Past Exhibitions | Smithsonian Institution

D.C. Art Association | 16 Washington Artists - First Annual Exhibition

The Anacostia Neigborhood Museum hosts the First Annual D.C. Art Association exhibition, featuring works by 16 Washington, D.C. artists.

November 4, 1968 – November 17, 1968

Anacostia Community Museum

Pueblo Portraits: 50 Years at Laguna Pueblo

See 40 black-and-white photographs that chronicle photographer Lee Marmon's diverse 50-year career.

September 15, 1999 – January 9, 1900

American Indian Museum New York

John C. Ewers: Studies in Plains Indian Arts

Exhibited with a photograph of Ewers are samples of field notes and a draft of his current book, one of more than 150 publications he has written.

March 1, 1978 – May 30, 1878

Natural History Museum

Sounding American Music

From acoustic guitar to keytar—this display looks at musicians representing diverse genres who have innovated, invented, and inspired as they contributed to America’s songbook.

June 21, 2017 – Closed 2023

American History Museum

Ceramics at the National Museum of African Art

Drawn from the museum's extensive collection of ceramic works, 14 vessels represent various regions of the African continent.

January 14, 1998 – Indefinitely

African Art Museum

Japanese American Pioneers of the Jet Age

Photographs and memorabilia provide a peak at the role Japanese American stewardesses played in Pan American World Airways' efforts in the mid-1950s to become the pre-eminent carrier over the Pacific.

May 2007 – May 2009

Air and Space Museum Udvar-Hazy Center

Orientation Exhibition

This small display provides a brief history of the indigenous peoples of Manhattan, the museum's mission, and the architecture of the Custom House.

October 30, 1994 – 2006

American Indian Museum New York

Lindbergh Commemorative Exhibit

Celebrate the 50th anniversary of Lindbergh's New York-Paris flight.

May 20, 1977 – Closed

Air and Space Museum

Capturing the Moment: Photographs by the Smithsonian Community

The 32 winning entries reveal each photographer’s point of view—and give us a chance to experience the moments that brought them joy, hope, or inspiration.

May 3, 2022 – Closed

Ripley Center

Exhibition Flight

Explore barnstorming, aerobatics, air racing, and air shows that are used to entertain the public, introduce and popularize flying, and accelerate the technical development of aircraft.

July 1, 1976 – 1980

Air and Space Museum

Commuting in the Modern Manner: The Grumman "Goose" Amphibian

View photographs, timetables, and original drawings by aviation artist Mike Machat, and a recently restored Goose or "limousine of the air."

November 3, 1989 – Closed

Air and Space Museum

Aerospace Medicine

Learn about inflight medical care, biodynamics, and the health and safety of air crews and passengers.

1979 – Closed

Air and Space Museum

Ice Age Mammals and the Emergence of Man

This hall provides a glimpse of the Ice Age, one of the most extraordinary times in earth's history and features skeletons of some of the largest Ice Age mammals, including the woolly mammoth.

September 13, 1974 – Spring 2014

Natural History Museum

In Tribute...Spencer Fullerton Baird (1823-87) Secretary Smithsonian Institution 1878-87

Learn about the accomplishments of the Smithsonian's second Secretary, Spencer F. Baird, and see some of the natural history specimens he collected.

May 4, 1978 – Closed

Smithsonian Castle

Electric Fishes Demonstration Lab

This multisensory lab is home to a 5-foot-long electric eel, capable of generating up to 800 volts of electricity.

October 6, 2017 – Moved to part of Amazonia

National Zoo

Powers of Ten Theater

Be amazed by the Charles Eames film Powers of Ten presenting a mythical journey into space increasing one's distance from Earth 10 times every 10 seconds, and a similar journey returning into the human body at the same rate of speed.

October 15, 1981 – Closed

Air and Space Museum

The Walt Disney-Tishman African Art Collection Highlights

On view are objects from this comprehensive 525-piece collection of African art representing 20 African countries and 75 peoples and covers 5 centuries of African art.

May 18, 2009 – Closed

African Art Museum

Lunar Exploration Vehicles

This exhibition gallery highlights NASA lunar surface exploration.

July 1, 1976 – 2016

Air and Space Museum

Satellites (and Sounding Rockets)

Explore satellites and sounding rockets used for research, exploration, and service to society in this exhibit.

July 1, 1976 – 1985

Air and Space Museum

Balloons and Airships

Follow the history of lighter-than-air flight.

July 1, 1976 – 1990

Air and Space Museum

GPS: A New Constellation

View an exhibition that examines the history, development, and current applications of the Global Positioning System (GPS).

October 17, 1998 – Closed

Air and Space Museum

Modern Carrier Aviation: Seapower in a Changing World

Examine text, charts, photographs, artifacts and learn about the technological changes affecting the way navies operate, both from a historical standpoint and by how they have influenced war at sea.

April 27, 1990 – Closed

Air and Space Museum

Smithsonian Stories: African American Groundbreakers

Since the Smithsonian’s founding in 1846, African Americans have made major, but often unacknowledged, contributions to the Institution.

March 6, 2023 – Closed

Ripley Center

Before Nollywood...The Ideal Photo Studio

This exhibition celebrates the photography of Solomon Osagie Alonge and honors the work of African studio photographers.

September 27, 2022 – TBA

African Art Museum

Benefits from Flight

Explore the many roles that air and space flight have played in the 7 decades since Kitty Hawk and the social consequences of air and space technology.

July 1, 1976 – 1982

Air and Space Museum