What do a 25-foot-triceratops and Bei Bei, the giant panda have in common? Let Juan Rodriguez, supervisory biologist at the National Zoo, explain… Continue reading A few of my favorite things: Juan Rodriguez
The history of an object tells many stories. Devin Mattlin explains how the painstaking task of conserving a single stock certificate resonates in the tragic history of the World Trade Center. Continue reading Preserving history
Feeling a little fatigued about the current state of American politics? Refresh yourself and gain some perspective by visiting the newly refurbished exhibition of “America’s Presidents” at the National Portrait Gallery. Continue reading “America’s Presidents” reopens Sept. 22
This week, we pondered the cost of art: Who pays? How much is too much? Who owns a culture’s heritage? How much should a bag of dust cost? Continue reading ICYMI: Highlights from the week that was July 16 – July 22, 2017
Lots of good news this week: Funding for the arts is safe for the time being, there’s no let up in the crowds at the African American museum and Bao Bao is adjusting to her new home in China. Continue reading ICYMI: Highlights from the week that was April 30 – May 6
Smithsonian Secretary David Skorton explains why “Earth Optimism” is more than a slogan–it is a rallying cry for people of conscience. Continue reading The argument for environmental optimism
This month’s Earth Optimism Summit offers a new model for the Smithsonian to show leadership at the intersection of science, the arts and the humanities. Continue reading On the cutting edge
Rollbacks on environmental protections. Slashed budgets for science and research. Climate change denial. Amidst all the bad news, there are still plenty of reasons to be optimistic about the Earth’s future. Continue reading Smithsonian convenes first Earth Optimism Summit
Humans are unique among species in that we are the agents of our own destruction. Can we also be our own and the earth’s salvation? This month, Dr Skorton examines the critical loss of biodiversity during the Age of Humans and the ways the Smithsonian is working to arrest that loss. Continue reading We cannot survive alone
All we wanted the week before Christmas were some old TV sets, a two-headed turtle and preview of the Smithsonian in the Trump era. Continue reading ICYMI: Highlights from the week that was Dec. 18 – Dec. 24, 2016
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 26, 1995. Kumari, the Zoo's first baby elephant, dies unexpectedly of a herpes virus. Her death leads to treatments that save the lives of other elephant calves. Continue reading Today in Smithsonian History: April 26, 1995
