How many smithsonian museums are there?

By HotBotUpdated: September 6, 2024

The Smithsonian Institution: An Overview

The Smithsonian Institution, often referred to simply as the Smithsonian, is a group of museums and research institutions administered by the United States government. Established in 1846, it is named after its founding donor, British scientist James Smithson. The Smithsonian's mission is "the increase and diffusion of knowledge."

Museums Managed by the Smithsonian Institution

The Smithsonian Institution operates 21 museums, 21 libraries, nine research centers, and a zoo. These institutions cover a broad spectrum of subjects, including history, culture, art, and science. Below is a detailed look into each Smithsonian museum:

1. National Museum of Natural History

Located on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., this museum is home to over 145 million specimens of plants, animals, fossils, minerals, rocks, meteorites, and human cultural artifacts. The museum welcomes over 7 million visitors annually, making it one of the most visited natural history museums in the world.

2. National Air and Space Museum

This museum showcases the largest collection of historic aircraft and spacecraft in the world. It features exhibits on the history of aviation and space exploration, planetary science, and terrestrial geology and geophysics. The museum has a second location, the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, in Chantilly, Virginia.

3. National Museum of American History

Dedicated to the history of the United States, this museum collects, preserves, and displays the heritage of the American people. Key exhibits include the Star-Spangled Banner, the First Ladies' Inaugural Gowns, and a comprehensive collection of American military history artifacts.

4. National Museum of the American Indian

Focused on the history and culture of Native Americans, this museum has three facilities: one on the National Mall, one in New York City, and the Cultural Resources Center in Maryland. It houses one of the world's most expansive collections of Native artifacts, covering the entire Western Hemisphere.

5. National Gallery of Art

Though not technically part of the Smithsonian Institution, the National Gallery of Art is a key partner and shares many of its resources. It consists of two buildings and a sculpture garden and features an extensive collection of European and American art.

6. National Museum of African American History and Culture

Opened in 2016, this museum is dedicated to the documentation of African American life, history, and culture. It contains more than 36,000 artifacts and has rapidly become one of the most visited Smithsonian museums.

7. National Museum of African Art

This museum is devoted to the collection, conservation, study, and exhibition of African art. It houses more than 9,000 objects representing the arts of Africa from antiquity to the present.

8. Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden

This museum focuses on modern and contemporary art. It offers a diverse collection of paintings, sculptures, and other art forms from the post-World War II era.

9. Smithsonian American Art Museum

This museum holds one of the world's largest collections of American art, covering all regions and art movements in the United States from colonial times to the present.

10. Renwick Gallery

A branch of the Smithsonian American Art Museum, the Renwick Gallery focuses on American craft and decorative arts from the 19th to the 21st century.

11. Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery

These two museums together form the National Museum of Asian Art. The Freer Gallery focuses on Asian art as well as American art from the late 19th century, while the Sackler Gallery specializes in Asian art.

12. National Postal Museum

Located in the historic City Post Office Building, the museum displays the history of the United States Postal Service and philately (the study of stamps and postal history).

13. National Zoo

Formally known as the Smithsonian National Zoological Park, it is one of the oldest zoos in the United States. The zoo is home to 1,800 animals of 300 different species and is renowned for its efforts in animal conservation and research.

14. Anacostia Community Museum

This museum focuses on the history and culture of African Americans and other ethnic groups in the Anacostia community and beyond.

15. Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum

Located in New York City, Cooper Hewitt is the only museum in the United States devoted exclusively to historical and contemporary design. It features a comprehensive collection of design objects, spanning 30 centuries.

16. National Portrait Gallery

This museum houses portraits of individuals who have made significant contributions to American history and culture. It shares a building with the Smithsonian American Art Museum.

17. Smithsonian Institution Building (The Castle)

Often referred to as "The Castle," this building is the Institution's administrative headquarters and a visitor information center.

18. Smithsonian Environmental Research Center

Located in Edgewater, Maryland, this research center focuses on environmental issues, particularly those affecting the Chesapeake Bay and its watershed.

19. Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute

Based in Panama, this institute is dedicated to understanding tropical ecosystems and their importance to the world.

20. Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory

Located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, this observatory is part of the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics and conducts research in astronomy and astrophysics.

21. Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute

Situated in Front Royal, Virginia, this institute is committed to animal conservation and biodiversity research.

Notable Smithsonian Museums in Development

The Smithsonian Institution is continually expanding its reach and impact. Two new museums are currently in the planning stages:

1. Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum

This forthcoming museum will highlight the contributions of women to American history and culture across various fields and periods.

2. National Museum of the American Latino

Set to be established on the National Mall, this museum will celebrate the history, culture, and contributions of Latino Americans in the United States.

Unseen Corners: Lesser-Known Smithsonian Gems

While the major Smithsonian museums attract millions of visitors each year, there are numerous lesser-known corners that hold unique treasures. For instance, the Smithsonian Gardens, which span multiple locations, offer a living collection of historical and contemporary gardens. The Smithsonian Institution Archives preserve the history of the Institution itself, offering a treasure trove of information for researchers.

Each museum, each exhibit, each artifact within the Smithsonian Institution offers a unique window into the myriad facets of human knowledge and creativity. The sheer number of museums under the Smithsonian umbrella speaks volumes about our collective pursuit of understanding the world and ourselves.

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