Jun

Mr. Smithson’s family goes to Washington

The founder of the Smithsonian died childless, but his descendants are nonetheless still going strong. Continue reading Mr. Smithson’s family goes to Washington

Jun

Thank you for your leadership

As Dr. David J. Skorton prepares to end his tenure as 13th Secretary of the Smithsonian to become president and CEO of the Association of American Medical Colleges, we wanted to take a moment and look at some highlights from his time with us. Continue reading Thank you for your leadership

Jun

Let’s go Caps: A curator’s collecting trip into Caps mania

Was it only a year ago? Jane Rogers relives the excitement of the day the Washington Capitals won their first-ever Stanley Cup and collects some cool Caps swag along the way. Continue reading Let’s go Caps: A curator’s collecting trip into Caps mania

Jun

Sidedoor: The Dinosaur War

The new “Deep Time” exhibition may demonstrate that the lives of dinosaurs were “nasty, brutish and short.” Apparently, paleontology gets pretty nasty, too. Continue reading Sidedoor: The Dinosaur War

Jun

Life finds a way: Parthenogenesis

For four years, the Reptile Discovery Center’s Asian water dragon female lived alone. Then, while examining eggs as part of a study, animal keepers made a shocking discovery—one was fertile! How could a female lay a fertile egg without a mate? Continue reading Life finds a way: Parthenogenesis

Jun

Prune the shrubs? No thanks, we’d rather drink them.

Summer’s heat and humidity can make even the most dedicated gardeners wilt a bit and find themselves in need of refreshment. How about some booze with your botany? Cynthia Brown of Smithsonian Gardens shares a few of her favorite herbal cocktails. Continue reading Prune the shrubs? No thanks, we’d rather drink them.

Jun

Reading the rainbow: The origins of the pride symbol

GVGK Tang takes us on a fascinating journey through literature, film and politics to trace the origins of the iconic rainbow flag. Continue reading Reading the rainbow: The origins of the pride symbol

Jun

Deep Time: Old fossils, new meanings

Paleobiologist Scott Wing explains the science behind the spectacle. Continue reading Deep Time: Old fossils, new meanings

Jun

Deep Time: “The lessons of the past inform the future”

Kiren Jahangeer, a long-time volunteer at the National Museum of Natural History, took a very special tour of the “David H. Koch Hall of Fossils—Deep Time” with the museum’s director, Kirk Johnson. Continue reading Deep Time: “The lessons of the past inform the future”

Jun

Gay history didn’t begin at Stonewall

We celebrate LGBTQ history and culture throughout Pride Month, but gay history didn’t begin with the 1969 raid at the Stonewall Inn. Kelsey Wiggins takes us on a world tour of historical figures who have a left a legacy of LGBTQ culture…and coinage. Continue reading Gay history didn’t begin at Stonewall