How an Engraving of Queen Victoria Ushered in the Era of the Bouquet Holder in England
The monarch set fashion trends during her time, and the flower holder became a sought-after accessory...
Can Insects See Color? And More Questions From Our Readers
You’ve got questions. We’ve got experts
A Federal Agent’s Laptop Held the Keys to Seize $3.6 Billion in Stolen Bitcoin. Here’s How It Ended Up at the Smithsonian
Soon to be on display at the National Museum of American History, the laptop is the...
The ‘Penicillin Girls’ Made One of the World’s Most Life-Saving Discoveries Possible
The true, forgotten and sometimes-stinky history of the cohort who took Alexander Fleming's innovation and forever...
Discover the Remarkable Paintings of Three Japanese Americans Whose Life Stories Are Told Through Their Work
A new exhibition spotlights a trio who pushed the boundaries of American art and illustrated the...
See a Film That Reimagines History on the Malaysian Island That Served as a Refugee Site After the Vietnam War
The work, now on view at the Smithsonian American Art Museum, tells the story of two...
This Stunning New Atlas Explores Humanity’s Ancient Relationship With Space and the Universe
Written by the former chief historian of NASA, the book examines the evolution of our cosmic...
Quincy Jones Was a ‘Musician’s Musician’ Who Was Uniquely Beloved in the Cutthroat Music Industry
A Smithsonian curator reflects back on the artistic legend, a "Renaissance man" with 28 Grammys to...
See What Happened When One Museum Asked Artists to Define ‘Home’
The Smithsonian Design Triennial presents 25 commissions that explore the physical and conceptual ideas of shelter...
This Captivating Guide Uncovers the History and Mystery of Dinosaurs in 50 Fossils
A paleontologist at the Natural History Museum in London chronicles the age of the famous and...
Why the Creator of One of the First ‘Lie Detectors’ Lived to Regret His Invention
The early polygraph machine was considered the most scientific way to detect deception—but that was a...
From Candy to Lightbulbs, Felix Gonzalez-Torres Showed Life and Loss Through Everyday Objects
A new exhibition co-presented by the National Portrait Gallery and the Archives of American Art explores...
Could Anyone Bring an Extinct Animal Back to Life? And More Questions From Our Readers
You’ve got questions. We’ve got experts
How an Indigenous Weaver’s Mastery of Color Infuses Her Tapestries With a Life Force
The work of Diné artist DY Begay, now on view at the National Museum of the...
These 17 Pictures Tell the Stories of Black Athletes in America
A new book from the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture shows the...
See 11 of the Best Wildlife Photographs From Years Past
A new book reveals striking images from six decades of the beloved Wildlife Photographer of the...
See the Tools and Gadgets From Julia Child’s Kitchen That Reveal How the Beloved Chef Cooked
From the microwave to the food processor, the book author and television personality tried many appliances...
What the Long History of Mail-In Voting in the U.S. Reveals About the Election Process
A recent exhibition shows how soldiers sent in votes during the Civil War and World War...
Ants Farmed Fungi in the Wake of Dinosaurs’ Demise 66 Million Years Ago
A new study from Smithsonian scientists analyzes ant and fungus species, and uncovers the origins of...
The Colorful World of These Brazilian Identical Twins Bridges Dreams and Reality
The artists known as OSGEMEOS showcase the largest exhibition of their work in the United States...
How Century-Old Paintings Reveal the Indigenous Roots and Natural History of New England Landscapes
Seven guest collaborators bring new eyes to a Smithsonian museum founder’s collection of American art
See the Wonders of Bird Engineering in These Photos of Intricate Nests
In a new book, a curator at England's Natural History Museum describes rare and interesting nests...
These Fish Transformed Their Dorsal Fins Into Taste Buds
From tasting to hunting to hitching a ride, some fins have evolved for a variety of...
This Massive New Guidebook Will Forever Change the Way You Look at Trees
Written by Smithsonian botanist W. John Kress, the book details more than 300 North American tree...
How the Hirshhorn Museum Went From Iconoclast to Icon
Celebrating 50 years of the modernist masterpiece that shocked critics—and helped turn Washington into an arts...
After Nigerian Independence, One Renowned Artist Made Jesus a West African Savior in His Vibrant Work
Painter and printmaker Bruce Onobrakpeya put forth a new vision of biblical figures for African Christians...
What's the History of Hawaiian Grass Skirts? And More Questions From Our Readers
You’ve got questions. We’ve got experts
‘Fearsome’ Saber-Toothed Cats Needed Their Baby Teeth and Mommies, Too
According to new research, two sets of sabers and unusual lower jaw anatomy show that the...
How a Blue SUV Named Stanley Revolutionized Driverless Car Technology
Almost 20 years ago, a Volkswagen Touareg, now on view at the National Museum of American...
How the Olympic Village Evolved From Makeshift Cabins to a City Within a City
The athletes' accommodations have come a long way in the last 100 years, expanding into modern...
Why Are Giant, Ancient Tropical Trees Dying?
Scientists from an international project are racing to figure out what kills these anchors of their...
Why the Eiffel Tower Has So Many Copycats
Replicas have popped up around the globe for decades, showcasing the design power and cultural significance...
Tommie Smith’s Raised Fist at the 1968 Olympics Inspired a Massive Golden Sculpture That Signifies the Art of His Protest
At the Smithsonian American Art Museum, an installation by artist Glenn Kaino made in collaboration with...
