Smithsonian Institution: United States museum and research complex
The Smithsonian Institution is a U.S. group of museums and research centers, based in Washington, D.C., holding millions of objects and running public programs, scientific research, and a popular monthly magazine.
Overview
The Smithsonian Institution is a group of museums, research centers and a national zoo administered as a single trust. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the organization operates facilities across the United States and abroad. It is one of the world’s largest museum complexes and preserves an extensive range of cultural, historical and scientific collections—numbering well into the tens of millions of items.
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Collections and major sites
The Smithsonian’s holdings cover natural history, art, aerospace, American history, indigenous cultures, contemporary art and much more. Major museums and sites include:
- National Museum of Natural History
- National Air and Space Museum
- National Museum of American History
- National Museum of the American Indian
- Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden
- National Zoological Park (the National Zoo)
- Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute in Panama
History and governance
The Institution was established in the 19th century through a bequest by the British scientist James Smithson, with the stated purpose of "the increase and diffusion of knowledge." Since its founding, it has expanded from a single building in the capital to a distributed organization. It is overseen by a Board of Regents and led by a Secretary, who together guide collections policy, research priorities and public programming.
Research, education and public programs
Beyond exhibitions, the Smithsonian conducts scientific research, museum conservation, education initiatives and field studies. Its research units include astrophysics, environmental science, anthropology and tropical biology. Programs range from school partnerships and traveling exhibitions to lectures and citizen-science projects that connect professional researchers with the public.
Publications and outreach
The Institution also produces materials for broad audiences, including a long-running, general-interest monthly magazine. The Smithsonian magazine highlights discoveries, collections and cultural stories drawn from the Institution’s work. Online resources, educational toolkits and digital collections extend access for people who cannot visit in person.
Notable facts and distinctions
Most Smithsonian museums on the National Mall offer free admission, and the Institution’s holdings make it a central resource for scholars and the public. Its campuses and research centers span multiple U.S. states and territories, and its combination of public exhibitions and active research distinguishes it from many other museum systems. For more institutional information and visitor details, see the Smithsonian’s main site at Smithsonian Institution.
Questions and answers
Q: What is the Smithsonian Institution?
A: The Smithsonian Institution is an educational and research institute and museum complex.
Q: Where is most of the Smithsonian Institution located?
A: Most of the Smithsonian Institution is located in Washington, D.C.
Q: How many museums, zoo, and research centers does the Smithsonian Institution have?
A: The Smithsonian Institution has 19 museums, a zoo, and eight research centers.
Q: In which other locations can the Smithsonian Institution be found besides Washington, D.C.?
A: The Smithsonian Institution can be found in New York City, Virginia, Panama, and elsewhere.
Q: How many items are there in the collections of the Smithsonian Institution?
A: There are over 137 million items in the collections of the Smithsonian Institution.
Q: What else is named the Smithsonian besides the educational and research institute?
A: A monthly magazine published by the Smithsonian Institution is also named the Smithsonian.
Q: What type of institution is the Smithsonian?
A: The Smithsonian is an educational and research institute and museum complex.
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AlegsaOnline.com Smithsonian Institution: United States museum and research complex Leandro Alegsa
URL: https://en.alegsaonline.com/art/91246