Past Exhibitions | Smithsonian Institution

Fascinating—Endangered RHINO

See how Smithsonian Libraries supports work to save the endangered rhinoceros and its habitat.

July 14, 2012 – April 28, 2013

Natural History Museum

Orchids of Latin America

Experience a tropical rainforest on a cold winter's day with orchids from Mexico and Central and South America.

January 26, 2013 – April 21, 2013

Natural History Museum

2011 Nature's Best Photography: Windland Smith Rice International Awards

On view are winners in various categories from the 2011 Nature's Best Photography Windland Smith Rice International Awards.

March 30, 2012 – April 7, 2013

Natural History Museum

The Beautiful Time: Photography by Sammy Baloji

Sammy Baloji’s images introduces viewers to an important conversation taking place in Africa today about postcolonial history, urbanization, and the aspirations of 21st-century Africans.

January 7, 2012 – January 6, 2013

Natural History Museum

See a model of Titanoboa cerrejonensis, an extinct snake measuring 48 feet long and weighing 2,500 pounds, which was discovered at a Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute-organized dig at the Cerrejon Mine in Colombia.

March 30, 2012 – January 6, 2013

Natural History Museum

More Than Meets the Eye

In this photography exhibition, learn how museum scientists examine the world’s diversity of life and culture up close.

July 23, 2011 – November 4, 2012

Natural History Museum

Against All Odds: Rescue at the Chilean Mine

See the actual rescue capsule used to rescue the 33 Chilean miners trapped underground for two months in 2010.

August 5, 2011 – September 30, 2012

Natural History Museum

X-Ray Vision: Fish Inside Out

X-rays of some of the fish in the museum's collection reveal delicate and exquisite details and help scientists understand the evolutionary development of fish.

February 4, 2012 – August 5, 2012

Natural History Museum

Hope Diamond in Its New Temporary Setting

To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the historic donation of the Hope Diamond and the museum's centennial, the museum is exhibiting for the first time ever the Hope Diamond in a new temporary setting called "Embracing Hope."

November 18, 2010 – January 11, 2012

Natural History Museum

Race: Are We So Different?

This traveling exhibition looks at race and racism in the United States through biological, cultural, and historical points of view.

June 18, 2011 – January 8, 2012

Natural History Museum

The Bright Beneath: The Luminous Art of Shih Chieh Huang

Artist Shih Chieh Huang's creations, inspired by bioluminescent marine organisms, evoke a sense of wonder and curiosity as they "float" in the darkness of the gallery.

September 3, 2011 – January 8, 2012

Natural History Museum

The Cullinan Blue Diamond Necklace

On view is the Cullinan Blue Diamond Necklace, featuring a bow motif with nine extremely rare blue diamonds totalling 5.32 carats and 251 additional diamonds

September 27, 2010 – December 31, 2011

Natural History Museum

Discovering Rastafari!

This exhibition moves beyond the popular Jamaican music known as reggae to explore the origins and practice of the Rastafari religion.

November 2, 2007 – November 16, 2011

Natural History Museum

Eternal Life in Ancient Egypt Preview

Preview of the museum's largest exhibition of ancient Egyptian mummies and artifacts. Full exhibition opened Nov. 17, 2011.

April 5, 2011 – November 16, 2011

Natural History Museum

2010 Nature's Best Photography: Windland Smith Rice International Awards

On view are winners in various categories from the 2010 Nature's Best Photography Windland Smith Rice International Awards.

April 16, 2011 – September 25, 2011

Natural History Museum

Cyprus: Crossroads of Civilizations

The history of Cyprus is revealed through a rich collection of antiquities, many of which are traveling outside the country for the first time.

September 29, 2010 – May 1, 2011

Natural History Museum

The Hyperbolic Crochet Coral Reef

A whimsical display of colorful crocheted coral clusters, made of both yarn and found materials, honors the disappearing wonder, beauty, and diversity of living coral reefs.

October 16, 2010 – April 24, 2011

Natural History Museum

Orchids: A View from the East

This year's orchid exhibition showcases a variety of exotic live orchids that testify to the Chinese love for this enchanting plant.

January 29, 2011 – April 24, 2011

Natural History Museum

Celebrating 100 Years at the National Museum of Natural History

This photographic exhibition highlights the behind-the-scenes research that advances scientific knowledge and inspires the museum's public educational programs.

May 29, 2010 – March 20, 2011

Natural History Museum

Losing Paradise: Endangered Plants Here and Around the World

Compelling botanical illustrations convey the vital importance of plant conservation.

August 14, 2010 – December 12, 2010

Natural History Museum

Darwin's Legacy

To celebrate the 200th anniversary of Darwin's birth and the 150th anniversary of the publication of On the Origin of Species, on view in two cases are objects and books related to the scientific voyage in the early 1830s that inspired his theory of evolution.

September 10, 2009 – October 11, 2010

Natural History Museum

Origins of Western Culture

This hall explores some examples from various cultures in the western world including northern Iraq, ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome.

Natural History Museum

A Rare Encounter: The Hope and Wittelsbach-Graff Diamonds

The Wittelsbach-Graff Diamond is displayed together with the Hope Diamond for the first time.

January 29, 2010 – September 6, 2010

Natural History Museum

Yuungnaqpiallerput (The Way We Genuinely Live): Masterworks of Yup'ik Science and Survival

This exhibition reveals Yup'ik elders' scientific and spiritual knowledge for living in a sub-arctic environment.

April 17, 2010 – July 25, 2010

Natural History Museum

Since Darwin: The Evolution of Evolution

This exhibition reveals the significant role Darwin's theories have played in explaining and unifying all the biological sciences.

September 12, 2009 – July 18, 2010

Natural History Museum