About the Smithsonian Institution

The Smithsonian Institution consists of 19 museums, a zoo, and nine research centers. Most of its locations are in Washington, D.C., but some are located in New York, Virginia, and Panama. The Smithsonian Institution was originally created because the Smithson family estate was left to the government of the United States to create an "establishment for the increase and diffusion of knowledge among men." The donation amounted to $500,000 in 1835; or $10,100,997 in 2008 money.

The Smithsonian is run by the Board of Regents, a 17-member group that meets at least four times per year. Members include members of the House of Representatives, members of the Senate, and citizens of the country. Senators and Representatives hold their position on the board for as long as they are in office, and citizens hold thier positions for up to two six-year terms. The head of the Board is the Chancellor, who has traditionally been the Chief Justice. The chief executive officer of the Smithsonian, called the Secretary, is appointed by the Board of Regents. The Secretary is not a voting member of the Board, though serves as the secretary to it. The Secretary does, however, have the privilege of the floor at the U.S. Senate. The current Secretary of the Smithsonian is G. Wayne Clough.

The Washington, D.C., branch of the Smithsonian Institution includes the Anacostia Community Museum, the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, the Arts and Industries Building, the Freer Gallery of Art, the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, the National Air and Space Museum, the National Museum of African American History and Culture (future museum), the National Museum of African Art, the National Museum of American History, the National Museum of the American Indian, the National Museum of Natural History, the National Portrait Gallery, the National Postal Museum, the S. Dillon Ripley Center, the Smithsonian American Art Museum, the Smithsonian Institution Building, the Smithsonian National Zoological Park, and the National Gallery of Art.