CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html>      <html class="no-js" lang="en" dir="ltr" prefix="content: http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/ dc: http://purl.org/dc/terms/ foaf: http://xmlns.com/foaf/0.1/ rdfs: http://www.w3.org/2000/01/rdf-schema# sioc: http://rdfs.org/sioc/ns# sioct: http://rdfs.org/sioc/types# skos: http://www.w3.org/2004/02/skos/core# xsd: http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#"> <head> <script type="text/javascript"> (function(){ window["loaderConfig"] = "/TSPD/?type=21"; })(); </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="/TSPD/?type=18"></script> <meta charset="utf-8" /> <script src="https://www.google.com/recaptcha/api.js?hl=en" async="async" defer="defer"></script> <link rel="shortcut icon" href="https://www.si.edu/sites/default/files/favicon_1.ico" type="image/vnd.microsoft.icon" /> <link rel="profile" href="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml/vocab" /> <link rel="apple-touch-icon" sizes="180x180" href="https://www.si.edu/sites/all/themes/si_baseline/favicon/apple-touch-icon.png?v=Jy7B3ml8wp" /> <link rel="icon" sizes="32x32" href="https://www.si.edu/sites/all/themes/si_baseline/favicon/favicon-32x32.png?v=Jy7B3ml8wp" /> <link rel="icon" sizes="16x16" href="https://www.si.edu/sites/all/themes/si_baseline/favicon/favicon-16x16.png?v=Jy7B3ml8wp" /> <link rel="manifest" href="https://www.si.edu/sites/all/themes/si_baseline/favicon/manifest.json?v=Jy7B3ml8wp" /> <link rel="mask-icon" href="https://www.si.edu/sites/all/themes/si_baseline/favicon/safari-pinned-tab.svg?v=Jy7B3ml8wp" color="#0177a8" /> <meta name="theme-color" content="#ffffff" /> <meta name="HandheldFriendly" content="true" /> <meta name="MobileOptimized" content="width" /> <meta http-equiv="cleartype" content="on" /> <meta name="description" content="The Smithsonian Institution is the world’s largest museum, education, and research complex." /> <meta name="author" content="Smithsonian Institution" /> <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0" /> <meta name="generator" content="Drupal 7 (http://drupal.org)" /> <link rel="image_src" href="https://www.si.edu/sites/default/files/logos/si-logo-1200x628.png" /> <link rel="canonical" href="https://www.si.edu/about" /> <meta property="og:site_name" content="Smithsonian Institution" /> <meta property="og:type" content="website" /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://www.si.edu/about" /> <meta property="og:title" content="About the Smithsonian | Smithsonian Institution" /> <meta property="og:description" content="The Smithsonian Institution is the world’s largest museum, education, and research complex." /> <meta property="og:image" content="https://www.si.edu/sites/default/files/logos/si-logo-1200-600.png" /> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image" /> <meta name="twitter:site" content="@smithsonian" /> <meta name="twitter:site:id" content="14199378" /> <meta name="twitter:creator" content="@smithsonian" /> <meta name="twitter:creator:id" content="14199378" /> <meta name="twitter:title" content="About the Smithsonian" /> <meta name="twitter:url" content="https://www.si.edu/about" /> <meta name="twitter:description" content="The Smithsonian Institution is the world’s largest museum, education, and research complex." /> <meta name="twitter:image" content="https://www.si.edu/sites/default/files/logos/si-logo-1200-600.png" /> <title>About the Smithsonian | Smithsonian Institution</title> <link rel="preload" href="https://use.typekit.net/qfv0ytn.css" as="style"> <link rel="stylesheet" href="https://use.typekit.net/qfv0ytn.css"> <style> @import url("https://www.si.edu/sites/all/themes/omega/omega/css/modules/system/system.base.css?su85pp"); @import url("https://www.si.edu/sites/all/themes/omega/omega/css/modules/system/system.menus.theme.css?su85pp"); @import url("https://www.si.edu/sites/all/themes/omega/omega/css/modules/system/system.messages.theme.css?su85pp"); @import url("https://www.si.edu/sites/all/themes/omega/omega/css/modules/system/system.theme.css?su85pp"); @import url("https://www.si.edu/sites/all/modules/calendar/css/calendar_multiday.css?su85pp"); @import url("https://www.si.edu/sites/all/modules/date/date_repeat_field/date_repeat_field.css?su85pp"); @import url("https://www.si.edu/sites/all/themes/omega/omega/css/modules/book/book.theme.css?su85pp"); @import url("https://www.si.edu/sites/all/modules/google_appliance/theme/google_appliance.css?su85pp"); @import url("https://www.si.edu/modules/node/node.css?su85pp"); @import url("https://www.si.edu/sites/all/modules/ogmt/ogmt.css?su85pp"); @import url("https://www.si.edu/sites/all/themes/omega/omega/css/modules/field/field.theme.css?su85pp"); @import url("https://www.si.edu/sites/all/modules/picture/picture_wysiwyg.css?su85pp"); @import url("https://www.si.edu/sites/all/modules/si_jobs/css/si_jobs.css?su85pp"); @import url("https://www.si.edu/sites/all/modules/views/css/views.css?su85pp"); @import url("https://www.si.edu/sites/all/themes/omega/omega/css/modules/user/user.base.css?su85pp"); @import url("https://www.si.edu/sites/all/themes/omega/omega/css/modules/user/user.theme.css?su85pp"); @import url("https://www.si.edu/sites/all/modules/ckeditor/css/ckeditor.css?su85pp"); @import url("https://www.si.edu/sites/all/modules/ckeditor_image2/ckeditor_image2.theme.css?su85pp"); @import url("https://www.si.edu/sites/all/modules/ckeditor_image2/ckeditor_image2.responsive.css?su85pp"); @import url("https://www.si.edu/sites/all/modules/media/modules/media_wysiwyg/css/media_wysiwyg.base.css?su85pp"); </style> <style> @import url("https://www.si.edu/sites/all/modules/colorbox/styles/default/colorbox_style.css?su85pp"); @import url("https://www.si.edu/sites/all/modules/ctools/css/ctools.css?su85pp"); @import url("https://www.si.edu/sites/all/modules/webform/css/webform.css?su85pp"); @import url("https://www.si.edu/sites/all/modules/edan/modules/edan_search/edan-search.css?su85pp"); @import url("https://www.si.edu/sites/all/modules/edan/modules/edan_searchtab/css/search-form.css?su85pp"); </style> <style> @import url("https://www.si.edu/sites/all/themes/si_baseline/css/font-awesome.css?su85pp"); @import url("https://www.si.edu/sites/all/themes/si_baseline/css/style.css?su85pp"); </style> <style media="print"> @import url("https://www.si.edu/sites/all/themes/si_baseline/css/print.css?su85pp"); </style> <script defer="defer" src="https://www.si.edu/sites/default/files/google_tag/www_si_edu/google_tag.script.js?su85pp"></script> <script src="https://www.si.edu/sites/all/modules/jquery_update/replace/jquery/1.12/jquery.min.js?v=1.12.4"></script> <script>document.createElement( "picture" );</script> <script>jQuery.migrateMute=true;jQuery.migrateTrace=false;</script> <script src="https://www.si.edu/sites/all/modules/jquery_update/replace/jquery-migrate/1/jquery-migrate.min.js?v=1"></script> <script src="https://www.si.edu/misc/jquery-extend-3.4.0.js?v=1.12.4"></script> <script src="https://www.si.edu/misc/jquery-html-prefilter-3.5.0-backport.js?v=1.12.4"></script> <script src="https://www.si.edu/misc/jquery.once.js?v=1.2"></script> <script src="https://www.si.edu/misc/drupal.js?su85pp"></script> <script src="https://www.si.edu/sites/all/themes/omega/omega/js/no-js.js?su85pp"></script> <script src="https://www.si.edu/sites/all/modules/jquery_update/js/jquery_browser.js?v=0.0.1"></script> <script src="https://www.si.edu/misc/form-single-submit.js?v=7.98"></script> <script src="https://www.si.edu/sites/all/modules/picture/picturefill/picturefill.min.js?v=3.0.1"></script> <script src="https://www.si.edu/sites/all/modules/picture/picture.min.js?v=7.98"></script> <script src="https://www.si.edu/sites/all/modules/autoupload/js/autoupload.js?su85pp"></script> <script src="https://www.si.edu/sites/all/modules/entityreference/js/entityreference.js?su85pp"></script>    <script src="https://www.si.edu/sites/all/libraries/colorbox/jquery.colorbox-min.js?su85pp"></script> <script src="https://www.si.edu/sites/all/modules/colorbox/js/colorbox.js?su85pp"></script> <script src="https://www.si.edu/sites/all/modules/colorbox/styles/default/colorbox_style.js?su85pp"></script> <script src="https://www.si.edu/sites/all/modules/colorbox/js/colorbox_load.js?su85pp"></script> <script src="https://www.si.edu/sites/all/modules/colorbox/js/colorbox_inline.js?su85pp"></script> <script src="https://www.si.edu/sites/all/modules/captcha/captcha.js?su85pp"></script> <script src="https://www.si.edu/sites/all/modules/field_group/field_group.js?su85pp"></script> <script src="https://www.si.edu/sites/all/modules/webform/js/webform.js?su85pp"></script> <script src="https://www.si.edu/sites/all/themes/si_baseline/js/js-cookie/dist/js.cookie.min.js?su85pp"></script> <script src="https://www.si.edu/sites/all/themes/si_baseline/js/si_visit_planner.behaviors.js?su85pp"></script> <script src="https://www.si.edu/sites/all/libraries/superfish/jquery.hoverIntent.minified.js?su85pp"></script> <script src="https://www.si.edu/sites/all/libraries/superfish/sftouchscreen.js?su85pp"></script> <script src="https://www.si.edu/sites/all/libraries/superfish/sfsmallscreen.js?su85pp"></script> <script src="https://www.si.edu/sites/all/libraries/superfish/supposition.js?su85pp"></script> <script src="https://www.si.edu/sites/all/libraries/superfish/superfish.js?su85pp"></script> <script src="https://www.si.edu/sites/all/modules/superfish/superfish.js?su85pp"></script> <script src="https://www.si.edu/sites/all/themes/si_baseline/js/luminateExtend.min.js?su85pp"></script> <script src="https://www.si.edu/sites/all/themes/si_baseline/js/modernizr-custom.min.js?su85pp"></script> <script src="https://www.si.edu/sites/all/themes/si_baseline/js/ScrollMagic.min.js?su85pp"></script> <script src="https://www.si.edu/sites/all/themes/si_baseline/js/uisearch.js?su85pp"></script> <script src="https://www.si.edu/sites/all/themes/si_baseline/js/si_baseline.behaviors.js?su85pp"></script> <script>jQuery.extend(Drupal.settings, {"basePath":"\/","pathPrefix":"","setHasJsCookie":0,"colorbox":{"transition":"elastic","speed":"350","opacity":"0.60","slideshow":false,"slideshowAuto":true,"slideshowSpeed":"2500","slideshowStart":"start slideshow","slideshowStop":"stop slideshow","current":"{current} of {total}","previous":"\u00ab Prev","next":"Next \u00bb","close":"Close","overlayClose":true,"returnFocus":true,"maxWidth":"1920px","maxHeight":"90%","initialWidth":"300","initialHeight":"250","fixed":true,"scrolling":true,"mobiledetect":true,"mobiledevicewidth":"670px","file_public_path":"\/sites\/default\/files","specificPagesDefaultValue":"admin*\nimagebrowser*\nimg_assist*\nimce*\nnode\/add\/*\nnode\/*\/edit\nprint\/*\nprintpdf\/*\nsystem\/ajax\nsystem\/ajax\/*"},"field_group":{"html-element":"full"},"better_exposed_filters":{"views":{"website_notifications":{"displays":{"block":{"filters":[]}}},"promotions":{"displays":{"lightbox":{"filters":[]}}}}},"urlIsAjaxTrusted":{"\/about":true,"\/search":true},"siTheme":{"logo_path":"\/sites\/all\/themes\/si_baseline\/images\/logos\/logo.png"},"superfish":{"1":{"id":"1","sf":{"animation":{"opacity":"show","height":"show"},"speed":"fast","autoArrows":false,"dropShadows":false},"plugins":{"touchscreen":{"behaviour":"0","mode":"window_width","breakpoint":1200,"breakpointUnit":"px"},"smallscreen":{"mode":"window_width","breakpoint":1200,"breakpointUnit":"px","title":"Main menu"},"supposition":true}}}});</script> </head> <body class="html not-front not-logged-in page-node page-node- page-node-9 node-type-page section-about"> <a href="#main-content" class="element-invisible element-focusable">Skip to main content</a> <noscript aria-hidden="true"><iframe src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/ns.html?id=GTM-TT2JWKJ" height="0" width="0" style="display:none;visibility:hidden"></iframe></noscript> <div class="wrapper--page"> <header class="l-header " role="banner"> <div class="l-header-preface-wrapper"> <div class="l-container"> <div class="l-region l-region--header-preface-right"> <div class="inner"> <div id="block-edan-searchtab-edan-searchtab-block-search-form" class="block block--edan-searchtab block--edan-searchtab-edan-searchtab-block-search-form"> <h2 class="element-invisible block__title">Search</h2> <form class="edan-search-form edan-searchtab-search-form-block search-form edan-searchtab-search-form" autocomplete="off" action="/search" method="post" id="edan-searchtab-search-form" accept-charset="UTF-8"><div><div class="form-item form-type-textfield form-item-edan-q"> <label class="element-invisible" for="edit-edan-q">Search </label> <input placeholder="Enter your search terms" type="text" id="edit-edan-q" name="edan_q" value="" size="60" maxlength="128" class="form-text" /> </div> <div class="si-email-textfield" tabindex="-1" aria-hidden="true"><div class="form-item form-type-textfield form-item-email-edan"> <label for="edit-email-edan">What is 2+5? </label> <input autocomplete="off" tabindex="-1" type="text" id="edit-email-edan" name="email_edan" value="" size="15" maxlength="128" class="form-text" /> </div> </div><input type="hidden" name="form_build_id" value="form-tUdpmzEfQ4fHVOv2hujX_uM1lGwAtoV8D0fP0XnM-tI" /> <input type="hidden" name="form_id" value="edan_searchtab_search_form" /> <div class="form-actions form-wrapper" id="edit-actions"><button class="submit form-submit search btn-svg" type="submit" id="edit-submit" name="op" value="Search"> <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 24 24" role="img" aria-labelledby="edit-submit--search"><title id="edit-submit--search">Search</title> <path class="fill" d="M15.5,14H14.71l-0.28-.27a6.51,6.51,0,1,0-.7.7L14,14.71V15.5l5,5L20.49,19Zm-6,0A4.5,4.5,0,1,1,14,9.5,4.49,4.49,0,0,1,9.5,14Z" fill="#fff" /> <path d="M0,0H24V24H0V0Z" fill="none" /> </svg> </button></div></div></form></div> <div id="block-si-custom-si-my-visit-link" class="block block--si-custom block--si-custom-si-my-visit-link"> <a href="/myvisit" class="si-myvisit-link"><span class="fa fa-heart" aria-hidden="true"></span>My Visit</a></div> <div id="block-block-13" class="block block--block block--block-13"> <a class="donate-btn" href="http://go.si.edu/si-give" target="_blank">Donate</a> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="l-header-inner l-container"> <div class="l-branding"> <a href="/" title="Home" rel="home" class="site-logo"><img src="/sites/all/themes/si_baseline/images/logos/logo.svg" alt="Home" /> <span class="sr-only">Smithsonian Institution</span> </a> </div> <div class="l-region l-region--header"> <div id="block-superfish-1" class="block block--superfish block--superfish-1 robots-noindex"> <h2 class="block__title element-invisible">Site Navigation</h2> <nav aria-labelledby="block-superfish-1"><ul id="superfish-1" class="menu sf-menu sf-main-menu sf-horizontal sf-style-none"><li id="menu-1583-1" class="first odd sf-item-1 sf-depth-1 menuparent"><a href="/visit" class="sf-depth-1 menuparent">Visit</a><ul><li id="menu-16408-1" class="first odd sf-item-1 sf-depth-2 sf-no-children"><a href="/visit/museums" class="sf-depth-2">Museums and Zoo</a></li><li id="menu-3873-1" class="middle even sf-item-2 sf-depth-2 sf-no-children"><a href="/visit/tips" class="sf-depth-2">Entry and Guidelines</a></li><li id="menu-12976-1" class="middle odd sf-item-3 sf-depth-2 sf-no-children"><a href="/visit/maps" class="sf-depth-2">Maps and Brochures</a></li><li id="menu-1862-1" class="middle even sf-item-4 sf-depth-2 sf-no-children"><a href="/dining" class="sf-depth-2">Dine and Shop</a></li><li id="menu-12091-1" class="middle odd sf-item-5 sf-depth-2 sf-no-children"><a href="/visit/accessibility" class="sf-depth-2">Accessibility</a></li><li id="menu-3879-1" class="middle even sf-item-6 sf-depth-2 sf-no-children"><a href="/visit/kids" class="sf-depth-2">Visiting with Kids</a></li><li id="menu-3880-1" class="last odd sf-item-7 sf-depth-2 menuparent"><a href="/visit/groups" class="sf-depth-2 menuparent">Group Visits</a><ul><li id="menu-3594-1" class="firstandlast odd sf-item-1 sf-depth-3 sf-no-children"><a href="/groupsales" class="sf-depth-3">Group Sales</a></li></ul></li></ul></li><li id="menu-3462-1" class="middle even sf-item-2 sf-depth-1 menuparent"><a href="/whats-on" class="sf-depth-1 menuparent">What's On</a><ul><li id="menu-3905-1" class="first odd sf-item-1 sf-depth-2 menuparent"><a href="/exhibitions" class="sf-depth-2 menuparent">Exhibitions</a><ul><li id="menu-4468-1" class="first odd sf-item-1 sf-depth-3 sf-no-children"><a href="/exhibitions" class="sf-depth-3">Current</a></li><li id="menu-4469-1" class="middle even sf-item-2 sf-depth-3 sf-no-children"><a href="/exhibitions/upcoming" class="sf-depth-3">Upcoming</a></li><li id="menu-4470-1" class="last odd sf-item-3 sf-depth-3 sf-no-children"><a href="/exhibitions/past" class="sf-depth-3">Past</a></li></ul></li><li id="menu-14938-1" class="middle even sf-item-2 sf-depth-2 sf-no-children"><a href="/events/online" class="sf-depth-2">Online Events</a></li><li id="menu-4113-1" class="middle odd sf-item-3 sf-depth-2 sf-no-children"><a href="/events" class="sf-depth-2">All Events</a></li><li id="menu-3466-1" class="last even sf-item-4 sf-depth-2 sf-no-children"><a href="/imax" class="sf-depth-2">IMAX & Planetarium</a></li></ul></li><li id="menu-3433-1" class="middle odd sf-item-3 sf-depth-1 menuparent"><a href="/explore" class="sf-depth-1 menuparent">Explore</a><ul><li id="menu-3764-1" class="first odd sf-item-1 sf-depth-2 sf-no-children"><a href="/explore/art" class="sf-depth-2">- Art & Design</a></li><li id="menu-3079-1" class="middle even sf-item-2 sf-depth-2 sf-no-children"><a href="/explore/history" class="sf-depth-2">- History & Culture</a></li><li id="menu-3765-1" class="middle odd sf-item-3 sf-depth-2"><a href="/explore/science" class="sf-depth-2">- Science & Nature</a></li><li id="menu-3129-1" class="middle even sf-item-4 sf-depth-2 menuparent"><a href="/collections" class="sf-depth-2 menuparent">Collections</a><ul><li id="menu-14554-1" class="firstandlast odd sf-item-1 sf-depth-3 sf-no-children"><a href="/openaccess" class="sf-depth-3">Open Access</a></li></ul></li><li id="menu-3463-1" class="middle odd sf-item-5 sf-depth-2 menuparent"><a href="/researchers" class="sf-depth-2 menuparent">Research Resources</a><ul><li id="menu-3907-1" class="first odd sf-item-1 sf-depth-3 sf-no-children"><a href="https://library.si.edu/" class="sf-depth-3">Libraries</a></li><li id="menu-3419-1" class="last even sf-item-2 sf-depth-3 menuparent"><a href="/siasc" class="sf-depth-3 menuparent">Archives</a><ul><li id="menu-3572-1" class="first odd sf-item-1 sf-depth-4 sf-no-children"><a href="/siasc/si_archives" class="sf-depth-4">Smithsonian Institution Archives</a></li><li id="menu-3428-1" class="middle even sf-item-2 sf-depth-4 sf-no-children"><a href="/siasc/nasm_archives" class="sf-depth-4">Air and Space Museum</a></li><li id="menu-3420-1" class="middle odd sf-item-3 sf-depth-4 sf-no-children"><a href="/siasc/acma" class="sf-depth-4">Anacostia Community Museum</a></li><li id="menu-3571-1" class="middle even sf-item-4 sf-depth-4 sf-no-children"><a href="/siasc/saam" class="sf-depth-4">American Art Museum</a></li><li id="menu-3422-1" class="middle odd sf-item-5 sf-depth-4 sf-no-children"><a href="/siasc/aaa" class="sf-depth-4">Archives of American Art</a></li><li id="menu-3421-1" class="middle even sf-item-6 sf-depth-4 sf-no-children"><a href="/siasc/american_gardens" class="sf-depth-4">Archives of American Gardens</a></li><li id="menu-3423-1" class="middle odd sf-item-7 sf-depth-4 sf-no-children"><a href="/siasc/archives_center" class="sf-depth-4">American History Museum</a></li><li id="menu-3468-1" class="middle even sf-item-8 sf-depth-4 sf-no-children"><a href="/siasc/nmai" class="sf-depth-4">American Indian Museum</a></li><li id="menu-3425-1" class="middle odd sf-item-9 sf-depth-4 sf-no-children"><a href="/siasc/freer_sackler" class="sf-depth-4">Asian Art Museum Archives</a></li><li id="menu-3424-1" class="middle even sf-item-10 sf-depth-4 sf-no-children"><a href="/siasc/eepa_nmafa" class="sf-depth-4">Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives, African Art</a></li><li id="menu-3426-1" class="middle odd sf-item-11 sf-depth-4 sf-no-children"><a href="/siasc/hmsg_archive" class="sf-depth-4">Hirshhorn Archive</a></li><li id="menu-3467-1" class="middle even sf-item-12 sf-depth-4 sf-no-children"><a href="/siasc/naa" class="sf-depth-4">National Anthropological Archives</a></li><li id="menu-3477-1" class="middle odd sf-item-13 sf-depth-4 sf-no-children"><a href="/siasc/npg" class="sf-depth-4">National Portrait Gallery</a></li><li id="menu-3478-1" class="middle even sf-item-14 sf-depth-4 sf-no-children"><a href="/siasc/rrfa_archive" class="sf-depth-4">Ralph Rinzler Archives, Folklife</a></li><li id="menu-3573-1" class="last odd sf-item-15 sf-depth-4 sf-no-children"><a href="/siasc/si_libraries" class="sf-depth-4">Libraries' Special Collections</a></li></ul></li></ul></li><li id="menu-3878-1" class="last even sf-item-6 sf-depth-2 sf-no-children"><a href="/podcasts" class="sf-depth-2">Podcasts</a></li></ul></li><li id="menu-3769-1" class="middle even sf-item-4 sf-depth-1 menuparent"><a href="/learn" class="sf-depth-1 menuparent">Learn</a><ul><li id="menu-20305-1" class="first odd sf-item-1 sf-depth-2 sf-no-children"><a href="/learn/parents-and-caregivers" class="sf-depth-2">For Caregivers</a></li><li id="menu-12928-1" class="middle even sf-item-2 sf-depth-2 menuparent"><a href="/educators" class="sf-depth-2 menuparent">For Educators</a><ul><li id="menu-20221-1" class="first odd sf-item-1 sf-depth-3 sf-no-children"><a href="/educators/art-resources" class="sf-depth-3">Art & Design Resources</a></li><li id="menu-20224-1" class="middle even sf-item-2 sf-depth-3 sf-no-children"><a href="/educators/science-resources" class="sf-depth-3">Science & Nature Resources</a></li><li id="menu-20227-1" class="middle odd sf-item-3 sf-depth-3 sf-no-children"><a href="/educators/social-studies-resources" class="sf-depth-3">Social Studies & Civics Resources</a></li><li id="menu-12937-1" class="middle even sf-item-4 sf-depth-3 sf-no-children"><a href="/educators/professional-development" class="sf-depth-3">Professional Development</a></li><li id="menu-12943-1" class="middle odd sf-item-5 sf-depth-3 sf-no-children"><a href="/educators/events" class="sf-depth-3">Events for Educators</a></li><li id="menu-12934-1" class="last even sf-item-6 sf-depth-3 sf-no-children"><a href="/visit/field-trip" class="sf-depth-3">Field Trips</a></li></ul></li><li id="menu-20308-1" class="middle odd sf-item-3 sf-depth-2 sf-no-children"><a href="/learn/students" class="sf-depth-2">For Students</a></li><li id="menu-20314-1" class="middle even sf-item-4 sf-depth-2 sf-no-children"><a href="/learn/academics" class="sf-depth-2">For Academics</a></li><li id="menu-20311-1" class="last odd sf-item-5 sf-depth-2 sf-no-children"><a href="/learn/lifelong-learners" class="sf-depth-2">For Lifelong Learners</a></li></ul></li><li id="menu-17116-1" class="middle odd sf-item-5 sf-depth-1 menuparent"><a href="/support" class="sf-depth-1 menuparent">Support Us</a><ul><li id="menu-17119-1" class="first odd sf-item-1 sf-depth-2 sf-no-children"><a href="http://go.si.edu/si-join" class="sf-depth-2">Become a Member</a></li><li id="menu-17122-1" class="middle even sf-item-2 sf-depth-2 sf-no-children"><a href="http://go.si.edu/si-renew" class="sf-depth-2">Renew Membership</a></li><li id="menu-17125-1" class="middle odd sf-item-3 sf-depth-2 sf-no-children"><a href="http://go.si.edu/si-gift" class="sf-depth-2">Make a Gift</a></li><li id="menu-3768-1" class="last even sf-item-4 sf-depth-2 menuparent"><a href="/volunteer" class="sf-depth-2 menuparent">Volunteer</a><ul><li id="menu-3665-1" class="first odd sf-item-1 sf-depth-3 sf-no-children"><a href="/volunteer/telephone-information" class="sf-depth-3">Smithsonian Call Center</a></li><li id="menu-20872-1" class="middle even sf-item-2 sf-depth-3 sf-no-children"><a href="/volunteer/ambassador-program" class="sf-depth-3">Ambassador Program</a></li><li id="menu-3476-1" class="middle odd sf-item-3 sf-depth-3 sf-no-children"><a href="/volunteer/museum-information-desk" class="sf-depth-3">Museum Information Desk</a></li><li id="menu-3472-1" class="middle even sf-item-4 sf-depth-3 sf-no-children"><a href="/volunteer/docent" class="sf-depth-3">Docent Programs</a></li><li id="menu-3475-1" class="middle odd sf-item-5 sf-depth-3 sf-no-children"><a href="/volunteer/behind-the-scenes-volunteer" class="sf-depth-3">Behind-the-Scenes</a></li><li id="menu-3473-1" class="middle even sf-item-6 sf-depth-3 sf-no-children"><a href="/volunteer/digitalvolunteers" class="sf-depth-3">Digital Volunteers</a></li><li id="menu-3474-1" class="last odd sf-item-7 sf-depth-3 sf-no-children"><a href="/volunteer/participatory-science" class="sf-depth-3">Participatory Science</a></li></ul></li></ul></li><li id="menu-1582-1" class="active-trail last even sf-item-6 sf-depth-1 menuparent"><a href="/about" class="sf-depth-1 menuparent active">About</a><ul><li id="menu-5771-1" class="first odd sf-item-1 sf-depth-2 menuparent"><a href="/about/administration" class="sf-depth-2 menuparent">Our Organization</a><ul><li id="menu-3398-1" class="first odd sf-item-1 sf-depth-3 menuparent"><a href="/regents" class="sf-depth-3 menuparent">Board of Regents</a><ul><li id="menu-4682-1" class="first odd sf-item-1 sf-depth-4 sf-no-children"><a href="/regents/members" class="sf-depth-4">Members</a></li><li id="menu-4683-1" class="middle even sf-item-2 sf-depth-4 sf-no-children"><a href="/regents/committees" class="sf-depth-4">Committees</a></li><li id="menu-4684-1" class="middle odd sf-item-3 sf-depth-4 sf-no-children"><a href="/regents/otherreading" class="sf-depth-4">Reading Room</a></li><li id="menu-4686-1" class="middle even sf-item-4 sf-depth-4 sf-no-children"><a href="/regents/bylaws" class="sf-depth-4">Bylaws, Policies and Procedures</a></li><li id="menu-4679-1" class="middle odd sf-item-5 sf-depth-4 sf-no-children"><a href="/regents/schedules-and-agendas" class="sf-depth-4">Schedules and Agendas</a></li><li id="menu-4680-1" class="middle even sf-item-6 sf-depth-4 sf-no-children"><a href="/regents/minutes" class="sf-depth-4">Meeting Minutes</a></li><li id="menu-4678-1" class="middle odd sf-item-7 sf-depth-4 sf-no-children"><a href="/regents/actions" class="sf-depth-4">Actions</a></li><li id="menu-4681-1" class="middle even sf-item-8 sf-depth-4 sf-no-children"><a href="/regents/webcasts" class="sf-depth-4">Webcasts</a></li><li id="menu-4685-1" class="last odd sf-item-9 sf-depth-4 sf-no-children"><a href="/regents/contact" class="sf-depth-4">Contact</a></li></ul></li><li id="menu-4480-1" class="middle even sf-item-2 sf-depth-3 sf-no-children"><a href="/about/museums" class="sf-depth-3">Museums and Zoo</a></li><li id="menu-1828-1" class="middle odd sf-item-3 sf-depth-3 sf-no-children"><a href="/researchcenters" class="sf-depth-3">Research Centers</a></li><li id="menu-3651-1" class="middle even sf-item-4 sf-depth-3 sf-no-children"><a href="/cultural-centers" class="sf-depth-3">Cultural Centers</a></li><li id="menu-3166-1" class="middle odd sf-item-5 sf-depth-3 sf-no-children"><a href="/education" class="sf-depth-3">Education Centers</a></li><li id="menu-3406-1" class="middle even sf-item-6 sf-depth-3 menuparent"><a href="/ogc" class="sf-depth-3 menuparent">General Counsel</a><ul><li id="menu-3407-1" class="first odd sf-item-1 sf-depth-4 sf-no-children"><a href="/ogc/legalhistory" class="sf-depth-4">Legal History</a></li><li id="menu-3408-1" class="middle even sf-item-2 sf-depth-4 sf-no-children"><a href="/ogc/internships-office-general-counsel" class="sf-depth-4">Internships</a></li><li id="menu-3409-1" class="middle odd sf-item-3 sf-depth-4 menuparent"><a href="/ogc/records-requests" class="sf-depth-4 menuparent">Records Requests</a><ul><li id="menu-4886-1" class="firstandlast odd sf-item-1 sf-depth-5 sf-no-children"><a href="/ogc/records-reading-room" class="sf-depth-5">Reading Room</a></li></ul></li><li id="menu-3410-1" class="middle even sf-item-4 sf-depth-4 sf-no-children"><a href="/ogc/tort-claim" class="sf-depth-4">Tort Claim</a></li><li id="menu-4479-1" class="middle odd sf-item-5 sf-depth-4 sf-no-children"><a href="/ogc/responding-subpoenas" class="sf-depth-4">Subpoenas & Testimonies</a></li><li id="menu-3411-1" class="last even sf-item-6 sf-depth-4 sf-no-children"><a href="/ogc/office-general-counsel-events" class="sf-depth-4">Events</a></li></ul></li><li id="menu-19006-1" class="middle odd sf-item-7 sf-depth-3 menuparent"><a href="/ohr" class="sf-depth-3 menuparent">Office of Human Resources</a><ul><li id="menu-14956-1" class="first odd sf-item-1 sf-depth-4 sf-no-children"><a href="/ohr/benefits" style="hide" class="sf-depth-4">Employee Benefits</a></li><li id="menu-14962-1" class="middle even sf-item-2 sf-depth-4 sf-no-children"><a href="/ohr/howtoapply" class="sf-depth-4">How to Apply</a></li><li id="menu-16354-1" class="middle odd sf-item-3 sf-depth-4 sf-no-children"><a href="/ohr/jobs" class="sf-depth-4">Job Opportunities</a></li><li id="menu-14959-1" class="middle even sf-item-4 sf-depth-4 sf-no-children"><a href="/ohr/disabled" class="sf-depth-4">Job Seekers with Disabilities</a></li><li id="menu-14965-1" class="middle odd sf-item-5 sf-depth-4 sf-no-children"><a href="/ohr/faq" class="sf-depth-4">Frequently Asked Questions</a></li><li id="menu-19390-1" class="middle even sf-item-6 sf-depth-4 sf-no-children"><a href="/si-civil-program" class="sf-depth-4">SI Civil Program</a></li><li id="menu-14968-1" class="last odd sf-item-7 sf-depth-4 sf-no-children"><a href="/ohr/contactus" class="sf-depth-4">Contact Us</a></li></ul></li><li id="menu-5645-1" class="middle even sf-item-8 sf-depth-3 menuparent"><a href="/oeesd" class="sf-depth-3 menuparent">EEO & Supplier Diversity</a><ul><li id="menu-5646-1" class="first odd sf-item-1 sf-depth-4 sf-no-children"><a href="/oeesd/eeocomplaintprocess" class="sf-depth-4">EEO Complaint Process</a></li><li id="menu-5647-1" class="middle even sf-item-2 sf-depth-4 sf-no-children"><a href="/oeesd/IndividualswithDisabilities" class="sf-depth-4">Individuals with Disabilities</a></li><li id="menu-5649-1" class="middle odd sf-item-3 sf-depth-4 menuparent"><a href="/oeesd/small-business-program" class="sf-depth-4 menuparent">Small Business Program</a><ul><li id="menu-5767-1" class="first odd sf-item-1 sf-depth-5 sf-no-children"><a href="/oeesd/small-business-registration" class="sf-depth-5">Doing Business with Us</a></li><li id="menu-5768-1" class="middle even sf-item-2 sf-depth-5 sf-no-children"><a href="/oeesd/small-business-opportunities" class="sf-depth-5">Contracting Opportunities</a></li><li id="menu-5650-1" class="last odd sf-item-3 sf-depth-5 sf-no-children"><a href="/oeesd/small-business-resources" class="sf-depth-5">Additional Resources</a></li></ul></li><li id="menu-5648-1" class="last even sf-item-4 sf-depth-4 sf-no-children"><a href="/oeesd/SpecialEmphasisProgram" class="sf-depth-4">Special Emphasis Program</a></li></ul></li><li id="menu-19369-1" class="last odd sf-item-9 sf-depth-3 menuparent"><a href="/osp" class="sf-depth-3 menuparent">Sponsored Projects</a><ul><li id="menu-19372-1" class="first odd sf-item-1 sf-depth-4 menuparent"><a href="/osp/policies" class="sf-depth-4 menuparent">Policies</a><ul><li id="menu-20461-1" class="first odd sf-item-1 sf-depth-5 sf-no-children"><a href="/osp/policies/combating-trafficking-persons" class="sf-depth-5">Combating Trafficking in Persons</a></li><li id="menu-19381-1" class="middle even sf-item-2 sf-depth-5 sf-no-children"><a href="/osp/policies/animal-care" class="sf-depth-5">Animal Care and Use</a></li><li id="menu-19378-1" class="last odd sf-item-3 sf-depth-5 sf-no-children"><a href="/osp/policies/human-subject-research" class="sf-depth-5">Human Research</a></li></ul></li><li id="menu-19375-1" class="middle even sf-item-2 sf-depth-4 sf-no-children"><a href="/osp/reports" class="sf-depth-4">Reports</a></li><li id="menu-19366-1" class="last odd sf-item-3 sf-depth-4 sf-no-children"><a href="/osp/internships" class="sf-depth-4">Internships</a></li></ul></li></ul></li><li id="menu-10267-1" class="middle even sf-item-2 sf-depth-2 sf-no-children"><a href="/about/leadership" class="sf-depth-2">Our Leadership</a></li><li id="menu-3399-1" class="middle odd sf-item-3 sf-depth-2 menuparent"><a href="/about/reports" class="sf-depth-2 menuparent">Reports and Plans</a><ul><li id="menu-3397-1" class="first odd sf-item-1 sf-depth-3 sf-no-children"><a href="/about/annual-report" class="sf-depth-3">Annual Reports</a></li><li id="menu-5118-1" class="middle even sf-item-2 sf-depth-3 menuparent"><a href="/dashboard" class="sf-depth-3 menuparent">Metrics Dashboard</a><ul><li id="menu-5119-1" class="first odd sf-item-1 sf-depth-4 sf-no-children"><a href="/dashboard" class="btn btn-alt btn-large sf-depth-4">Dashboard Home</a></li><li id="menu-13345-1" class="middle even sf-item-2 sf-depth-4 sf-no-children"><a href="/dashboard/virtual-smithsonian" class="btn btn-alt btn-large sf-depth-4">Virtual Smithsonian</a></li><li id="menu-5122-1" class="middle odd sf-item-3 sf-depth-4 sf-no-children"><a href="/dashboard/public-engagement" class="btn btn-alt btn-large sf-depth-4">Public Engagement</a></li><li id="menu-5121-1" class="middle even sf-item-4 sf-depth-4 sf-no-children"><a href="/dashboard/national-collections" class="btn btn-alt btn-large sf-depth-4">National Collections</a></li><li id="menu-5125-1" class="middle odd sf-item-5 sf-depth-4 sf-no-children"><a href="/dashboard/research" class="btn btn-alt btn-large sf-depth-4">Research</a></li><li id="menu-5123-1" class="middle even sf-item-6 sf-depth-4 sf-no-children"><a href="/dashboard/people-operations" class="btn btn-alt btn-large sf-depth-4">People & Operations</a></li><li id="menu-5124-1" class="last odd sf-item-7 sf-depth-4 sf-no-children"><a href="/dashboard/crossing-boundaries" class="btn btn-alt btn-large sf-depth-4">One Smithsonian</a></li></ul></li><li id="menu-6287-1" class="last odd sf-item-3 sf-depth-3 sf-no-children"><a href="/strategicplan-2027" class="sf-depth-3">Strategic Plan</a></li></ul></li><li id="menu-6772-1" class="last even sf-item-4 sf-depth-2 menuparent"><a href="/newsdesk" class="sf-depth-2 menuparent">Newsdesk</a><ul><li id="menu-9097-1" class="first odd sf-item-1 sf-depth-3 sf-no-children"><a href="/newsdesk/releases" class="sf-depth-3">News Releases</a></li><li id="menu-9103-1" class="middle even sf-item-2 sf-depth-3 sf-no-children"><a href="/newsdesk/media-contacts" class="sf-depth-3">Media Contacts</a></li><li id="menu-9106-1" class="middle odd sf-item-3 sf-depth-3 sf-no-children"><a href="/newsdesk/photos" class="sf-depth-3">Photos and Video</a></li><li id="menu-9109-1" class="middle even sf-item-4 sf-depth-3 sf-no-children"><a href="/newsdesk/kits" class="sf-depth-3">Media Kits</a></li><li id="menu-9112-1" class="middle odd sf-item-5 sf-depth-3 sf-no-children"><a href="/newsdesk/factsheets" class="sf-depth-3">Fact Sheets</a></li><li id="menu-9241-1" class="middle even sf-item-6 sf-depth-3 sf-no-children"><a href="/newsdesk/about/stats" class="sf-depth-3">Visitor Stats</a></li><li id="menu-12094-1" class="middle odd sf-item-7 sf-depth-3 sf-no-children"><a href="/newsdesk/admin-bios" class="sf-depth-3">Secretary and Admin Bios</a></li><li id="menu-9115-1" class="last even sf-item-8 sf-depth-3 sf-no-children"><a href="/newsdesk/filming-requests" class="sf-depth-3">Filming Requests</a></li></ul></li></ul></li></ul></nav></div> </div> </div> </header> <div class="l-content-wrapper"> <a id="main-content"></a> <div class="l-main clearfix" role="main"> <div class="l-region--hero"> <div class="panel-pane pane-panels-mini pane-page-header l-container" id="panel-pane-1162" class="panel-pane pane-panels-mini pane-page-header l-container"> <div class="row-1"> <div class="panel-pane pane-node-title" id="panel-pane-358" class="panel-pane pane-node-title"> <h1 class="page-title field">About the Smithsonian</h1> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="layout l-container"> <div class="l-region--main-content col col-md-9"> <div class="panel-pane pane-entity-field pane-node-field-block-content" id="panel-pane-1171" class="panel-pane pane-entity-field pane-node-field-block-content"> <div class="entity entity-paragraphs-item paragraphs-item-text-block bg-none field-bg" id="paragraphs-item-672" class="entity entity-paragraphs-item paragraphs-item-text-block bg-none field-bg"> <div class="content cf"> <p><span class="font-secondary">The Smithsonian Institution is the world’s largest museum, education, and research complex, with 21 museums, 14 education and research centers, and the National Zoo—shaping the future by preserving heritage, discovering new knowledge, and sharing our resources with the world.</span></p> <p>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, an establishment for the increase and diffusion of knowledge.” We continue to honor this mission and invite you to join us in our quest.</p> </div></div> <div class="entity entity-paragraphs-item paragraphs-item-grid-layout col-sm-2 field-grid-col" id="paragraphs-item-795" class="entity entity-paragraphs-item paragraphs-item-grid-layout col-sm-2 field-grid-col"> <div class="field field--name-field-grid-content field--type-paragraphs field--label-hidden content"> <div class="entity entity-paragraphs-item paragraphs-item-image-text-overlay view-mode-grid_view node--teaser-long node--teaser teaser has-media" id="paragraphs-item-914" class="entity entity-paragraphs-item paragraphs-item-image-text-overlay view-mode-grid_view node--teaser-long node--teaser"> <a href="/about/mission" class="inner"> <div class="b-media-wrapper"> <div class="content field field--name-field-image-single field--type-image field--label-hidden"> <img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://www.si.edu/sites/default/files/styles/grid_large/public/dawe011.jpg?itok=mvp-C_Kv" alt="Plexus A1 by Gabriel Dawe, photo Ron Blunt" /> </div> </div> <div class="b-text-wrapper"><div class="required-fields group-wrapper field-group-html-element"> <h3>Purpose and Vision</h3> <p>The increase and diffusion of knowledge.</p> </div></div> <div class="overlay"></div> </a> </div> <div class="entity entity-paragraphs-item paragraphs-item-image-text-overlay view-mode-grid_view node--teaser-long node--teaser teaser has-media" id="paragraphs-item-915" class="entity entity-paragraphs-item paragraphs-item-image-text-overlay view-mode-grid_view node--teaser-long node--teaser"> <a href="/about/history" class="inner"> <div class="b-media-wrapper"> <div class="content field field--name-field-image-single field--type-image field--label-hidden"> <img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://www.si.edu/sites/default/files/styles/grid_large/public/starspangledbanner-sib.jpg?itok=HZ4Cz0XK" alt="Star-Spangled Banner in Castle 1914" /> </div> </div> <div class="b-text-wrapper"><div class="required-fields group-wrapper field-group-html-element"> <h3>Our History</h3> <p>Learn about our beginning with James Smithson’s bequest to the people of the United States.</p> </div></div> <div class="overlay"></div> </a> </div> <div class="entity entity-paragraphs-item paragraphs-item-image-text-overlay view-mode-grid_view node--teaser-long node--teaser teaser has-media" id="paragraphs-item-793" class="entity entity-paragraphs-item paragraphs-item-image-text-overlay view-mode-grid_view node--teaser-long node--teaser"> <a href="/about/museums" class="inner"> <div class="b-media-wrapper"> <div class="content field field--name-field-image-single field--type-image field--label-hidden"> <img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://www.si.edu/sites/default/files/styles/grid_large/public/img_4471.jpg?itok=9Ld6kLJm&c=90f127473247d2dbeb600c4af004e025" alt="aerial view of Castle" /> </div> </div> <div class="b-text-wrapper"><div class="required-fields group-wrapper field-group-html-element"> <h3>Museums and Zoo</h3> <p>The Smithsonian is home to 21 museums and galleries and the National Zoo.</p> </div></div> <div class="overlay"></div> </a> </div> <div class="entity entity-paragraphs-item paragraphs-item-image-text-overlay view-mode-grid_view node--teaser-long node--teaser teaser has-media" id="paragraphs-item-794" class="entity entity-paragraphs-item paragraphs-item-image-text-overlay view-mode-grid_view node--teaser-long node--teaser"> <a href="/researchcenters" class="inner"> <div class="b-media-wrapper"> <div class="content field field--name-field-image-single field--type-image field--label-hidden"> <img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://www.si.edu/sites/default/files/styles/grid_large/public/zebras-zoo-630x4731.jpg?itok=RDB6Lx0d" alt="Zebras at SCBI" /> </div> </div> <div class="b-text-wrapper"><div class="required-fields group-wrapper field-group-html-element"> <h3>Research Centers</h3> <p>The Smithsonian is one of the world’s foremost research centers in science, the arts, and the humanities.</p> </div></div> <div class="overlay"></div> </a> </div> <div class="entity entity-paragraphs-item paragraphs-item-image-text-overlay view-mode-grid_view node--teaser-long node--teaser teaser has-media" id="paragraphs-item-796" class="entity entity-paragraphs-item paragraphs-item-image-text-overlay view-mode-grid_view node--teaser-long node--teaser"> <a href="/cultural-centers" class="inner"> <div class="b-media-wrapper"> <div class="content field field--name-field-image-single field--type-image field--label-hidden"> <img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://www.si.edu/sites/default/files/styles/grid_large/public/2009_image2.jpg?itok=_0zzrGWm" alt="2009 Festival" /> </div> </div> <div class="b-text-wrapper"><div class="required-fields group-wrapper field-group-html-element"> <h3>Cultural Centers</h3> <p>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.</p> </div></div> <div class="overlay"></div> </a> </div> <div class="entity entity-paragraphs-item paragraphs-item-image-text-overlay view-mode-grid_view node--teaser-long node--teaser teaser has-media" id="paragraphs-item-797" class="entity entity-paragraphs-item paragraphs-item-image-text-overlay view-mode-grid_view node--teaser-long node--teaser"> <a href="/education" class="inner"> <div class="b-media-wrapper"> <div class="content field field--name-field-image-single field--type-image field--label-hidden"> <img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://www.si.edu/sites/default/files/styles/grid_large/public/sa_inside_image_1.jpg?itok=hzGIzODB&c=a8899440b648ec2438512e285b9e7857" alt="SA youth" /> </div> </div> <div class="b-text-wrapper"><div class="required-fields group-wrapper field-group-html-element"> <h3>Education Centers</h3> <p>Education is at the core of our mission, from informal education opportunities for all to lesson plans and professional development for teachers.</p> </div></div> <div class="overlay"></div> </a> </div> <div class="entity entity-paragraphs-item paragraphs-item-image-text-overlay view-mode-grid_view node--teaser-long node--teaser teaser has-media" id="paragraphs-item-922" class="entity entity-paragraphs-item paragraphs-item-image-text-overlay view-mode-grid_view node--teaser-long node--teaser"> <a href="/collections" class="inner"> <div class="b-media-wrapper"> <div class="content field field--name-field-image-single field--type-image field--label-hidden"> <img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://www.si.edu/sites/default/files/styles/grid_large/public/coleoptera.png?itok=IXeA5OLE" alt="coleoptera" /> </div> </div> <div class="b-text-wrapper"><div class="required-fields group-wrapper field-group-html-element"> <h3>Collections</h3> <p>Our collections represent our nation's rich heritage, art from across the globe, and the immense diversity of the natural and cultural world.</p> </div></div> <div class="overlay"></div> </a> </div> <div class="entity entity-paragraphs-item paragraphs-item-image-text-overlay view-mode-grid_view node--teaser-long node--teaser teaser has-media" id="paragraphs-item-923" class="entity entity-paragraphs-item paragraphs-item-image-text-overlay view-mode-grid_view node--teaser-long node--teaser"> <a href="https://global.si.edu/" class="inner"> <div class="b-media-wrapper"> <div class="content field field--name-field-image-single field--type-image field--label-hidden"> <img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://www.si.edu/sites/default/files/styles/grid_large/public/tsaatan-guides.jpg?itok=DLbI_I4o&c=cf223ff66f24cbda9b1ed4d618c840ff" alt="Tsaatan guides with their wives, children, and reindeer, Darkhad Valley, northern Mongolia, Sept 2009. Credit: Paula DePriest" /> </div> </div> <div class="b-text-wrapper"><div class="required-fields group-wrapper field-group-html-element"> <h3>Smithsonian Global</h3> <p>The Smithsonian is a global organization actively involved in conserving biodiversity, priceless art, and much more.</p> </div></div> <div class="overlay"></div> </a> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="l-region--right-aside col col-md-3 last-md"> <div class="panel-pane pane-menu-tree pane-main-menu side-nav wrapper--superfish" id="panel-pane-1177" class="panel-pane pane-menu-tree pane-main-menu side-nav wrapper--superfish"> <div class="menu-block-wrapper menu-block-ctools-main-menu-1 menu-name-main-menu parent-mlid-0 menu-level-2"> <ul class="menu"><li class="first expanded menu-mlid-5771"><a href="/about/administration"><span class="menu-title">Our Organization</span></a><ul class="menu"><li class="first collapsed menu-mlid-3398"><a href="/regents"><span class="menu-title">Board of Regents</span></a></li> <li class="leaf menu-mlid-4480"><a href="/about/museums"><span class="menu-title">Museums and Zoo</span></a></li> <li class="leaf menu-mlid-1828"><a href="/researchcenters"><span class="menu-title">Research Centers</span></a></li> <li class="leaf menu-mlid-3651"><a href="/cultural-centers"><span class="menu-title">Cultural Centers</span></a></li> <li class="leaf menu-mlid-3166"><a href="/education"><span class="menu-title">Education Centers</span></a></li> <li class="collapsed menu-mlid-3406"><a href="/ogc"><span class="menu-title">General Counsel</span></a></li> <li class="collapsed menu-mlid-19006"><a href="/ohr"><span class="menu-title">Office of Human Resources</span></a></li> <li class="collapsed menu-mlid-5645"><a href="/oeesd"><span class="menu-title">EEO & Supplier Diversity</span></a></li> <li class="last collapsed menu-mlid-19369"><a href="/osp"><span class="menu-title">Sponsored Projects</span></a></li> </ul></li> <li class="leaf menu-mlid-10267"><a href="/about/leadership"><span class="menu-title">Our Leadership</span></a></li> <li class="expanded menu-mlid-3399"><a href="/about/reports"><span class="menu-title">Reports and Plans</span></a><ul class="menu"><li class="first leaf menu-mlid-3397"><a href="/about/annual-report"><span class="menu-title">Annual Reports</span></a></li> <li class="collapsed menu-mlid-5118"><a href="/dashboard"><span class="menu-title">Metrics Dashboard</span></a></li> <li class="last leaf menu-mlid-6287"><a href="/strategicplan-2027"><span class="menu-title">Strategic Plan</span></a></li> </ul></li> <li class="last collapsed menu-mlid-6772"><a href="/newsdesk"><span class="menu-title">Newsdesk</span></a></li> </ul></div> </div> <div class="panel-pane pane-entity-field pane-node-field-column-one" id="panel-pane-1180" class="panel-pane pane-entity-field pane-node-field-column-one"> <div class="entity entity-paragraphs-item paragraphs-item-text-block bg-none field-bg hide field-class" id="paragraphs-item-673" class="entity entity-paragraphs-item paragraphs-item-text-block bg-none field-bg hide field-class"> <p><img alt="" src="https://www.si.edu/Content/img/About/smithsonian-castle.jpg" /></p> <h3>Smithsonian at a Glance</h3> <p><strong>21</strong> Museums + <strong>1</strong> Zoo</p> <p><strong>157.3M</strong> Museum Objects<br /> & Specimens</p> <p><strong>2.3M</strong> Library Volumes</p> <p><b>152,500</b> cubic feet of archives</p> <div> <p>For more Smithsonian numbers visit the <a href="https://www.si.edu/dashboard">Smithsonian Metrics Dashboard.</a></p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <footer class="l-footer"> <div class="l-container l-region l-region--footer"> <div id="block-panels-mini-footer" class="block block--panels-mini block--panels-mini-footer"> <div class="panel-2col-stacked clearfix panel-display" id="mini-panel-footer"> <div class="panel-col-top panel-panel"> <div class="l-container"><div class="panel-pane pane-block pane-block-1" id="panel-pane-355" class="panel-pane pane-block pane-block-1"> <h2 class="pane-title element-invisible" id="footer-logo"> Footer logo </h2> <div aria-labelledby="footer-logo"><p class="logo-wrapper" style="max-height:100px;"><a class="si-logo" href="/"><span class="sr-only">Link to homepage</span></a></p> </div> </div> <div class="panel-pane pane-block pane-menu-menu-footer robots-noindex" id="panel-pane-356" class="panel-pane pane-block pane-menu-menu-footer robots-noindex"> <h3 class="pane-title element-invisible" id="footer-navigation"> Footer navigation </h3> <nav aria-labelledby="footer-navigation"><ul class="menu"><li class="first leaf"><a href="/contacts"><span class="menu-title">Contact Us</span></a></li> <li class="leaf"><a href="/ohr/jobs"><span class="menu-title">Job Opportunities</span></a></li> <li class="leaf"><a href="/getinvolved"><span class="menu-title">Get Involved</span></a></li> <li class="leaf"><a href="https://oig.si.edu"><span class="menu-title">Inspector General</span></a></li> <li class="leaf"><a href="/ogc/records-requests"><span class="menu-title">Records Requests</span></a></li> <li class="leaf"><a href="/faqs/access"><span class="menu-title">Accessibility</span></a></li> <li class="leaf"><a href="/oeesd"><span class="menu-title">EEO & Supplier Diversity</span></a></li> <li class="leaf"><a href="/shop"><span class="menu-title">Shop Online</span></a></li> <li class="leaf"><a href="/specialevents"><span class="menu-title">Host Your Event</span></a></li> <li class="leaf"><a href="/newsdesk"><span class="menu-title">Press Room</span></a></li> <li class="leaf"><a href="/privacy"><span class="menu-title">Privacy</span></a></li> <li class="last leaf"><a href="/termsofuse"><span class="menu-title">Terms of Use</span></a></li> </ul></nav> </div> </div> </div> <div class="panel-col-bottom panel-panel"> <div class="panel-pane pane-block pane-menu-menu-social-media robots-noindex" id="panel-pane-354" class="panel-pane pane-block pane-menu-menu-social-media robots-noindex"> <h3 class="pane-title element-invisible" id="social-media-links"> Social media links </h3> <nav aria-labelledby="social-media-links"><ul class="menu"><li class="first leaf"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/Smithsonian" title="Facebook" class="fa fa-facebook-f fa-brands" target="_blank"><span class="menu-title">Facebook</span></a></li> <li class="leaf"><a href="https://instagram.com/smithsonian" class="fa-brands fa-instagram"><span class="menu-title">Instagram</span></a></li> <li class="leaf"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/c/smithsonian" class="fa-brands fa-youtube"><span class="menu-title">YouTube</span></a></li> <li class="last leaf"><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/smithsonian-institution" class="fa-brands fa-linkedin" target="_blank"><span class="menu-title">LinkedIn</span></a></li> </ul></nav> </div> <div class="panel-pane pane-block pane-webform-client-block-682426" id="panel-pane-1552" class="panel-pane pane-block pane-webform-client-block-682426"> <div id="node-682426" class="node node--webform node--promoted node--full node--webform--full clearfix" about="/webform/get-latest-news-smithsonian" typeof="sioc:Item foaf:Document" role="article" class="node node--webform node--promoted node--full node--webform--full"> <h2 class="node__title"><a href="/webform/get-latest-news-smithsonian">Get the latest news from the Smithsonian</a></h2> <span property="dc:title" content="Get the latest news from the Smithsonian" class="rdf-meta element-hidden"></span> <div class="content" class="node__content"> <p><a class="btn green colorbox-inline newsletter-signup" href="?width=700&height=425&inline=true#webform-client-form-682426">Sign up for Smithsonian e-news</a></p> <div class="group-webform-wrapper field-group-html-element" id="newsletter-signup-form"><form class="webform-client-form webform-client-form-682426 webform-client-form-682426" action="/about" method="post" id="webform-client-form-682426" accept-charset="UTF-8"><div><div class="form-item webform-component webform-component-markup webform-component--title"> <h2 class="title">Get the latest news from the Smithsonian</h2> </div> <div class="form-item webform-component webform-component-email webform-component--si-email-signup-form webform-container-inline"> <label for="edit-submitted-si-email-signup-form">Sign up for Smithsonian e-news: <span class="form-required" title="This field is required.">*</span></label> <input required="required" class="email form-text form-email required" type="email" id="edit-submitted-si-email-signup-form" name="submitted[si_email_signup_form]" size="60" /> <div class="description">Email powered by BlackBaud (Privacy Policy, Terms of Use)</div> </div> <div class="form-item webform-component webform-component-markup webform-component--msg-container"> </div> <input type="hidden" name="details[sid]" /> <input type="hidden" name="details[page_num]" value="1" /> <input type="hidden" name="details[page_count]" value="1" /> <input type="hidden" name="details[finished]" value="0" /> <input type="hidden" name="form_build_id" value="form-EoeKO7wcnYjYJGerUP86_WuqHY2j4K7nOhzB0o3c7a4" /> <input type="hidden" name="form_id" value="webform_client_form_682426" /> <fieldset class="captcha form-wrapper"><legend><span class="fieldset-legend">CAPTCHA</span></legend><div class="fieldset-wrapper"><div class="fieldset-description">This question is for testing whether or not you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions.</div><input type="hidden" name="captcha_sid" value="399031293" /> <input type="hidden" name="captcha_token" value="f7fbcd3e3876288c9ba8eff1dd735734" /> <input type="hidden" name="captcha_response" value="Google no captcha" /> <div class="g-recaptcha" data-sitekey="6LfgLRkUAAAAAP_vdq2zcO4mnPVvqqxDXyINJVEJ" data-theme="light" data-type="image"></div><noscript> <div style="width: 302px; height: 352px;"> <div style="width: 302px; height: 352px; position: relative;"> <div style="width: 302px; height: 352px; position: absolute;"> <iframe src="https://www.google.com/recaptcha/api/fallback?k=6LfgLRkUAAAAAP_vdq2zcO4mnPVvqqxDXyINJVEJ&hl=en" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" style="width: 302px; height:352px; border-style: none;"></iframe> </div> <div style="width: 250px; height: 80px; position: absolute; border-style: none; bottom: 21px; left: 25px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; right: 25px;"> <textarea id="g-recaptcha-response" name="g-recaptcha-response" class="g-recaptcha-response" style="width: 250px; height: 80px; border: 1px solid #c1c1c1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; resize: none;" value=""></textarea> </div> </div> </div> </noscript> <input type="hidden" name="captcha_cacheable" value="1" /> </div></fieldset> <div class="form-actions"><input class="webform-submit button-primary form-submit " type="submit" name="op" value=">>" /></div></div></form></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </footer> <div class="region--postscript"> <div> <a href="#main-content" class="page-nav" id="back-to-top"><span class="icon"></span><span class="text">Back to Top</span> </a> </div> </div> </div>   <script> window.webtrendsAsyncInit=function(){ var dcs=new Webtrends.dcs().init({ dcsid:"dcsuft0skadzpxvkk977nydg5_3r1t", domain:"logs1.smithsonian.museum", timezone:-5, i18n:true, fpcdom:".si.edu", plugins:{ } }).track(); }; (function(){ var s=document.createElement("script"); s.async=true; s.src="https://www.si.edu/sites/all/modules/si_webtrends/js/webtrends.min.js"; var s2=document.getElementsByTagName("script")[0]; s2.parentNode.insertBefore(s,s2); }()); </script> <noscript><img alt="dcsimg" id="dcsimg" width="1" height="1" src="//logs1.smithsonian.museum/dcsuft0skadzpxvkk977nydg5_3r1t/njs.gif?dcsuri=/nojavascript&WT.js=No&WT.tv=10.4.23&dcssip=si.edu"/></noscript>  <script src="https://www.si.edu/sites/all/themes/si_baseline/js/si_promo.js?su85pp"></script> <script src="https://www.si.edu/sites/all/themes/si_baseline/js/colorbox-gs.js?su85pp"></script> <script src="https://www.si.edu/sites/all/themes/si_baseline/js/si_views.js?su85pp"></script> </body> </html>