For some creepy Halloween fun, Rebecca Seel combed the collections of the American History Museum to uncover six common phobias—sort of a historical Fear Factor. Continue reading We wants to make your flesh creep
We’ll pretend that our motives are purely educational in publishing a ghoulish little history lesson on Halloween. Continue reading A Halloween Horror: The Highlands’ Headless History
October 31, 1892. Among the Smithsonian’s contributions to the Columbian Historical Exposition in Madrid, Spain are not, we devoutly hope, actual Native Americans suspended in a canoe. Continue reading Today in Smithsonian History: October 31, 1892
October 30, 1980. The U.S. Court of Appeals rules that the theory of evolution is not a religion. Continue reading Today in Smithsonian History: October 30, 1980
If the past informs the present, the present predicts the future, so we took a look at the future of food, the fate of family heirlooms and whether philanthropy can cleanse a questionable past. Continue reading ICYMI: Highlights from the week that was Oct. 22 – Oct. 28, 2017
October 29, 1982. An exhibition on the multitalented Charles Wilson Peale opens at the Portrait Gallery. Continue reading Today in Smithsonian History: October 29, 1982
October 28, 1992. “Personal Legacy: The Healing of a Nation” commemorates the 10th anniversary of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Continue reading Today in Smithsonian History: October 28, 1992
October 27, 1986. The Smithsonian’s Arts and Industries Building receives an Historic Preservation Award, which is not that surprising, since we’ve been in the historic preservation business since 1846. Continue reading Today in Smithsonian History: October 27, 1976
Whenever autumn arrives, whether in a blaze of brilliant leaves or with subtle changes in the life cycles of flora and fauna, the season holds a special beauty. Continue reading All things autumnal
This week we pondered how museums must serve both art and mammon: crowdfunding, controversial donors and selling collections to pay the way. Continue reading ICYMI: Highlights from the week that was Oct. 15 – Oct. 21, 2017
You like us, you really like us! (Most of the time, anyway.) Continue reading The Strength of the Smithsonian: Results of the Volunteer Survey
Dr. Skorton takes some time to visit with our volunteers and introduce a new feature on Torch, Volunteer Voices. Continue reading The Value of Our Volunteers
You like us, you really like us! (Most of the time, anyway.) Continue reading The Strength of the Smithsonian: Results from the Smithsonian Volunteer Survey
We took a closer look at some underappreciated women this week (aren’t they all?) and learned that for some species, size really does matter. Continue reading ICYMI: Highlights from the week that was April 8 – April 14, 2018
April 23, 1900. Congress authorizes the Smithsonian to exhibit Benjamin Franklin's printing press at the New York Printing Exposition. There is even some historical evidence that Franklin actually used the press once. Continue reading Today in Smithsonian History: April 23, 1900
