Museum Minute Vol. 3 – Smithsonian Associates

Museum Minute is written by Elle O’Flaherty. Elle lives in Mt. Pleasant and previously wrote about the National Museum of Health and Medicine.

People were unexpectedly bitter about Pluto’s downgrade in planetary status. I learned this while attending a lecture by Mike Brown a few years back whose work led to Pluto’s change in stature. Part of the Smithsonian Associates program, lectures like this one, classes, and other events are held several times a week (prices vary from free to over $100). Upcoming events that look especially fun are a sleepover at the Museum of Natural History, cocktails based on literature, and behind the scenes with the FBI.  Lectures are often held at the Ripley Center, pictured above, which is just to the right of the Smithsonian Castle.  I like that many of the events are in the evening, which is easier for those of us coming from work than typical museum hours.  They have a little bit of everything and it’s a fun way to meet nerdy folks with similar interests.