Escape the winter cold and step into a floral oasis in the Kogod Courtyard with Smithsonian Gardens’ 24th annual orchid exhibition. Continue reading There’s a good reason the annual orchid exhibition opens in February
Valentine’s may be all flowers and chocolate today, but the Postal Museum shows how the Victorians enjoyed vinegar as much as honey. Continue reading Love and derision: Or, Valentine’s Day Victorian Style
Ever wonder how museum exhibitions are put together? Here’s your answer. Continue reading Unearthing ancient sea monsters: The making of an exhibition
You’d expect a pizza sent from across the Atlantic to be a little cold when it arrives. Not if it’s warmed by the comaraderie of the international museum community. Continue reading OPS officers get some pizza appreciation
As we all get back into the swing of day-to-day activities, there are a few important updates on pay, leave and benefits, which will help you get off to a fresh start. Continue reading Update: Important Benefit Reminders
Birds do it, bees do it, even naked mole rats and rare kiwis do it. Catch up on the news (and the new arrivals) at the Smithsonian National Zoo. Continue reading It’s all happening at the Zoo
Lonnie Bunch III, the founding director of the National Museum of African American History and Culture, offers a thoughtful look at the continuing importance of Black History Month. Continue reading Knowing the Past Opens the Door to the Future
Despite the challenges of the government shutdown, the Smithsonian’s Year of Music launched with fanfare Jan.1 on the National Mall. Continue reading Drumroll, please! The Smithsonian Year of Music is officially underway
UPDATED In this episode of Sidedoor, we explore our complex relationship with one of the largest, most powerful and most intelligent species to ever inhabit our planet. Continue reading Sidedoor: 50 Shades of Gray (Whales)
We all hear about the superstars—the colleagues who make scientific breakthroughs or uncover brilliant young artists or unravel historic mysteries—but what about those colleagues who do exceptional work at indispensable jobs that never make the news? This is your opportunity to nominate those Unsung Heroes who, day in and day out, help make the Smithsonian a great Institution. And after the recent shutdown, we know there are a lot of nominations to make! Continue reading Sing the praises of our Unsung Heroes!
In this episode of Sidedoor, Cheech Marin is our guide to the wildly creative and ingenious world of rasquachismo—the Chicano art of working with what you've got. Continue reading Sidedoor: Cheech Marin Gets Artsy
Dr. Skorton has a few post-shutdown updates. Continue reading Update: Some notes about music and moving forward
One of the perks of being a Smithsonian volunteer is the opportunity to get behind-the-scenes peeks and everything from a Shakespeare folio to a T. rex skull. Plus, there are cookies! Continue reading Castle volunteers were out and about in 2018
The only things that interested us this week were naked mole rats and a baby gorilla. Who was also naked. Continue reading ICYMI: Highlights from the week that was Feb. 3 – Feb 9. 2019
February 16, 1965. The Division of Radiation and Organisms becomes the Smithsonian Radiation Biology Laboratory and begins operations in the basement of the Castle. The fact that "Spiderman" was bitten by a radioactive spider in the 1960s is a coincidence, we assure you. Continue reading Today in Smithsonian History: February 16, 1965
