Established from the vision of James Smithson, the Smithsonian Institution is a cultural and research beacon with a budget exceeding $1 billion. It houses more than 150 million items, yet less than 1% is on display. Governed by a board of regents, it is not a traditional government agency but a trust created by Congress. Recent controversies include executive orders targeting specific exhibitions and plans for new museums, indicating evolving discussions about cultural representation and historical narratives in America.
The Smithsonian Institution, envisioned by James Smithson in the 19th century, is the world's largest museum complex, with over 150 million items in its collection.
Less than 1% of the Smithsonian Institution's vast collection is displayed at any one time, revealing the hidden depth of its holdings available for research.
Collection
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