History of Smithsonian Institution in Timeline

The Smithsonian Institution, established on August 10, 1846, is a U.S. government-created collection of museums, education centers, and research facilities dedicated to "the increase and diffusion of knowledge." Operating as a trust instrumentality, it's not formally part of the federal government's branches. It was founded through a bequest from British scientist James Smithson. Initially called the United States National Museum, that name was discontinued administratively in 1967.

1904: Former City Post Office Building Built

In 1904 the former City Post Office building was built.

June 1911: Opening of the National Museum of Natural History

In June 1911, the National Museum of Natural History opened to accommodate the Smithsonian's United States National Museum. It was designed by Hornblower & Marshall.

1912: Donation of First Lady's Gown

In 1912, First Lady Helen Herron Taft donated her inauguration gown to the museum, initiating the First Ladies' Gown display at the National Museum of American History.

1923: Freer Gallery Opening

In 1923, the Freer Gallery opened after Detroit philanthropist Charles Lang Freer donated his private collection and funds to build the museum.

1939: The Wizard of Oz film release

In 1939, the film The Wizard of Oz was released, starring Judy Garland as Dorothy Gale.

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1964: Opening of the Museum of History and Technology

In 1964, the Museum of History and Technology opened; it was designed by McKim, Mead & White.

1967: Opening of Anacostia Community Museum and Acquisition of Cooper Union Museum

In 1967, the Anacostia Community Museum opened. Also in 1967, the Smithsonian signed an agreement to take over the Cooper Union Museum for the Arts of Decoration.

1967: Name Ceased to Exist

In 1967, the name United States National Museum ceased to exist administratively.

October 7, 1968: Opening of the National Portrait Gallery and Smithsonian American Art Museum

On October 7, 1968, the National Portrait Gallery and the Smithsonian American Art Museum opened in the Old Patent Office Building.

1972: Opening of the Renwick Gallery

In 1972, the Renwick Gallery opened in the Renwick-designed art gallery originally built by William Wilson Corcoran.

1974: Opening of the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden

In 1974, the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden opened.

June 1976: Opening of the National Air and Space Museum

In June 1976, the National Air and Space Museum opened.

1980: Renaming of Museum of History and Technology

In 1980, the Museum of History and Technology was renamed the National Museum of American History.

1993: Opening of the National Postal Museum

In 1993, the National Postal Museum opened in the former City Post Office building.

1995: Controversy over Enola Gay Exhibit

In 1995, controversy arose over the Enola Gay exhibit at the National Air and Space Museum. The Smithsonian changed the exhibit, displaying the aircraft with technical data but without discussion of its historic role in the war.

1997: Creation of the Smithsonian Latino Center

In 1997, the Smithsonian Latino Center was created to recognize Latino contributions across the Smithsonian Institution.

2003: Censorship of Exhibit

In 2003, a National Museum of Natural History exhibit, Subhankar Banerjee's Seasons of Life and Land, was censored and moved to the basement due to concerns about its political controversy.

2004: Opening of the National Museum of the American Indian

In 2004, the Smithsonian opened the National Museum of the American Indian.

April 2006: Agreement with Showtime Networks

In April 2006, the Smithsonian Institution entered an agreement granting "first refusal" rights to its film archives to Showtime Networks, for use on the Smithsonian Channel. This agreement has faced criticism for potentially giving Showtime control over the archives.

September 2007: Creation of Chair of the Board of Regents

In September 2007, the Smithsonian's Board of Regents created the position of chair of the Board of Regents, which is currently held by Risa Lavizzo-Mourey.

November 2007: Criticism of Arctic Exhibit

In November 2007, The Washington Post reported on internal criticism of the Smithsonian's handling of the Arctic exhibit. The exhibit was allegedly edited to introduce "scientific uncertainty" regarding global warming's impact on the Arctic.

2007: O'Leary Quote to the press.

In 2007, Pilar O'Leary told the press: "Our goal is to help our Young Ambassadors become the next generation of leaders in the arts and culture fields. This program encourages students to be proud of their roots and learn more about their cultural heritage to inspire them to educate the public in their own communities about how Latinos are enriching America's cultural fabric."

2007: Value of Bequest

In 2007, when considering the GDP at the time it may be more comparable to $220 million regarding value of bequest to Smithsonian.

2008: Traveling Exhibitions

In 2008, 58 of the Smithsonian's traveling exhibitions went to 510 venues across the country through the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service (SITES).

2010: Deficit Commission Recommendation

In 2010, the Deficit Commission recommended admission fees for Smithsonian Institution exhibits.

2011: Launch of First Capital Fundraising Campaign

In 2011, the Smithsonian undertook its first-ever capital fundraising campaign, with a goal of $1.5 billion.

2011: President's Budget Proposal

In 2011, the president's budget proposed just under $800 million in support for the Smithsonian.

October 2014: Public Announcement of Fundraising Campaign

In October 2014, the Smithsonian made its $1.5 billion capital fundraising campaign public, aiming to raise the remaining $500 million.

May 2016: Appointment of Executive Director

As of May 2016, Eduardo Díaz is the executive director of the Smithsonian Latino Center.

2016: Opening of the National Museum of African American History and Culture

In 2016, the National Museum of African American History and Culture opened.

2016: Restoration of Star Trek Enterprise Model

In 2016, the Smithsonian's Air & Space museum curators restored the large model Enterprise from the original Star Trek TV series.

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September 2017: Fundraising Campaign Update

As of September 2017, the Smithsonian claimed to have raised $1.79 billion in its capital fundraising campaign.

2019: Appointment of Lonnie Bunch as Secretary

In 2019, Lonnie Bunch was appointed as the fourteenth and current secretary of the Smithsonian Institution.

February 2020: Release of Digital Items to Public Domain

In February 2020, the Smithsonian made 2.8 million digital items available to the public under a Creative Commons Zero Public Domain Dedication.

2020: Merger of Libraries and Archives

In 2020, the Smithsonian Libraries and Smithsonian Archives merged into a single research center.

April 29, 2022: Adoption of Ethical Returns Policy

On April 29, 2022, the Smithsonian adopted a new "ethical returns policy" to permit the restitution of items collected under unethical circumstances.

October 11, 2022: Return of Benin Bronzes to Nigeria

On October 11, 2022, Benin Bronzes from the National Museum of African Art and the National Gallery of Art were formally returned to Nigerian cultural officials in a ceremony held in Washington, D.C.

2023: Endowment value

As of 2023, the Smithsonian Institution's endowment had a total value of about $2.4 billion.

2023: Value of Bequest

In 2023, the approximate equivalent value of the original $500,000 bequest from James Smithson in 1838 is estimated to be £12,000,000.

2024: Value of Bequest

In 2024, the approximate equivalent value of the original $500,000 bequest from James Smithson in 1838 is estimated to be $15,000,000.

March 27, 2025: Executive Order on American History

On March 27, 2025, President Donald Trump signed an executive order titled "Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History", which referenced the Smithsonian Institution. The order directed a review of Smithsonian content for "improper, divisive, or anti-American" ideology.

June 2025: No Official Actions Announced

As of June 2025, no official actions or institutional changes at the Smithsonian have been publicly announced in response to the executive order.

July 2025: Removal of Label from Exhibit

In July 2025, the “The American Presidency: A Glorious Burden” exhibit at the National Museum of American History removed a temporary label from 2021 about the two impeachments of Donald Trump. The Smithsonian cited harmonization with the rest of the section as the reason, and that the section will be updated.