Past Exhibitions | Smithsonian Institution

Condemned Rivers of the Mother Lode

View 40 color photography of 3 Central California rivers threatened by dams and other planned projects.

July 23, 1977 – September 18, 1977

Painting and Sculpture in California: The Modern Era

See more than 270 works by 199 artists that demonstrate the complex variety, scope and stature of art created in California from 1900 to 1976.

May 20, 1977 – September 11, 1977

American Art Museum

First Ladies' Jewelry and Accessories

Sixteen First Ladies are represented by objects ranging from a topaz pin worn by Martha Washington to a scarf designed by Alexandria's Frankie Welch for Betty Ford.

January 10, 1977 – September 7, 1977

American History Museum

Civil War Artists

Witness 30 illustrations of battle areas, camp sites and forts by Conrad Wise Chapman and Winslow Homer.

June 13, 1977 – September 5, 1977

Portrait Gallery

The Silver Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II

Visit a variety of state gifts, personal communications, documents and paintings that call attention to the associations of members of the British royal family with Americans.

June 15, 1977 – September 5, 1977

American History Museum

22 Polish Textile Artists

See 30 works illustrating textile trends in Poland between 1960 and 1976.

June 24, 1977 – September 5, 1977

Renwick Gallery

The Photography of Leland Rice

See the first exhibit of exclusively photographic works at HMSG, consisting of 35 photographs, in black and white and color.

June 16, 1977 – September 5, 1977

Hirshhorn Museum

The Thomas Eakins Collection of the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden

HMSG's Eakins collection is one of the largest in the U.S.; several works are on display for the first time. View 135 items, including the museum's 52 Eakins paintings, letters, scrapbooks, studio memorabilia, and studies for many major works, in photography, sculpture, and oil.

May 24, 1977 – September 5, 1977

Hirshhorn Museum

Harold P. Stern Memorial Exhibit

Visit a selection of Japanese art is presented as a memorial to Dr. Harold P. Stern, who served as director for the Freer from 1971 until his death on April 3, 1977.

June 1, 1977 – August 31, 1977

Asian Art Museum, West Building

Art of the Arab World

View some 80 objects, exemplifying the themes, styles and techniques employed in the Arabian world between the 8th and 16th centuries.

May 9, 1975 – August 31, 1977

Asian Art Museum, West Building

Oriental Calligraphy

Examine the importance of calligraphy in Far Eastern art in this exhibition, which includes 20 rubbings of ancient Chinese stelae, never before displayed.

April 7, 1977 – August 31, 1977

Asian Art Museum, West Building

Thirteen Star Flags

See a small exhibit showing varying versions of 13-star flags, flag techniques and materials used in construction.

June 14, 1977 – August 31, 1977

American History Museum

in Beauty It Is Begun...Native American Children's Art

See drawings, paintings, poetry, and 17 pieces of jewelry, all the work of Native American children.

March 1, 1977 – July 31, 1977

Natural History Museum

Art & Science: Chemistry

View chemical models; 15th-19th century illustrated chemical books from the Dibner Library; 18th century chemical glassware which belonged to Joseph Priestly as well as 20th century lab equipment.

June 1, 1977 – July 31, 1977

American History Museum

Acquisitions: 1974-1977

See paintings, sculptures and works on paper that represent the works acquired for the collection through gifts and purchases.

March 25, 1977 – July 24, 1977

Hirshhorn Museum

200 Years of American Architectural Drawing

Focus on architectural drawings for their aesthetic value in this exhibition of 200 drawings by more than 80 architects.

June 7, 1977 – July 17, 1977

Cooper Hewitt Design Museum

X-Ray Photography of Fossils

See 45 radiographs taken by Prof. Dr. Wilhelm Sturmer of Lower Davonian plant and marine animal fossils taken in the fossil-rich Rheinische Schiefergebirge area.

May 7, 1977 – July 17, 1977

Natural History Museum

American Crafts in the White House

See a sample of the American hand-crafted place settings and centerpieces commissioned by the First Lady for a recent White House luncheon.

May 21, 1977 – July 10, 1977

Renwick Gallery

Stitch Pictures by Ethel Mohamed

See colorful stitched needlework pictures, many about life in Mississippi, made by Mrs. Mohamed.

December 3, 1976 – July 10, 1977

Renwick Gallery

John White Alexander (1856-1915)

View about 55 oils, watercolors, drawings and illustrations that comprise the first comprehensive exhibition of Alexander's work in 60 years.

December 22, 1976 – July 4, 1977

American Art Museum

America's Forests

Visual aids and scores of artifacts tell the story of the nation's dependency upon wood, beginning in the 1600s and continuing through the present space age.

January 1, 1977 – July 4, 1977

American History Museum

The Carnegie Mansion

Follow the Mansion's 75-year history, including two major renovations, through drawings and photographs.

June 7, 1977 – July 3, 1977

Cooper Hewitt Design Museum

Jamie Wyeth Sketches of Jimmy Carter

See 7 sketches done in Plains, GA in December 1976.

March 1, 1977 – June 30, 1977

Portrait Gallery

Mother and Child - Prints and Proofs by Artist Jean Charlot and his Printer Lynton R. Kister

See 20 prints and working proofs of mothers and children in relaxed and informal situations.

January 1, 1977 – June 30, 1977

American History Museum

The President's Medal

Admire the distinctive form of American portraiture represented by presidential inaugural medals, tracing back to the first one. All available examples of the medal, customarily struck in gold, are on view, as well as badges, souvenirs and letters.

January 19, 1977 – June 26, 1977

Portrait Gallery