Don’t talk about politics during Thanksgiving dinner! Amaze your friends and confound your enemies with more turkey-related trivia than you ever thought you wanted to know. Remember, we have millions of objects in our collections—be grateful we didn’t keep going. Continue reading Take a trot through our collections for all things turkey
Americans spent almost $30 billion on pet food for Fido and Fluffy last year, but you can’t exactly run to the store for a half-ton of kibble when you have elephants to feed. John Barrat spent the day in Front Royal to see how the Zoo keeps its critters locavore. Continue reading Mike Maslanka had a farm…
Rock star Sting donated his first Stratocaster guitar—which he used to compose many of his biggest hits—to the museum’s Musical History Collection in a ceremony Sept. 8. Continue reading Sting makes Stratocastic donation to the American History Museum
Our soldiers aren’t movie superheroes. They are us. Continue reading An unflinching gaze into the human face of battle at the National Portrait Gallery
Odile Madden knows a lot about plastic. A materials scientist with the Smithsonian Museum Conservation Institute, she has spent the past eight years studying plastics found throughout the Smithsonian’s collections. She talks about her work and her belief that plastic, like all materials created or adapted by humans, will evolve. Continue reading Is plastic inherently evil?
A vein on the left side of Esperanza’s neck pulses; the fabric of her dress accordions faintly out and in with each breath; her finger twitches and grains of mascara ride eyelids that halfway conceal two smiling eyes. Welcome to the intimacy of slow and the close-up video portraiture of Bo Gehring on view in the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery exhibition “Eye Pop: The Celebrity Gaze.” Continue reading Up close and extremely personal: The video portraiture of Bo Gehring
In a triumph for amphibian conservationists, a newly described Panamanian dart frog has been successfully bred in captivity for the first time. Continue reading Froggie went a courtin’ and he did breed–in the lab
Get the straight dope on this summertime scourge Continue reading A poison ivy primer
U.S. Customs agents recently seized 35 pounds of live African giant snails being shipped to California. With few predators (other than humans) the slow-moving snails are fast becoming one of the world’s most destructive invasive species. Ellen Strong of the Natural History Museum tells you everything you need to know. Plus recipes! Continue reading These slimy invaders need to escargot back where they came from
Confusion caused by bright city lights and collisions with skyscrapers, planes and power lines kill millions of birds each year. Continue reading Surviving the urban landscape is a high-wire balancing act for birds
The Smithsonian's 12th collaboration with USA Today honors American veterans. Continue reading America’s Veterans: Honor, Service, and Sacrifice
Secretary Bunch announces a generous gift from Lily Endowment to fund the Smithsonian's celebration of the United States' 250th anniversary in 2026. Continue reading A new $40 million grant will fund America’s 250th programming and events
After three decades answering visitors' questions, is there anything she doesn't know about the Smithsonian? Continue reading Bridget Balog celebrates 30 years with the Smithsonian
Meet the newest member of the OVS staff: An enthusiastic historian and writer with a touch of Army discipline. Continue reading Introducing Troy Huber
The Office of Visitor Services is excited to announce that we are recruiting for a new season of volunteer Smithsonian Ambassadors! Continue reading Ambassadors needed to meet visitors where they are
