Smithsonian Institution

"Smithsonian" redirects here. For other uses, see Smithsonian (disambiguation).

Smithsonian Institution
The Smithsonian Institution Building, also known as "the Castle", in Washington, D.C.
EstablishedAugust 10, 1846; 178 years ago (1846-08-10)
LocationWashington, D.C.; Chantilly, Virginia; New York City; Suitland, Maryland
ChancellorJohn Roberts
DirectorLonnie Bunch, Secretary of the Smithsonian
Employees6,375 (as of March 28, 2020)[1]
Websitewww.si.edu Edit this at Wikidata
Flag of the Smithsonian Institution

The Smithsonian Institution (/smɪθˈsoʊniən/ smith-SOH-nee-ən), or simply the Smithsonian, is a group of museums, education and research centers, the largest such complex in the world, created by the U.S. government "for the increase and diffusion of knowledge."[2][3][4] Founded on August 10, 1846, it operates as a trust instrumentality[5] and is not formally a part of any of the three branches of the federal government.[6] The institution is named after its founding donor, British scientist James Smithson.[7] It was originally organized as the United States National Museum, but that name ceased to exist administratively in 1967.[8]

The Smithsonian Institution has historical holdings of over 157 million items,[9] 21 museums, 21 libraries, 14 education and research centers, a zoo, and historical and architectural landmarks, mostly located in Washington, D.C.[7][10][4] Additional facilities are located in Maryland, New York, and Virginia. More than 200 institutions and museums in 47 states,[note 1] Puerto Rico, and Panama are Smithsonian Affiliates.[11][12] Institution publications include Smithsonian and Air & Space magazines.

Almost all of the institution's 30 million annual visitors[13] are admitted without charge,[4] the exception being Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum in New York City, which charges an admissions fee.[14] The Smithsonian's annual budget is around $1.25 billion, with two-thirds coming from annual federal appropriations.[15] Other funding comes from the institution's endowment, private and corporate contributions, membership dues, and earned retail, concession, and licensing revenue.[7] As of 2021, the institution's endowment had a total value of about $5.4 billion.[16]

  1. ^ "People & Operations". The Smithsonian Institution. Retrieved July 5, 2020.
  2. ^ Watson, Robert (March 25, 2012). "Smithsonian wasn't always beloved". Sun Sentinel. Tribune Publishing. Archived from the original on July 2, 2021. Retrieved October 14, 2021.
  3. ^ Barlow, William (1847). The Smithsonian Institution, "for the Increase and Diffusion of Knowledge Among Men": An Address on the Duties of Government, in Reference Chiefly to Public Instruction: with the Outlines of a Plan for the Application of the Smithsonian Fund to that Object. B. R. Barlow.
  4. ^ a b c "How Many Museums Are in the Smithsonian Institution?". TheCollector. December 26, 2022. Retrieved January 13, 2023.
  5. ^ Kmiec, Douglas W. (June 30, 1988). "The Status of the Smithsonian Institution Under the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act". U.S. Department of Justice. Retrieved July 7, 2023.
  6. ^ "Legal History". Smithsonian Institution.
  7. ^ a b c "About Us". Smithsonian Institution. Archived from the original on March 7, 2017. Retrieved March 8, 2017.
  8. ^ "Smithsonian History > National Museum of American History". Smithsonian Institution. Archived from the original on June 23, 2013. Retrieved June 21, 2013.
  9. ^ "National Collections". Smithsonian National Collections Dashboard. Retrieved September 13, 2024.
  10. ^ Leaf, Jesse (March 13, 2007). The Everything Family Guide to Washington D.C.: All the Best Hotels, Restaurants, Sites, and Attractions. Everything Books. ISBN 978-1-4405-2411-0.: 57 
  11. ^ Kurin, Richard (October 29, 2013). The Smithsonian's History of America in 101 Objects Deluxe. Penguin. ISBN 978-0-698-15520-6.
  12. ^ "Smithsonian Affiliate Directory". Smithsonian Affiliations. Smithsonian Institution. Retrieved July 25, 2024.
  13. ^ "Visitor Statistics". Smithsonian Institution. May 31, 2013. Archived from the original on February 8, 2014. Retrieved July 26, 2014.
  14. ^ "Plan Your Visit | Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum". cooperhewitt.org. December 6, 2014. Retrieved January 12, 2023.
  15. ^ "Budget/Federal Appropriations". Smithsonian Dashboard. Smithsonian Institution. 2015. Archived from the original on February 17, 2017. Retrieved August 13, 2021.
  16. ^ "Smithsonian Institute". swfinstitute.org. Sovereign Wealth Fund Institute. Retrieved July 1, 2021.


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