsonian . The Smithsonian is home to 19 museums and galleries and the National Zoo. A brief history of the U.S. National Museum/National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Open Access – nearly 3 million Free images now available, John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Belmont–Paul Women's Equality National Monument, Japanese American Patriotism During World War II, Signers of the Declaration of Independence, Frederick Douglass National Historic Site, Boundary markers of the original District of Columbia, Women in Military Service for America Memorial, National Desert Storm and Desert Shield War Memorial, National Capital Memorial Advisory Commission. Our Mission: Understanding the natural world and our place in it. The Smithsonian Institution is the world’s largest museum, education, and research complex, with 19 museums and the National Zoo—shaping the future by preserving our heritage, discovering new knowledge, and sharing our resources with the world. The Smithsonian changed the exhibit, displaying the aircraft only with associated technical data and without discussion of its historic role in the war. [43] The National Air and Space Museum, the Smithsonian's largest in terms of floor space, opened in June 1976. [53], Separately from the major capital campaign, the Smithsonian has begun fundraising through Kickstarter. [33], When Detroit philanthropist Charles Lang Freer donated his private collection to the Smithsonian and funds to build the museum to hold it (which was named the Freer Gallery), it was among the Smithsonian's first major donations from a private individual. Mission. The Institution was founded in 1846 with funds from the Englishman James Smithson (1765–1829) according to his wishes “under the name of the Smithsonian Institution, an establishment for the increase and diffusion of knowledge.” We continue to honor this mission and invite you to join us in our quest. [Our Mission Content Section] Our Mission. Congress. The Institution is as an independent trust instrumentality of the United States and holds more than 137 million artifacts and specimens in its collections. A gift to the Smithsonian Campaign created the Tennenbaum Marine Observatory Network, which standardizes measurements around the biological changes in coastal zones. ", Parker, Lonnae O'Neal Parker and Boyle, Katherine. [76], The Smithsonian Latino Center's Young Ambassadors Program (YAP) is a program within the Latino Center that reaches out to Latino high school students with the goal of encouraging them to become leaders in arts, sciences, and the humanities. Our Community Portal is open to any venue who may be interested in hosting a SITES exhibition, but an account is required in order to access some content Rush returned in August 1838 with 105 sacks containing 104,960 gold sovereigns. This is approximately $500,000 at the time, which is equivalent to $12,005,000 in 2019 or equivalent to £9,520,034 in 2019. Welcome to your Smithsonian Libraries and Archives! Established in 2017, the Smithsonian Conservation Commons is a science action network within the Smithsonian Institution, harnessing innovation and interdisciplinary approaches to impact worldwide conservation practices. Dine. [80][81], The organization publishes under the imprints Smithsonian Institution Press,[82] Smithsonian Books,[83] and Smithsonian Institution Scholarly Press.[84]. In 1912, First Lady Helen Herron Taft donated her inauguration gown to the museum to begin the First Ladies' Gown display,[61] one of the Smithsonian's most popular exhibits. [74], At the time of its creation, the Smithsonian Institution had other entities dedicated to other minority groups: National Museum of the American Indian, Freer-Sackler Gallery for Asian Arts and Culture, African Art Museum, and the National Museum of African-American Heritage and Culture. House of Representatives. [26] The Institution became a magnet for young scientists from 1857 to 1866, who formed a group called the Megatherium Club. The Smithsonian Institution (/smɪθˈsoʊniən/ smith-SOH-nee-ən), also known simply as The Smithsonian, is a trust instrumentality of the United States[2] composed as a group of museums and research centers. [97][98], In April 2006, the institution entered into an agreement of "first refusal" rights for its vast silent and public domain film archives with Showtime Networks, mainly for use on the Smithsonian Channel, a network created from this deal. p. 348. It operates two landmark facilities that, together, welcome more than eight million visitors a year, making it the most visited museum in the country. The president's 2011 budget proposed just under $800 million in support for the Smithsonian, slightly increased from previous years. The Smithsonian Institution is now the largest museum and research complex in the world. It was established in 1846 with funds bequeathed to the United States by James Smithson. The Museum opened to the public on September 24, 2016, as the 19 th and newest museum of the Smithsonian Institution. Collections of artifacts are given to these museums in the form of long-term loans. For other uses, see, Smithsonian Institution (the United States), Secretaries of the Smithsonian Institution, "Smithsonian Information Brochure", Smithsonian Visitor Information and Associates' Reception Center, May 2009. The Institution is as an independent trust instrumentality of the United States and holds more than 137 million artifacts and specimens in its collections. [4] Institution publications include Smithsonian and Air & Space magazines. The Museum opened to the public on September 24, 2016, as the 19 th and newest museum of the Smithsonian Institution. It was established in 1846 with funds bequeathed to the United States by James Smithson. It encompasses 137 staff members and is supported by an advisory board of 15 leaders from around the United States. Discover the world through the Smithsonian lens from the comfort of your living room. Watch. The Smithsonian Institution is a unique complex of 19 museums and galleries, the National Zoological Park, and nine research centers. About the Smithsonian Libraries and Archives. [48], In 2004, the Smithsonian opened the National Museum of the American Indian in a new building near the United States Capitol. We focus on developing solutions to further the Smithsonian's mission of “the increase and diffusion of knowledge” through the use of three-dimensional scanning technology, analysis tools, and our distribution platform. The Archives’ mission is to document the goals and activities of the whole Smithsonian in its pursuit of increasing and diffusing knowledge, and exciting learning in everyone. Congress had promised to build a new structure for the museum if the 1876 Philadelphia Centennial Exposition generated enough income. With the mission to "promote science and the useful We provide engaging experiences with animals and create and share knowledge to save wildlife and habitats. Benjamin Latrobe, who was architect for the US Capitol after the War of 1812, and William Thornton, the architect who designed the Octagon House and Tudor Place, would serve as officers. Smithsonian Gardens is open to the public every day except December 25 and January 20, 2021. Historians in this group research the history of the Smithsonian for internal and external purposes. To view the status of the Smithsonian’s other museums and zoo visit si.edu/museums. Learn about our beginning with James Smithson’s bequest to the people of the United States. However, when considering the GDP at the time it may be a more accurate comparison to $220 million in today's terms. Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History Smithsonian Play. Regents are compensated on a part-time basis. In 2003, a National Museum of Natural History exhibit, Subhankar Banerjee's Seasons of Life and Land, featuring photographs of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, was censored and moved to the basement by Smithsonian officials because they feared that its subject matter was too politically controversial. [50], In 2011, the Smithsonian undertook its first-ever capital fundraising campaign. The Archives’ mission is to document the goals and activities of the whole Smithsonian in its pursuit of increasing and diffusing knowledge, and exciting learning in everyone. [34] The gallery opened in 1923. Mission and Vision Statement. Exhibitions, articles, and museum calendar of events. The nominal head of the Institution is the chancellor, an office which has traditionally been held by the chief justice. "[72] Today, the website features a high-tech virtual museum. You are fueling visionary research and hands-on science for a better understanding of our world. The history of the Smithsonian reflects the history of science, technology, art, and culture, both nationally and internationally. [41] The reuse of an older building continued with the opening of the Renwick Gallery in 1972 in the 1874 Renwick-designed art gallery originally built by local philanthropist William Wilson Corcoran to house the Corcoran Gallery of Art. The former occupied space where the present Botanic Garden sits. In many ways, the origin of the Smithsonian Institution can be traced to a group of Washington citizens who, being "impressed with the importance of forming an association for promoting useful knowledge," met on June 28, 1816 to establish the Columbian Institute for the Promotion of Arts and Sciences. [62] The museum displays treasures such as the Star-Spangled Banner, the stove pipe hat that was worn by President Abraham Lincoln, the ruby slippers worn by Judy Garland in The Wizard Of Oz, and the original Teddy Bear that was named after President Theodore Roosevelt. [14] Congress officially accepted the legacy bequeathed to the nation and pledged the faith of the United States to the charitable trust on July 1, 1836. Destination Moon: The Apollo 11 Mission is organized by the National Air and Space Museum and the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service. 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