smithsonian

photo courtesy of the Smithsonian Institution

From the Smithsonian:

“As the nation approaches its 250th anniversary, the Smithsonian will reopen two of its most iconic and historic buildings, inviting visitors to reconnect with familiar spaces and explore new stories about the American experience.

This summer, the Arts and Industries Building will reopen for regular public hours for the first time since 2004, marking a new chapter after years of use for special and temporary exhibitions and events. The Smithsonian Castle will also reopen to visitors following a closure for major renovations that began in 2023. These milestones build on the permanent return of the Smithsonian National Carousel, which resumed operation Friday, April 24, after an extensive restoration.

Together, these reopenings are part of “Our Shared Future: 250,” the Smithsonian’s multi‑year initiative commemorating the nation’s Semiquincentennial through exhibitions, programs and experiences that encourage reflection on America’s past and imagination of its future.

Smithsonian Castle (more…)

Photo by Tim Brown

From a press release:

“The historic Arts and Industries Building (AIB), America’s first National Museum, will open its groundbreaking new museum experience “FUTURES” Saturday, Nov. 20. On view through July 6, 2022, “FUTURES” is the Smithsonian’s first major building-wide exploration of the future and will temporarily reopen the Smithsonian’s oldest museum for the first time in nearly two decades.

The part-exhibition, part-festival will celebrate the Smithsonian’s 175th anniversary with more than 150 awe-inspiring objects, ideas, prototypes and installations that fuse art, technology, design and history to help visitors imagine many possible futures on the horizon. (more…)

In Happier National Mall News: Smithsonian Announces Summer Reopening of Two Iconic Landmarks – The Smithsonian Castle and the Arts and Industries Building!! Also, did I mention the Lobster Rolls?

“FUTURES” is the Smithsonian’s first major building-wide exploration of the future and will temporarily reopen the Smithsonian’s oldest museum for the first time in nearly two decades.”