Did the macabre author die from a beating? Alcohol poisoning? Murder most foul? Here are the top nine theories from Smithsonian magazine. Continue reading The (still) mysterious death of Edgar Allen Poe
Wonder what Ozzy Osborne would make of this? Some fringe-lipped Panamanian bats have developed a taste for German black metal music. Continue reading Rockin’ out; Bats love heavy metal music
An early naturalist declared the bird-of-paradise “the most perfectly lovely of the many lovely productions of nature,” but he also lamented that “civilized man” would surely cause the creature’s extinction. Has his prophecy come true? Continue reading Strangers in paradise
Imagine settling in for dinner at your favorite restaurant when suddenly, something starts biting your feet. Might be hard to enjoy your meal, right? Corals and crabs have devised an ingenious strategy to make sure neither of them are on the menu. Continue reading Corals get by with a little help from their friends
“Richard Estes’ Realism” is the most comprehensive exhibition ever organized of work by a master of contemporary realism. Continue reading Layers upon layers: the multifaceted reality of Richard Estes
“Nation to Nation: Treaties Between the United States and American Indian Nations” looks at the complex, nuanced and often heartbreaking history of the relationship between the United States and the Native Nations. Continue reading The lasting legacy of good intentions and “bad paper”
“She gets more fun out of being a cook than a kook.” Judy Gradwohl takes a look at that unabashed square Suzy Homemaker and what she tells us about our aspirations to domesticity in the 1960s. Continue reading Domestic goddess or culinary camp? Suzy Homemaker offers a slice of life from the 1960s.
Mark Twain may have made “The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County” famous, but he never met the Panamanian Golden Frog, who not only is the official amphibian of Panama, but also has its own week-long festival! Find out more about this tiny amphibian and its role in promoting environmental stewardship. Continue reading What? You missed Panamanian Golden Frog Day? It’s not too late to start planning for next year.
Don’t fall behind–check out the highlights from the Fall 2014 All-Staff meeting and watch the webcast Continue reading Highlights from the Fall All-Staff Meeting
Join the fiesta and come celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept. 15 to Oct. 15) at the Smithsonian with vibrant performances, lectures, family activities and exhibitions at museums around the Institution. Continue reading ¡Celebre el Mes de la Herencia Hispana en el Smithsonian!
Vote now for the Autumn 2025 Windows Lock Screen. Voting ends Sunday, September 21st! Continue reading Vote now for the Autumn 2025 Windows Lock Screen
(Ed. note: We should note that it's never wise to stand behind a cow, even a buttery one. Cow pies never win blue ribbons.) Continue reading Behind the Butter Cow: A Look at the Renwick’s new State Fair exhibition
More than $2.5 million in grants has been awarded to fund projects ranging from exposing little kids to nature, the link between movement and emotional wellbeing and building a robotic telescope. Continue reading 2025 Together we Thrive
Melanie Adams will serve as interim director beginning August 26. Continue reading Director of the Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum is stepping down
