Explore Smithsonian
Bringing you everything under the sun
We invite you to explore your interests, uncover new insights, or rekindle a memory. Our extensive collections and the research that enriches them are available online, spanning a wide spectrum of topics—from art to zoology.
Featured
Discover online collections, stories, and research from across the Smithsonian.
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Smithsonian Story
Squirreling Away This Winter?
Meet the squirrel ancestor who lived millions of years before the last ice age.
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Smithsonian Collection Spotlight
On the Gridiron
Explore football-related items in our collections dating from the late 1880s to the present. -
Around the Smithsonian
Natural History
Scientists from across the Smithsonian research the natural history of Earth and how it has changed and adapted over time. -
Smithsonian Story
How Do You Photograph a Single Snowflake?
More than 100 years ago, Wilson A. Bentley was the first person to capture an individual snowflake.
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Smithsonian Open Access
Digital Backgrounds
Put yourself in the scene! Download high-res images to use as your video meeting or desktop background. -
Smithsonian Collection Spotlight
The Art and Science of Birds
The Smithsonian celebrates beautiful birds in our museums, our research centers, our gardens, and in coffee shops. -
Smithsonian Folkways Recordings
Masters of Tradition
Discover the broad array of musical styles and cultural stories that enliven our nation. -
Smithsonian Collection Spotlight
Best Dressed
Home to the First Ladies' gown collection, the Smithsonian has many more dresses to discover. -
Smithsonian Collection Spotlight
Color Journey
Take a colorful tour through art and artifacts in the Smithsonian's collections. -
Smithsonian Collection Spotlight
American Superheroes
Superman’s 1938 debut kicked off the golden age of comic books, and superheroes have used their powers to fight evildoers ever since. -
Smithsonian Collection Spotlight
Ancient Egypt
Explore collections related to ancient Egypt from across the Smithsonian. -
Smithsonian Music
Musical Treasures at the Smithsonian
Explore photographs, objects, and artifacts that reveal how music infuses our everyday life, brightening it with its sounds and beats.
