Smithsonian

I am the darker brother. They send me to eat in the kitchen When company comes, But I laugh, And eat well, And grow strong. Tomorrow, I’ll be at the table When company comes. Nobody’ll dare Say to me, “Eat in the kitchen,” Then. Besides, They’ll see how beautiful I am And be ashamed—

The Smithsonian’s National Museum of Art and Japan-based TOPPAN Inc. are partnering to advance the museum’s growing digitization efforts, starting with implementation of cutting-edge virtual- and augmented-reality experiences. This partnership helps propel various goals in the museum’s strategic plan, including expansion of digital content, integration of technology-driven experiences and increasing audience reach.

The Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art has renewed its memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the National Institute of Japanese Literature (NIJL), part of the National Institutes for the Humanities, marking the continuation of a partnership dedicated to advancing research, accessibility and understanding of Japan’s literary heritage.

In celebration of the 250th birthday of the United States, this release includes a series of images featuring four wonders of the universe, rendered in red, white, and blue. The images contain X-ray data from the Chandra X-ray Observatory, optical and infrared data from the Hubble Space Telescope and the James Webb Space Telescope, as well as ground-based telescopes.

Two-Night Illumination Transforms the Smithsonian Castle Using AI-Driven Interpretations of the Institution’s Collections The Smithsonian will debut “Smithsonian Dreams,” a large-scale, multisensory public art experience by Refik Anadol, internationally acclaimed media artist and director of Refik Anadol Studio, on the National Mall.

The Museum’s Building on the National Mall Opened July 1, 1976 View of "RTX Living in the Space Age Hall" at the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC. The Hall explores how innovations in space technology have transformed our lives.

Amanda Gorman, the youngest inaugural poet in U.S. history, will deliver the opening keynote for the 2026 Smithsonian’s National Education Summit, the Institution’s signature three-day conference for educators. Her keynote will be livestreamed for preregistered participants Tuesday, July 14, at 10:30 a.m. ET.

The Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History presents “Gunboat Philadelphia: Save the Revolution!,” a new, virtual-reality experience that transports visitors to Lake Champlain in 1776, where they can take part in a pivotal moment in the fight for American independence. Participants wear a VR headset and join Patriot forces as they help build and sail the gunboat Philadelphia in an effort to repel a British invasion.

Innovative Technology Brings New Voices to the Mall, Commemorating the Nation’s 250th Anniversary; Access the Experience Now at unhidden-heroines.com The Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum today launched “Unhidden Heroines,” an augmented-reality experience on the National Mall that brings to life the stories of five women who helped shape American history.

Smithsonian Solstice marks both the start of summer and America’s 250th anniversary with an expanded, first-ever multi-day celebration building on the popular Solstice Saturday tradition. From June 19–21, Smithsonian museums across Washington will feature extended hours, a dynamic mix of evening programming and family friendly daytime activities on Sunday.