As Bei Bei the giant panda prepares to depart for China, James Deutsch of the Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage explores just why we find these big bears so endearing. Continue reading Where’d you get those eyes? The folklore of pandas
Thanksgiving is almost upon us, along with the hordes of friends and family preparing to descend to enjoy the one thing all Americans can agree on: We love to eat! Continue reading Can’t cook? Don’t want to? We have the answer.
The famous Apollo 13 mission wasn’t the first time Houston had a problem. Listen to the latest episode of Sidedoor and learn about the courage of the crew of Apollo 12 in the face of heart-stopping danger. Continue reading Sidedoor: Apollo 12’s Really Close Call
A new book tells the untold story of African American soldiers in WWI, a fitting tribute on Veterans Day. Continue reading We Return Fighting
Dynamite proves to be a tool of both art and terror in this edition of Sidedoor. Continue reading Sidedoor: Dynamite!
Lonnie G. Bunch III, founding director of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture, was installed as the 14th Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution during a ceremony held Nov. 1 at the Arts and Industries Building on the National Mall. Continue reading Lonnie G. Bunch III installed as 14th Smithsonian Secretary
Lonnie G. Bunch III became the 14th Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution on June 15, 2019. While he didn’t exactly work his way up from the mailroom, he has a long history with the Institution. Continue reading ‘The Smithsonian has shaped my life’
As we anticipate today’s historic ceremony installing Lonnie G. Bunch III as the 14th Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, learn more about the history of the ceremony and its symbols. Continue reading The Symbols of the Office
In the post-Civil War era, when many Americans were reeling from loss, a photographer claiming to capture ghosts on film enjoyed very corporeal success. Continue reading When a 19th-century ‘spirit photographer’ claimed to capture ghosts through his lens
This week we went highbrow and recognized courage, perseverance and vision in the arts and culture. We also enjoyed a little lowbrow intrigue by examining some purloined letters and looking at what goes on behind-the-scenes of museum loans. Continue reading ICYMI: Highlights from the week that was Oct. 20 – Oct. 26, 2019
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
