The Smithsonian Institute
Written by Sarah Worthy
The Smithsonian Institution is an assemblage of 18 museums, plus galleries and gardens with affiliate relationships with 140 other museums and 9 research centers. The Smithsonian is dedicated to the advancement of science, discovery and an understanding of the American history and culture. With over 20 million visitors to its museums every year, the Smithsonian has had enormous success with its mission despite a very surprising beginning.
The Smithsonian Institution was founded when a British scientist’s, James Smithson, nephew died without any heirs in 1835. James Smithson had stipulated in his will that should his nephew die without any family, then Smithson’s entire estate should be donated “to the United States of America, to found at Washington, under the name of the Smithsonian Institution, an establishment for the increase and diffusion of knowledge among men.”
This was an unexpected donation considering James Smithson had never been to visit the United States nor seemed to know anyone here. Many speculate that the reason for Smithson’s generous donation to a country he had no ties with was due to his frustration and anger towards the British scientific community for not accepting him.
Today, the collection of Smithsonian museums, galleries, and gardens located in Washington D.C. are:
African Art Museum
Air and Space Museum and Udvar-Hazy Center
American Art Museum
American History Museum
American Indian Museum on the Mall
Anacostia Museum (African American History and Culture)
Freer and Sackler Galleries (Asian art)
Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden (modern and contemporary art)
National Zoo
Natural History Museum
Portrait Gallery
Postal Museum
Renwick Gallery (American crafts)
Smithsonian Institution Building, the Castle (visitor information)
Admission is free and the museums are open everyday of the year except Christmas Day.
