Back مؤسسة سميثسونيان Arabic Smithsonian Institution AST Smitsonian İnstitutu Azerbaijani سميتسونيان اينستيتوتو AZB Institusi Smithsonian BAN Smithsonian Institution BAR Смітсанаўскі інстытут Byelorussian Смитсонов институт Bulgarian Smithsonian Institution Catalan Smithsonův institut Czech
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 The Smithsonian Institution Building in Washington, D.C., also known as "the Castle" | |
| Established | August 10, 1846 |
|---|---|
| Location | Washington, D.C.; Chantilly, Virginia; New York City; Suitland, Maryland |
| Chancellor | John Roberts |
| Director | Lonnie Bunch, Secretary of the Smithsonian |
| Employees | 6,375 (as of March 28, 2020)[1] |
| Website | www |
The Smithsonian Institution (/smɪθˈsoʊniən/ smith-SOH-nee-ən), or simply the Smithsonian, is a group of museums, education and research centers, 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]
The Smithsonian Institution has historical holdings of over 157 million items,[9] 21 museums, 21 libraries, 14 education and research centers, a zoo, and historical and architectural landmarks, mostly located in Washington, D.C.[7][10][4] Additional facilities are located in Maryland, New York, and Virginia. More than 200 institutions and museums in 47 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,[update] the institution's endowment had a total value of about $5.4 billion.[16]
- ^ "People & Operations". The Smithsonian Institution. Retrieved July 5, 2020.
- ^ Watson, Robert (March 25, 2012). "Smithsonian wasn't always beloved". Sun Sentinel. Tribune Publishing. Archived from the original on July 2, 2021. Retrieved October 14, 2021.
- ^ Barlow, William (1847). The Smithsonian Institution, "for the Increase and Diffusion of Knowledge Among Men": An Address on the Duties of Government, in Reference Chiefly to Public Instruction: with the Outlines of a Plan for the Application of the Smithsonian Fund to that Object. B. R. Barlow.
- ^ a b c "How Many Museums Are in the Smithsonian Institution?". TheCollector. December 26, 2022. Retrieved January 13, 2023.
- ^ Kmiec, Douglas W. (June 30, 1988). "The Status of the Smithsonian Institution Under the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act". U.S. Department of Justice. Retrieved July 7, 2023.
- ^ "Legal History". Smithsonian Institution.
- ^ a b c "About Us". Smithsonian Institution. Archived from the original on March 7, 2017. Retrieved March 8, 2017.
- ^ "Smithsonian History > National Museum of American History". Smithsonian Institution. Archived from the original on June 23, 2013. Retrieved June 21, 2013.
- ^ "National Collections". Smithsonian National Collections Dashboard. Retrieved September 13, 2024.
- ^ Leaf, Jesse (March 13, 2007). The Everything Family Guide to Washington D.C.: All the Best Hotels, Restaurants, Sites, and Attractions. Everything Books. ISBN 978-1-4405-2411-0.: 57
- ^ Kurin, Richard (October 29, 2013). The Smithsonian's History of America in 101 Objects Deluxe. Penguin. ISBN 978-0-698-15520-6.
- ^ "Smithsonian Affiliate Directory". Smithsonian Affiliations. Smithsonian Institution. Retrieved July 25, 2024.
- ^ "Visitor Statistics". Smithsonian Institution. May 31, 2013. Archived from the original on February 8, 2014. Retrieved July 26, 2014.
- ^ "Plan Your Visit | Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum". cooperhewitt.org. December 6, 2014. Retrieved January 12, 2023.
- ^ "Budget/Federal Appropriations". Smithsonian Dashboard. Smithsonian Institution. 2015. Archived from the original on February 17, 2017. Retrieved August 13, 2021.
- ^ "Smithsonian Institute". swfinstitute.org. Sovereign Wealth Fund Institute. Retrieved July 1, 2021.
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