How To Explore The National Museum Of Natural History
The NMNH consists of three floors. The ground floor consists of research wings and the Atrium Café where school groups would typically be able to take a break and collect their thoughts on the visit to the museum.
The first floor is the place to start with an opportunity to dive into a world of learning. Evolution is the key here with your understanding expanding with each exhibit. Explore the stages of evolution to learn of the journey we have all taken to reach where we are now.
In addition to a staff only research wing, the second floor offers three core themes. Discover the link between nature and culture examples of excavations and the world of geology. Explore the world of minerals and gems from Earth and space, the process of mining, and study the composition of rocks. Expect minerals and gems of varying colours, shapes and sizes youll unlikely to ever see elsewhere!
The History Of The Museum
Tracing its roots back to the founding of the institution, the museums collection was initially housed in the Smithsonian Castle. Then known as the National Museum Building, the Arts and Industries Building was constructed in 1881 to house the institutions growing number of exhibits. As the collection outgrew its second home, building, Congress authorized the construction of a larger structure. Opening in 1910, it was the first Neoclassical-style building to be erected on the north side of the National Mall. The buildings green dome is an iconic landmark along the Mall.
Smithsonian Museum Open Access
This year, the Smithsonian Institution released millions of images into the public domain. With Open Access to the Smithsonian Museums online, you can download, share, and reuse millions of the Smithsonians images. This includes images and data from across the Smithsonians 19 museums, nine research centers, libraries, archives, and the National Zoo.
- View the Smithsonians main collections online as well
- Did you know that the Smithsonian Institution was established because a British scientist left his estate to the United States for that express purpose? Learn about the history of the Smithsonian here.
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The Smithsonian National Air Space Museum Private Guided Tour
- Within 24 hoursNo refund
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experiences start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experiences start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experiences start time will not be accepted.
- Cut-off times are based on the experiences local time.
- This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If its canceled because the minimum isnt met, youll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.
Vaccine? Quarantine? Masking?
Hirshhorn Museum & Sculpture Garden
The Smithsonian Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden displays some of the most unique artworks in modern and contemporary art, including painting, sculpture and photography. Explore the Sculpture Garden through the museum’s virtual view 1 and virtual view 2. The museum is also offering an array of at-home activities for kids and virtual programs for art lovers.
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The Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery captures America through the imagery of remarkable people who have shaped history. The museum is offering a range of digital programs while its physical doors are closed, including workshops, in-depth chats with artists, storytelling for kids and more.
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A small group of technologists working within the Smithsonian Institution Digitization Program Office have brought the Smithsonian museum collections to life with 3D digitization.
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The National Museum of African American History and Culture learning lab offers students and teachers digital resources including imagery, essential documents and engaging videos. These materials bring stories to life and inspire readers to become agents of change. You can also browse upcoming virtual events hosted by the museum.
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Whats Inside The National Museum Of The American Indian
The NMAI provides its first wow! moment before you even walk in the door. The building is one of DCs most visually striking, with its curvilinear structure and limestone material designed to resemble rock formations affected by wind and water over thousands of years.
Visitors at Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian on the National Mall – Free Smithsonian Museum in Washington, DC
The museum’s collections represent more than 12,000 years of history across 1,200-plus indigenous cultures from the Americas. These objects range from the aesthetic to the religious to the historical, helping to form a comprehensive catalogue of Native American culture.
Ongoing exhibitions at the museum include Return to a Native Place: Algonquian Peoples of the Chesapeake, which allows you to meet the Native peoples of the Chesapeake Bay through maps, ceremonial objects, photographs and interactive displays. These details can help you have a deeper understanding of just how prevalent Native Americans were, and are, to the areas surrounding DC.
Complete Guide To Museum Of African Art
One of the countrys first institutions dedicated solely to artistic expression on the African continent, the National Museum of African Art opened to the public in 1987. The attraction boasts a collection of more than 9,000 pieces in a variety of media spanning from ancient times through the modern era. In addition to textiles and jewelry, the museum has sculptures, pottery and paintings representing nearly every country in Africa, including Arab North Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa. Although it is one of the Smithsonians smallest museums, the institution has the largest single collection of African art in the United States.
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What To Expect From The National Museum Of Natural History Tour
A topic that extends beyond the need to understand science, the biology of mammals, and geography, the natural world is relevant to all. Trying to comprehend the history of the planet and how as humans we have interacted with the various environments Earth provides us with not only provides us with a history but opens up dialogue as to how we can sustain our world and make it a better place for all. The NMNH brings together collections of over 145 million scientifically researched specimens and artefacts to create a working guidebook for the curious and new generation of scientists to further shape the models that guide the critical issues of our time, including public health, conservation, climate changes and agriculture.
Did you know? The largest extinction in Earths history happened 252 million years ago. It is estimated that 90% of marine species vanished over a period of 60,000 years.
Smithsonian American Art Museum
The Smithsonian American Art Museum is part of the Smithsonian Institution. It holds one of the largest collections of art, from the American colonial period to the present.
The museum has more than 7,000 artists represented in the collection. The museums main building is the old Patent Office Building, which it shares with the National Portrait Gallery.
Craft-focused exhibitions are shown in the Renwick Gallery.
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Museum Of African American History And Culture
The National Museum of African American History and Culture chronicles Americas journey toward enshrining freedom, equality and democracy for all citizens. The museum houses a collection of more than 37,000 pieces related to a variety of areas, including slavery, segregation and civil rights as well as family, religion and the performing arts.
Smithsonian Air And Space Museum
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One can only imagine the exhilaration that Neil Armstrong felt as he took the very first steps on the moon in 1969 or the incredible thrill that the Wright brothers experienced as they took that first flight in 1903. At the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum, you can get an idea of how they felt when you see first-hand the original Wright 1903 Flyer and the Apollo 11 Command Module which carried astronauts Neil Armstrong, Michael Collins and Buzz Aldrin on their mission to the moon. These historic air and spacecrafts are among a collection of more than 30,000 artifacts at the Air and Space Museum.
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National Womens History Museum
The National Womens History Museum , is a proposed museum and an American history organization that researches, collects and exhibits the contributions of women to the social, cultural, economic and political life of our nation in a context of world history. The museum is currently online, with plans to establish a physical museum on the National Mall.
- View their online
Museum Of The American Indian
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The Museum of the American Indian is the only museum solely dedicated to the history, study and preservation of the American Indians. Youll be instantly captivated by its masterful architecture. The curved limestone building appears to be a natural rock formation facing towards the sun and is surrounded by acres of authentic crops of the American Indian. Its very design stands out among the many granite and marble neoclassical structures in the National Mall. Once inside, youll be treated to an up-close look at the life, languages, history, art and traditions of the Native Americans.
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A small but world-renown museum, the Phillips Collection, is Americas first museum of modern art. Opened in the home of Duncan Phillips in 1921, the museum offers visitors a stunning representation of the most famous works of art by internationally known artists. See paintings by Van Gogh, Renoir, Degas and Monet and gain an appreciation of modern artists by viewing the work of Braque, Picasso and Matisse. The museum, though not a part of the Smithsonian Institution, offers art enthusiasts a rare and intimate look at the many masterpieces that Duncan Phillips personally collected. Its a wonderful museum for visitors of all ages.
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The John F Kennedy Center For The Performing Arts
The Kennedy Center is a vibrant campus of theaters and other artistic spaces that is also a living memorial to President John F. Kennedy. It is home to the National Symphony Orchestra, Washington National Opera, the Washington Ballet and thousands of annual performances of theater, dance, ballet, and orchestral, chamber, jazz, popular, and folk music.
- Find out about their current and past exhibitions
Smithsonian National Postal Museum
Journey back to the days of the Pony Express and see first-hand how the mail was delivered in colonial America, through times of war and into the present day. At the Smithsonian National Postal Museum, visitors learn about the amazing history of the American postal service and how it evolved to become what it is today. Located on the lower level of the old Post Office Building just next door to Union Station, the building was constructed in 1914 and served as the Washington DC post office until 1986.
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Smithsonian National Zoological Park
Flamingos at Smithsonian’s National Zoo – Guide to the zoo in Washington, DC
Go wild with online resources from one of the nations most popular zoological parks. Explore more virtual exhibits at Smithsonian’s National Zoo and check out the panda cam below, which offers a look at Xiao Qi Ji, the newest baby panda! Students and educators can Follow That Bird!
A working theater, historical monument, world-class museum and learning center, Ford’s Theatre is the premier destination for exploring and celebrating the life and legacy of Abraham Lincoln in Washington, DC. You can view their many online exhibits, including one that focuses on Lincoln’s assassination, or peruse online teaching resources. If you’re missing the Theatre’s live performances, settle in for some virtual play readings.
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The National Museum of Women in the Arts is the only museum in the world solely dedicated to celebrating the diverse artistic achievements of women. Check out virtual exhibits for Graciela Iturbide’s Mexico and Delita Martin: Calling Down the Spirits. There’s also ‘RECLAMATION: Recipes, Remedies, and Rituals,’ an entirely online experience that serves as an evolving exhibition of the power of food and the kitchen table. You can also search the museum’s comprehensive online collection and peruse fascinating artist profiles.
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What Is The Smithsonian Institution
Collectively called the Smithsonian Institution, the world-renowned museum and research complex consists of 17 museums and galleries in Washington, DC, including the National Zoo. From the origins of man at the Natural History Museum to the future of space travel at the Air and Space Museum , Smithsonian museums are a guide to the most fascinating aspects of our world. The museum collection contains more than 150 million objects, works of art and specimens altogether. And the best part: you wont have to pay a penny to experience it as admission is free at every location.
At the center of it all is the Smithsonian Institution Building, better known as “The Castle”. The vital information point makes for a perfect meet-up spot, and its Americas Treasure Chest exhibit inspires all with a sneak peek at the types of artifacts displayed in all of the museums. Dont leave without paying your respects at the crypt of English scientist James Smithson, who, upon his death, gave every last penny he had to establish the Smithsonian Institution.
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Museums Farther Than The Eye Can See
Smithsonians collection of knowledge centers serve as a treasure chest for visitors. The aforementioned Air and Space Museum and Natural History Museum are definitely fan favorites. The American History Museum, with its endless array of Americana , takes a comprehensive look at our countrys history, and the National Zoo, which features hundreds of species and the cutest panda cub around, Bei Bei, also draw millions each year.
But with the whole Smithsonian lineup at your disposal, we recommend that you also dig deeper in the District. Witness the wonders of Asian art at the Freer | Sackler Galleries. Marvel at cutting-edge exhibits and Instagrammable architecture at them Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, and have your mind blown by the crafty wizardry seen in the art at the Renwick Gallery, located steps from the White House.
Take in centuries of artistic achievement at the Smithsonian American Art Museum, and spend a lull or lunch at the architecturally riveting Kogod Courtyard. You wont have to travel far to see the most complete collection of presidential portraits, because the building is also home to the National Portrait Gallery. Each president is immortalized in the Americas Presidents exhibit, and the works come from artists named Rockwell, De Kooning and Close. Worldly art lovers will want to check out the African Art Museum, which showcases traditional and contemporary art from the continent, as well as a collection of more than 500 African relics.
National Museum Of African American History And Culture
The National Museum of African American History and Culture is a Smithsonian Institution Museum on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.
It has over 35,000 objects in its collection related to African American History and Culture and is open to the public free of charge.
The museum was established in 2003, and it opened in 2016, in a ceremony led by U.S. President Barack Obama.
Its collection relates to African American subjects of community, family, the visual and performing arts, religion, civil rights, slavery, and segregation.
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United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, DC – Museums in DC
Fortunately, you don’t have to venture to the Unites States Holocaust Memorial Museum to experience their latest exhibit, Americans and the Holocaust, which examines the motives, pressures and fears that shaped the American response to Nazism, war and genocide. Browse through a curated list of frequently searched themes.
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Take a time machine to colonial times when you step into Mount Vernons virtual tour of its property. You can step into each building, learn what its use was to the Washington family and discover what day-to-day life was like. Little known fact: You can even see the key to the Bastille prison that the Marquis de Lafayette gave to Washington as a gift, which resides in the main entrance of the mansion! You will feel as if youre receiving a solo tour of one of the most majestic sites in the DMV area.
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You might recognize the necklace pictured above from a little movie that stars Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet called ‘Titanic’. The Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History has this necklace on virtual exhibit for you to see and learn more about. You can also take a virtual tour of the museum, check out upcoming video programs and dive into the museum’s trove of educational resources.
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What Is The Smithsonian National Museum Of The American Indian And Where Is It
The National Museum of the American Indian is located on Independence Avenue SW on the National Mall. The museum boasts one of the worlds most expansive collections of Native American objects, photographs, artifacts and media. The NMAI is dedicated to bringing Native voices to life throughout its contemplative exhibitions and colorful activities.
The easiest way to get there is via public transportation. If traveling by Metrorail, get off at the LEnfant Plaza stop on the Blue, Orange, Silver, Green and Yellow lines and use the Maryland Avenue/Smithsonian Museums exit. If traveling by bus, take the DC Circulators National Mall route or the 30, 32, 34 or 36 Metrobus lines.
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National Museum Of Natural History
The Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History virtual tours allow visitors to take self-guided, room-by-room tours of select exhibits and areas within the museum from their desktop or mobile device. Visitors can also access select collections and research areas at our satellite support and research stations as well as past exhibits no longer on display.
