1 of 5

Write now Article Tools

(Visit the Smithsonian Institution in Washington D.C. and you will see why it represents the treasured icons of our past, the vibrant art of the present, and the scientific promise of the future. The Academy has collected more than 142 million objects - from flags and fossils, to sculptures and spacecrafts, to toys and tapestries. There's something for everyone at the Smithsonian.)

If you visited Washington, D.C., and had seen live shaggy buffaloes at the zoo grounds, and also saw the airplane named Spirit of St. Louis' that Charles Lindbergh flew when he crossed the Atlantic Ocean in a solo flight you would be seeing a small part of the Smithsonian Institution. The buffalo are at the National Zoological Park and the airplane is in the Air and Space Museum, two of the many divisions of the Smithsonian.

The Smithsonian Institution, an academy of learning and research, was founded on Aug. 10, 1846 by a bequest to the United States of America by the British scientist James Smithson (1765-1829). He wanted the U.S. Government to build a place where scientists could do research and study, and where all people can learn something about science and the arts.

Activities of the Institution include scientific research, exploration, publication, museums exhibitions, and care of collection both public and private. The academy invites you and your family to explore the diversity of inventions and innovations from artistic, historic, and scientific perspectives at several museums through hands-on activities, talks by inventors, and more.

The Smithsonian has a variety of special programs for children and families - storytelling, performances, craft workshops, and more. Enjoy an afternoon of storytelling with your family and create an artwork related to the weekly theme.

In the buildings of the Smithsonian Institution, you can see a space capsule, an exhibit on Native American life, a real locomotive steam engine, a display of gems and minerals, and many other interesting items to numerous to detail. Portraits of many famous Americans can be found at the National Portrait Gallery... and Oriental works of art can be found at Freer Gallery.

The National Zoological Park houses about 3,000 living animals among the first animals shown was a herd of American Bison. Good walking shoes are required as the zoological gardens covers 175 acres in Washington D.C.'s Rock Creek valley.

Concerts, films and lectures are often presented in the various Smithsonian museums and galleries. In the summer,

• 1
• 2
• next page >>

Add your voice

Know something about Guide to the Smithsonian Institution?
We want to hear your view. Write now!