The Smithsonian Museums and The American Story

The Smithsonian Institution is the world-renowned museum and research complex consisting  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, the Smithsonian collection contains more than 150 million objects, works of art and specimens

Admission is free at every location.

The Smithsonian Institution Building, better known as “The Castle”, offers a preview the artifacts displayed in all of the museums. The museums are named after English scientist James Smithson, who, upon his death, gave all his money to establish the Smithsonian Institution.

The Air and Space Museum and Natural History Museum are the most popular of the museums . The National Air and Space Museum attracts 10 million visitors every year. It is the best collection of air and space hardware in the world.

The American History Museum, with its endless array of Americana including the original  the Star-Spangled Banner Flag,  takes a comprehensive look at US  history, and the National Zoo, which features hundreds of species , also draw millions of visitors  each year.

You can also take in the wonders of Asian art at the Freer | Sackler Galleries., and cutting-edge exhibits and architecture at the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden.

Explore centuries of artistic achievement at the Smithsonian American Art Museum, and view the most complete collection of presidential portraits, at the National Portrait Gallery.  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.

You can discover  Native American history, culture and art through in-depth exhibits and cultural events at the American Indian Museum, which is set in a jaw-dropping facade on the National Mall.The. delve  into America’s enthralling postal history from colonial times to the present at the National Postal Museum, home to artifacts that tell the story of how America has delivered its mail.

The newest Smithsonian Institution museum is the National Museum of African American History and Culture. Situated on the National Mall, in an eye catching and award winning new building , it  is the only national museum devoted exclusively to the documentation of African American life, art, history and culture.

Destination – Washington DC