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]
"Smithsonian" redirects here. For other uses, see Smithsonian (disambiguation).Established
Called "the nation's attic"[9] for its eclectic holdings of 154 million items,[7] the institution's 19 museums, 21 libraries, nine research centers, and zoo include historical and architectural landmarks, mostly located in Washington, D.C.[10][4] Additional facilities are located in Maryland, New York, and Virginia. More than 200 institutions and museums in 45 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]
Publications[edit]
The institution publishes Smithsonian magazine monthly and Air & Space magazine bimonthly. Smithsonian was the result of Secretary of the Smithsonian S. Dillon Ripley asking the retired editor of Life magazine Edward K. Thompson to produce a magazine "about things in which the Smithsonian Institution is interested, might be interested or ought to be interested".[112] Another Secretary of the Smithsonian, Walter Boyne, founded Air & Space.[113][114]
The organization publishes under the imprints Smithsonian Institution Press, Smithsonian Books, and Smithsonian Institution Scholarly Press.[115][116][117]
The Smithsonian makes a number of awards to acknowledge and support meritorious work.
