The Institution was founded in 1846 with funds from the Englishman James Smithson (1765–1829) according to his wishes “under the name of the Smithsonian Institution… The Henry Medal, established in 1878, is presented to individuals in recognition of their distinguished service, achievements or contributions to the prestige and growth of the Smithsonian Institution. Smithsonian was the result of Secretary of the Smithsonian S. Dillon Ripley asking the retired editor of Life magazine Edward K. Thompson to produce a magazine "about things in which the Smithsonian Institution is interested, might be interested or ought to be interested". The National Museum of American History is home to more than 1.8 million objects and more than three shelf-miles of archival collections. [90] Regents who are senators or representatives serve for the duration of their elected terms, while citizen Regents serve a maximum of two six-year terms. The Smithsonian Institution was established as an independent trust instrumentality of the United States by an Act of Congress in 1846 with a clear mission: the increase and diffusion of knowledge. Miguel Pieras Handwritten ink on paper pasted on wood board National Anthropological Archives, Smithsonian Institution, MS 1082. Welcome to the 3D Scanning Frontier The 3D Program is a small group of technologists working within the Smithsonian Institution Digitization Program Office. [80][81], The organization publishes under the imprints Smithsonian Institution Press,[82] Smithsonian Books,[83] and Smithsonian Institution Scholarly Press.[84]. Join the Smithsonian Institution as we answer these questions and more. The Smithsonian Institution is the world’s largest museum, education, and research complex, with 19 museums and the National Zoo—shaping the future by preserving our heritage, discovering new knowledge, and sharing our resources with the world. [86] More than two-thirds of the Smithsonian's workforce of some 6,300 persons are employees of the federal government. [44], Eleven years later, the National Museum of African Art and the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery opened in a new, joint, underground museum between the Freer Gallery and the Smithsonian Castle. Mission and History. Discover the world through the Smithsonian lens from the comfort of your living room. "[72] Today, the website features a high-tech virtual museum. Paris: The African American Experience Virtual Tour. The chief executive officer (CEO) of the Smithsonian is the secretary, who is appointed by the Board of Regents. Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History Smithsonian Other members of the Board of Regents are three members of the U.S. House of Representatives appointed by the speaker of the House; three members of the Senate, appointed by the president pro tempore of the Senate; and nine citizen members, nominated by the board and approved by the Congress in a joint resolution signed by the president of the United States. [45][46][47] Reuse of another old building came in 1993 with the opening of the National Postal Museum in the 1904 former City Post Office building, a few city blocks from the Mall. Mission. To date, the Museum has collected more than 36,000 artifacts and nearly 100,000 individuals have become members. A brief history of the U.S. National Museum/National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Open Access – nearly 3 million Free images now available, John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Belmont–Paul Women's Equality National Monument, Japanese American Patriotism During World War II, Signers of the Declaration of Independence, Frederick Douglass National Historic Site, Boundary markers of the original District of Columbia, Women in Military Service for America Memorial, National Desert Storm and Desert Shield War Memorial, National Capital Memorial Advisory Commission. Benjamin Latrobe, who was architect for the US Capitol after the War of 1812, and William Thornton, the architect who designed the Octagon House and Tudor Place, would serve as officers. Previously two separate entities, the Smithsonian Libraries and the Smithsonian Institution Archives, we have now joined forces to better serve researchers, curators, educators, and learners of all ages at the Smithsonian and around the world. On September 18, 2013, Secretary G. Wayne Clough announced he would retire in October 2014. Rush returned in August 1838 with 105 sacks containing 104,960 gold sovereigns. Nagel, Paul (1999). Honorary members included James Madison, James Monroe, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and the Marquis de Lafayette. The Smithsonian Institution (/ s m ɪ θ ˈ s oʊ n i ə n / smith-SOH-nee-ən), also known simply as the Smithsonian, is a group of museums and research centers administered by the Government of the United States.It was founded on August 10, 1846, "for the increase and diffusion of knowledge". p. 348. [19] Finally, on August 10, 1846, President James K. Polk signed the legislation that established the Smithsonian Institution as a trust instrumentality of the United States, to be administered by a Board of Regents and a secretary of the Smithsonian. His position as the secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, to which he was appointed in the spring of 2019, is multifaceted. The Smithsonian is one of the world’s foremost research centers in science, the arts, and the humanities. The Smithsonian Institution is now the largest museum and research complex in the world. "Smithsonian Institution Names Cornell President As Its 13th Secretary. As we all work to shape a sustainable world, this record becomes the starting point. Two were the establishment of a botanical garden, and a museum which was designed to have a national and permanent status. ", "Smithsonian Seeks $300,000 to Save Dorothy's Ruby Slippers", Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service (SITES), "Smithsonian considers London outpost in Olympic Park", "The First Ladies at the Smithsonian: The Tradition of the Gowns (page 1 of 3)", "The First Ladies at the Smithsonian: The First Ladies: Introduction", "Smithsonian Sets Phasers To Restore On Original Starship Enterprise", "It is Official! [54] An example is a campaign to fund the preservation and maintenance of the ruby slippers worn by Judy Garland for her role as Dorothy Gale in the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz.[55]. We focus on developing solutions to further the Smithsonian's mission of "the increase and diffusion of knowledge" through the use of three-dimensional capture technology, analysis tools, and our distribution platform. Benjamin Latrobe, who was architect for the US Capitol after the … The Museum opened to the public on September 24, 2016, as the 19 th and newest museum of the Smithsonian Institution. Its research and outreach activities serve all audiences, within and beyond its walls. It did, and the building was designed by architects Adolf Cluss and Paul Schulze, based on original plans developed by Major General Montgomery C. Meigs of the United States Army Corps of Engineers. The Smithsonian Institution is releasing 2.8 million images from its massive collection online free for anyone to use. Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute Library (Republic of Panama) Tropical biology, ecology, conservation, pharmacognosy, ecotourism, etc. In 1997, the Smithsonian Latino Center was created as a way to recognize Latinos across the Smithsonian Institution. [73], Pilar O'Leary launched the program when she served as executive director of the Smithsonian Latino Center. Our Community Portal is open to any venue who may be interested in hosting a SITES exhibition, but an account is required in order to access some content [3] The institution is named after its founding donor, British scientist James Smithson. Using the lens of California Mission history, ... Smithsonian Institution, MS 1082. [25], In 1846, the regents developed a plan for weather observation; in 1847, money was appropriated for meteorological research. The James Smithson Bicentennial Medal, established in 1965, is given to persons who have made distinguished contributions to the advancement of areas of interest to the Smithsonian. The National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution. [52] The Smithsonian said that funds raised would go toward completion of the National Museum of African American History and Culture building, and renovations of the National Air and Space Museum, National Museum of American History, and the Renwick Gallery. The Smithsonian is home to 19 museums and galleries and the National Zoo. With the mission to "promote science and the useful Welcome to your Smithsonian Libraries and Archives! We provide engaging experiences with animals and create and share knowledge to save wildlife and habitats. About the Smithsonian Libraries and Archives. As a steward and ambassador of cultural connections, the Smithsonian's work helps to build bridges of mutual respect and understanding of the diversity of American and world cultures. The Smithsonian Institution Archives serves as the institutional memory of a unique cultural organization. Latinos". arts, and to establish a national museum of natural history," this organization continued to press Congress to establish a museum which would be structured in terms that were very similar to those finally incorporated into the founding of the Smithsonian Institution. The Institution is as an independent trust instrumentality of the United States and holds more than 137 million artifacts and specimens in its collections. The 3D Program is a small group of technologists working within the Smithsonian Institution's Digitization Program Office. [92] Upon Skorton's announced resignation in 2019, the Board selected Lonnie Bunch III, the founding director of the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture, as the 14th secretary.[93]. The Smithsonian Institution fosters the human capacity for change by fueling the human capacity to learn. The building opened in 1855. The Smithsonian Institution Archives serves as the institutional memory of a unique cultural organization. [52] This included 192 gifts of at least $1 million. We are dedicated to supporting cultural diversity and increased understanding among peoples through the documentation, preservation, and dissemination of sound. The Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum maintains the world's largest and most significant collection of aviation and space artifacts, encompassing all aspects of human flight, as well as related works of art and archival materials. [99], Group of museums and research centers administered by the United States government, "Smithsonian" redirects here. [75], After difficult times in the first few years, the center improved. However, when considering the GDP at the time it may be a more accurate comparison to $220 million in today's terms. [50], In 2011, the Smithsonian undertook its first-ever capital fundraising campaign. It is our guidebook to how the future can look and work. It was established in 1846 with funds bequeathed to the United States by James Smithson. The Smithsonian Office of Protection Services oversees security at the Smithsonian facilities and enforces laws and regulations for National Capital Parks together with the United States Park Police. Smithsonian Institution June 14, 2020. [77], Students selected for the program travel to Washington, D.C. for an "enrichment seminar" that lasts approximately five days. The secretary of the Smithsonian has the privilege of the floor at the United States Senate. For more Smithsonian numbers visit the Smithsonian Metrics Dashboard. Our Mission: Understanding the natural world and our place in it. As a public health precaution due to COVID-19 (coronavirus), the National Museum of African American History and Culture will temporarily close to the public starting Monday, November 23. [23] The voyage amassed thousands of animal specimens, an herbarium of 50,000 plant specimens, and diverse shells and minerals, tropical birds, jars of seawater, and ethnographic artifacts from the South Pacific Ocean. Prayerboard with Liturgy Written in Spanish and Salinan, 1817 (Side B). The Smithsonian Institution Libraries hold 2 million library volumes. Collections of artifacts are given to these museums in the form of long-term loans. Destination Moon: The Apollo 11 Mission is organized by the National Air and Space Museum and the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service. Shop. There are four pillars upon which the NMAAHC stands: Regents are compensated on a part-time basis. The National Museum of Natural History houses 145 million of these specimens and artifacts, which are mostly animals preserved in Formaldehyde. Search. Explore. The Archives’ mission is to document the goals and activities of the whole Smithsonian in its pursuit of increasing and diffusing knowledge, and exciting learning in everyone. The Archives is also responsible for ensuring institutional accountability, and for enhancing access to the rich and diverse resources in … Destination Moon: The Apollo 11 Mission will commemorate the first lunar landing in 1969, and the pioneering flights that came before, in a new, state-of-the-art traveling exhibition. It was designed by the world-renowned firm of McKim, Mead & White. In many ways, the origin of the Smithsonian Institution can be traced to a group of Washington citizens who, being "impressed with the importance of forming an association for promoting useful knowledge," met on June 28, 1816 to establish the Columbian Institute for the Promotion of Arts and Sciences. The Smithsonian Institution (SI) is the world’s largest research, educational, and museum complex, with 19 museums, 9 research institutes, 7 educational units, and the National Zoo, and its work is in nearly 140 countries. The Smithsonian's mission is "the increase and diffusion of knowledge." Smithsonian Archives hold 156,830 cubic feet (4,441 m3) of archival material. Beginning in 1825, weekly sittings were arranged during sessions of Congress for the reading of scientific and literary productions, but this was continued for only a short time, as the number attending declined rapidly. Mission The Smithsonian's mission is "the increase and diffusion of knowledge." Play. 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