💛 A quick favor, if you've got a second.
We're really happy that you chose to read one of our stories and sincerely hope you'll stick around to read more. We took our paywall down — for now — but that won't last forever, and when the gate goes back up, we'd love for you to already be on the inside.
It's free. So please enter your email here and don't forget to like and follow us on all of your favorite Social Media platforms!
The Smithsonian Institution operates the world’s largest museum network, drawing scrutiny from conservatives and President Donald Trump over what they characterize as increasingly progressive messaging in its exhibitions. Established in 1846 through a bequest from British scientist James Smithson—who never set foot in America—the organization has evolved from a single institution into a sprawling educational and research complex. The mission, to advance “the increase and diffusion of knowledge,” now extends far beyond traditional museum walls.
The institution controls or operates nearly 700 facilities across eight states, Washington, D.C., and Panama, totaling approximately 13.6 million square feet. Its holdings include more than 157 million artifacts and specimens housed across 21 museums, the National Zoo, 14 research and education centers, and 21 libraries. The organization also maintains partnerships with over 200 affiliate museums and cultural institutions throughout the country.
Annual visitation to Smithsonian facilities exceeds 30 million people, while digital platforms and educational resources reach millions more. The institution operates on a budget surpassing $1 billion annually and functions as a de facto national educational authority shaping classroom curricula nationwide through programs like the Smithsonian Learning Lab and Science Education Center. These initiatives distribute millions of free lesson plans, virtual field trips and professional development resources to educators across the country.
The White House released a report this month alleging leftist infiltration of Smithsonian leadership and programming. The report specifically cited Anthea Hartig, director of the National Museum of American History since 2019, for stating that history serves as a “prime tool of social justice” and for connecting “research and scholarship to activism and advocacy.” President Trump subsequently ordered his administration to install signage outside the National Museum of American History directing visitors to what the White House terms “accurate” historical information.
More Stories
DNC Chair Ken Martin Faces Mounting Pressure as Party Fractures Over Leadership
Congress Must Address Ideological Shift at Smithsonian Museums, Critics Say
Kansas Republicans Push to Elect Supreme Court Justices in Bid to Shift Court Rightward