Smithsonian Institution
Capital's museum network
The Smithsonian Institution is a group of museums and research centers in Washington, D.C., administered by the U.S. government.
Founded in 1846 with funds bequeathed by British scientist James Smithson, it includes the National Air and Space Museum, Natural History Museum, and numerous other facilities.
Admission to most Smithsonian museums is free.
Often shortened to the Smithsonian.
Item publicly displayed
- gallerySpace for displaying artwork
- curatorCollection overseer
- collectionGathered set of items
- artifactHuman-made historical object
docent · National Mall · Natural History · National Zoo · portrait gallery · conservation · restoration · acquisition
Nineteenth-century year
- foundingCreating an organization originally
- National MallFederal parkland between memorials
- legacyWhat's passed down
- endowmentPermanent donated fund
philanthropy · Castle · Beaux-Arts · centennial · expansion · archives · charter · bequest
New device or method
- technologyApplied scientific methods
- discoveryAct of finding something
- aerospaceAtmosphere plus outer void
- engineeringDesigning functional systems scientifically
prototype · patent · scientific advancement · Wright Flyer · Apollo 11 · space exploration · telecommunications · computing
Facility for scientific investigation
- scientistOne who studies nature
- publicationIssued written material
- experimentationSystematic testing of ideas
- grantBestow or award money
funding · methodology · entomology · mineralogy · paleontology · taxonomy · ornithology · botany
Study of human cultures
- heritageInherited cultural legacy
- ethnologyComparative study of peoples
- folkloreInherited cultural narratives
- traditionsLong-established customs passed down
artifacts · diversity · cultural preservation · ethnicity · indigenous · textiles · ceremonies · folk art
Gaining knowledge gradually
- outreachProactive community assistance
- programmingWriting software instructions
- lecturesFormal instructional talks
- workshopsGroup learning sessions
internships · fellowships · curriculum · field trips · educational resources · STEM · interactive exhibits · youth programs
exhibit
Item publicly displayed
- gallerySpace for displaying artwork
- curatorCollection overseer
- collectionGathered set of items
artifact · docent · National Mall · Natural History · National Zoo · portrait gallery · conservation · restoration · acquisition · catalogue
1846
Nineteenth-century year
- foundingCreating an organization originally
- National MallFederal parkland between memorials
- legacyWhat's passed down
endowment · philanthropy · Castle · Beaux-Arts · centennial · expansion · archives · charter · bequest · Congress
invention
New device or method
- technologyApplied scientific methods
- discoveryAct of finding something
- aerospaceAtmosphere plus outer void
engineering · prototype · patent · scientific advancement · Wright Flyer · Apollo 11 · space exploration · telecommunications · computing · industrial design
laboratory
Facility for scientific investigation
- scientistOne who studies nature
- publicationIssued written material
- experimentationSystematic testing of ideas
grant · funding · methodology · entomology · mineralogy · paleontology · taxonomy · ornithology · botany · astrophysics
anthropology
Study of human cultures
- heritageInherited cultural legacy
- ethnologyComparative study of peoples
- folkloreInherited cultural narratives
traditions · artifacts · diversity · cultural preservation · ethnicity · indigenous · textiles · ceremonies · folk art · musical instruments
learning
Gaining knowledge gradually
- outreachProactive community assistance
- programmingWriting software instructions
- lecturesFormal instructional talks
workshops · internships · fellowships · curriculum · field trips · educational resources · STEM · interactive exhibits · youth programs · teacher resources
Smithsonian Institutionbook burning
Incinerating texts as censorship
iconoclasm · anti-intellectualism · cultural erasure · obscurantism · Ministry of Truth
institution, institutional, institutions, institutionalize, institutionalized, Smithsonian, institutionally, institutionalization, institutionalizing