Smithsonian Institution facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Smithsonian Institution

Established	August 10, 1846; 178 years ago (1846-08-10)
Location	Washington, D.C.; Chantilly, Virginia; New York City; Suitland, Maryland

Flag of the Smithsonian Institution

The Smithsonian Institution, often just called the Smithsonian, is a huge group of museums, education centers, and research centers. It's the largest of its kind in the world! The U.S. government created it to "increase and spread knowledge." It started on August 10, 1846.

The Smithsonian is sometimes called "the nation's attic" because it holds over 154 million items! This includes 19 museums, 21 libraries, nine research centers, and even a zoo. Most of these are in Washington, D.C.. You can also find facilities in Maryland, New York, and Virginia. More than 200 other museums across 45 states, Puerto Rico, and Panama are connected to the Smithsonian. They also publish Smithsonian and Air & Space magazines.

Almost all of the 30 million people who visit the Smithsonian each year can enter for free. The only exception is the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum in New York City, which charges a small fee. The Smithsonian gets most of its money from the U.S. government.

How the Smithsonian Began

The Castle in April 1865

The "Castle" building, built in 1847, is the Smithsonian's first home.

The idea for the Smithsonian started with a group of people in Washington in 1816. They wanted to create a place to share useful knowledge. This group, called the Columbian Institute, worked to study plants, minerals, and improve farming. They also wanted to create a botanical garden and a museum.

The museum they started had animal specimens, plants, and old artifacts. Some of these items were later given to the Smithsonian Institution when it was formed. This early group helped create the idea that a national museum should help the country and teach its citizens.

A Gift from James Smithson

The Smithsonian Institution was made possible by a very generous gift from a British scientist named James Smithson. When he died in 1829, he left most of his money to his nephew. But if his nephew died without children, the money would go "to the United States of America, to found at Washington, under the name of the Smithsonian Institution, an Establishment for the increase & diffusion of knowledge among men."

Smithson's nephew passed away in 1835 without children. So, in 1836, the U.S. Congress officially accepted Smithson's gift. An American diplomat went to England and returned in 1838 with 105 bags of gold coins! This was about $500,000 at the time, which was a huge amount of money.

Deciding What to Do with the Money

After the money arrived, it took eight years for Congress to decide what to do with it. Smithson's instructions were a bit unclear: "for the increase and diffusion of knowledge." The money was even invested in bonds from Arkansas, which then failed!

However, a representative named John Quincy Adams (who used to be president) convinced Congress to get the lost money back, plus interest. He also persuaded them to use the money for a place of science and learning. Finally, on August 10, 1846, President James K. Polk signed the law that created the Smithsonian Institution. It would be managed by a Board of Regents and a secretary.

Growing the Smithsonian's Collections

The Smithsonian Institution area around the National Mall.

The first secretary of the Smithsonian, Joseph Henry, wanted it to be a place for scientific research. But it also became a storage place for many collections from Washington and the U.S. government. For example, the United States Exploring Expedition sailed around the world from 1838 to 1842. They collected thousands of animal and plant specimens, shells, minerals, and artifacts from the South Pacific.

These items, along with collections from surveys of the American West, became part of the Smithsonian. These surveys gathered many Native American artifacts and natural history items.

Smithsonian Museums and Buildings

Construction of the first Smithsonian building, known as "the Castle," began in 1849. It was designed by James Renwick Jr. and opened in 1855.

• The Arts and Industries Building was the first expansion, opening in 1881.
• The National Zoological Park (the National Zoo) opened in 1889 to house the Smithsonian's live animals.
• The National Museum of Natural History opened in 1911. It was built to hold the huge collection of natural history items.
• The Freer Gallery opened in 1923. It was one of the first major gifts from a private person, Charles Lang Freer, who donated his art collection and money for the building.
• The National Museum of American History (originally the Museum of History and Technology) opened in 1964.
• The Anacostia Community Museum opened in 1967 in Washington, D.C.
• The National Portrait Gallery and the Smithsonian American Art Museum opened in 1968 in an old building.
• The Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden opened in 1974, showing modern art.
• The National Air and Space Museum, the largest Smithsonian museum, opened in 1976.
• The National Museum of African Art and the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery opened together in 1987.
• The National Postal Museum opened in 1993 in an old post office building.
• The National Museum of the American Indian opened in 2004.
• The National Museum of African American History and Culture opened in 2016.

Two more museums are being planned for the future: the National Museum of the American Latino and the Smithsonian American Women's History Museum.

Raising Money for the Future

In 2011, the Smithsonian started its first big fundraising campaign. They aimed to raise $1.5 billion. By 2014, they had already raised $1 billion! This money helps complete new buildings, renovate older museums like the National Air and Space Museum, and digitize collections so more people can see them online.

The Smithsonian has even used Kickstarter to raise money for special projects, like preserving the famous ruby slippers from The Wizard of Oz.

Smithsonian Museums to Explore

The Smithsonian has 19 museums and galleries, plus the National Zoo. Many of them are located on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. Others are in different parts of D.C., New York City, and Chantilly, Virginia.

Aircraft on display at the National Air and Space Museum.

The Smithsonian also works closely with 168 other museums in 39 states, Panama, and Puerto Rico. These are called Smithsonian Affiliated museums. They lend artifacts to these museums for long periods. The Smithsonian also has many traveling exhibitions that visit different places across the country.

Amazing Collections to See

The Smithsonian collections include 156 million artworks, artifacts, and specimens. The National Museum of Natural History alone holds 145 million of these, mostly preserved animals. You can find 9.9 million digital records online through their Collections Search Center.

Some of the most famous items you can see include:

• The Star-Spangled Banner flag.
• The stovepipe hat worn by President Abraham Lincoln.
• The ruby slippers worn by Judy Garland in The Wizard of Oz.
• The original Teddy Bear, named after President Theodore Roosevelt.
• A large model of the Enterprise spaceship from the original Star Trek TV show.

Recently, the Smithsonian decided to return some items that were collected in ways that are now considered unfair. For example, they are returning many Benin Bronzes to Nigeria and other cultural items to Turkey. This shows their commitment to ethical practices.

Smithsonian Online: Open Access

In February 2020, the Smithsonian made 2.8 million digital items available for everyone to use for free! This means you can explore many of their collections online from anywhere. They plan to release even more items in the future.

Smithsonian Research Centers

The Smithsonian has eight research centers. These centers focus on different areas of study.

Smithsonian Cultural Centers

The Smithsonian also has three cultural centers that focus on different cultures:

• Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage
• Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center
• Smithsonian Latino Center

Smithsonian Latino Center

The Smithsonian Latino Center was created in 1997. Its main goal is to highlight the contributions of Latino people to arts, history, science, and national culture throughout the Smithsonian's museums and research centers.

Young Ambassadors Program

One special program at the Latino Center is the Young Ambassadors Program (YAP). This program helps Latino high school students become leaders in arts, sciences, and humanities. Students chosen for YAP travel to Washington, D.C., for a special seminar. After that, they return to their hometowns for a paid internship. This program encourages students to be proud of their heritage and teach others about how Latinos enrich America's culture.

Awards from the Smithsonian

The Smithsonian gives out several awards to recognize important work:

• The James Smithson Medal is the highest award. It's given for amazing contributions to art, science, history, education, and technology.
• The James Smithson Bicentennial Medal is for people who have greatly helped areas the Smithsonian cares about.
• The Hodgkins Medal is for important work in understanding the physical environment.
• The Henry Medal is for people who have shown great service or helped the Smithsonian grow.
• The Langley Gold Medal is for important discoveries in the science of flight and aviation.

How the Smithsonian is Managed

The Smithsonian Castle doorway

The Smithsonian Institution was set up by a law passed by Congress. Most of its 6,300 employees work for the federal government. Security at all Smithsonian places is handled by the Smithsonian Institution Office of Protection Services.

The Smithsonian's museums are free to enter. The organization is governed by a seventeen-member Board of Regents. This board includes important people like the Chief Justice and the Vice President. The Chief Justice usually serves as the head of the institution, called the Chancellor.

The main leader of the Smithsonian is called the Secretary. The Board of Regents chooses the Secretary. The current Secretary is Lonnie Bunch.

Secretaries of the Smithsonian Institution

• Joseph Henry, 1846–1878
• Spencer Fullerton Baird, 1878–1887
• Samuel Pierpont Langley, 1887–1906
• Charles Doolittle Walcott, 1907–1927
• Charles Greeley Abbot, 1928–1944
• Alexander Wetmore, 1944–1952
• Leonard Carmichael, 1953–1964
• Sidney Dillon Ripley, 1964–1984
• Robert McCormick Adams, Jr., 1984–1994
• Ira Michael Heyman, 1994–1999
• Lawrence M. Small, 2000–2007
• G. Wayne Clough, 2008–2015
• David J. Skorton, 2015–2019
• Lonnie Bunch, 2019–present

See also

• 3773 Smithsonian
• List of aircraft in the Smithsonian Institution
• Smithsonian Ocean Portal
• Smithsonian Theaters

Images for kids

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  Learn more about the Smithsonian in Spanish!