The Latest Breaking News from Smithsonian

Smithsonian museum director to move to Guggenheim: ‘a moment of change’

Melissa Chiu, 54, director of Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, led the institution for 12 years

The Guardian - US · Apr 10

Women’s museum bill approved by House panel with transgender ban

A Smithsonian museum honoring women has been stalled for years, waiting on Congress to clear the way for its construction. On Wednesday the House Administration panel advanced a measure that would finally place it on the National Mall. But the vote on the once bipartisan issue fell along party lines,…

Roll Call · Mar 18

“It’s weirdly heavy, which you wouldn’t necessarily expect from its diminutive size”: Up close and personal with Prince’s $635,000 Yellow Cloud guitar

Flamboyant, elegant and built to rock – it can only be one of Prince’s touring guitars. We take a closer look at a guitar that might be shaped like a cloud but has a heft to it that's more Les Paul than cirrus minor

Guitar World · Mar 16

US First Lady Melania Trump donates her white and black trimmed inaugural ball gown

Melania Trump donates her 2025 inaugural gown to the Smithsonian, calling it a historic moment and a symbol of self expression.

The Fashion Central · Feb 21

Melania Trump donates eye-catching inaugural ball gown to the Smithsonian

It's the second gown she has turned over to the museum

The Independent UK · Feb 20

History redressed: Melania makes her mark, in a fashion, with Smithsonian gown

First lady is first in more than 100 years to have two inaugural gowns in museum’s popular collection

The Guardian - US · Feb 20

Astronaut snaps salty, pink Valentine's Day 'heart' shining in Argentina — Earth from space

A 2024 astronaut photo shows a striking pink, heart-shaped salt lake in the middle of the Argentine lowlands. The endearing photo was originally released to celebrate Valentine's Day.

LiveScience · Feb 10

Annual Smithsonian summer event held for 50 years is exiled from D.C. so Trump can have his 250th America birthday festival

The Smithsonian’s annual Folklife Festival has been exiled from Washington’s National Mall to make way for a flashy series of events including an IndyCar race

The Independent UK · Feb 6

Smithsonian museum to return three bronze sculptures illegally removed from Indian temples

Internal investigation found the statues had been removed from temples in southern India

The Independent UK · Jan 30

Smithsonian still struggling with how to present America’s 250th anniversary and has given Trump list of ideas

The U.S. will celebrate its 250th birthday this summer, while the Smithsonian has come under political pressure from White House

The Independent UK · Jan 28