“The Smithsonian is the keeper of memories, the keeper of possibilities.”

Lonnie G. Bunch III

Secretary of the Smithsonian

On August 10, 1846—the day the Smithsonian was established—few could have imagined what the institution would become.

The Smithsonian’s founding donor James Smithson envisioned a uniquely American institution to support the “increase and diffusion of knowledge.”

closeup of Smithsonian Castle in sunset lighting with Washington Monument in background

For 175 years, that mission has been our north star, and it has pointed us toward the future.

The Chandra X-Ray Observatory, operated by the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, produces images of nebulae, exploding stars and other celestial phenomena.

The "Tarantula Nebula" (officially known as 30 Doradus) is a region of active star formation located in the Large Magellanic Cloud, a neighbor galaxy of the Milky Way. The nebula has a chemical composition similar to what most nebulas in our Galaxy had several billion years ago.

From our earliest days, we’ve introduced new ideas and inspired wonder. The Smithsonian promoted species conservation by displaying bison on the National Mall. We opened a museum that houses one of the world’s finest collections of Asian art. These were the building blocks of today’s Smithsonian: a global center of learning that encompasses science, art, history and culture like no other institution in the world.

In the 1880s, bison grazed behind the Smithsonian Castle building.

Bison with Smithsonian castle in background

What sets the Smithsonian apart? Our unparalleled collections; our place on the National Mall; our exhibitions; our multidisciplinary work and research in more than 140 countries across the globe; and our role as a trusted source.

Scientists at the National Museum of Natural History show off the museum’s vast entomology collection.

Scientists at the National Museum of Natural History show off the museum’s vast entomology collection.

As a unique public-private partnership, the Smithsonian leverages an extraordinary commitment from Congress to activate additional private support and connect with more Americans.

Hawaiian dancers from Hālau ‘Ōhi‘a and Hālau o Kekuhi participate in the 2024 Smithsonian Folklife Festival.

Hawaiian dancers from Hālau ‘Ōhi‘a and Hālau o Kekuhi participate in the 2024 Smithsonian Folklife Festival.

Now, your Smithsonian is ready for the next chapter in its partnership with the American people and visitors worldwide.

At the 2023 Smithsonian Folklife Festival, participants sweep away a Tibetan Buddhist mandala.

At the 2023 Smithsonian Folklife Festival, participants sweep away a Tibetan Buddhist mandala.

As we look toward the nation’s 250th anniversary in 2026, we are reimagining the institution to reach every corner of the United States, fostering collaboration, discovery and contemplation of what it means to be American. Across the globe, we seek to inspire a new generation of changemakers to address today’s most pressing challenges.

In 2019, the National Air and Space Museum led a national celebration of the 50th anniversary of the first Moon landing.

Crow watching a projection of the Apollo rockect on the Washington Manument

Your Smithsonian channels the voices, ideas and dreams of tomorrow in pursuit of a better shared future for all.

To realize that goal, we are launching a historic campaign.

The Smithsonian Campaign for Our Shared Future will raise support for four priority areas:

  • Advancing Sustainability and Discovery
  • Illuminating the Nation’s Past
  • Opening Pathways to New Knowledge
  • Powering Creativity and Innovation

Your support for the Smithsonian enables us to be the institution the world needs and deserves in the 21st century.

The future is ours to share, ours to shape.

Join us.