Smithsonian Institution, More Than Most Anyone Might Expect or Be Able To See
Written: Mar 05 '05 (Updated Mar 20 '05)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: The worlds largest museum complex
Cons: Too much to see in a day, week, or possibly even a month.
The Bottom Line: I would say that the Smithsonian has something for everyone. You just have to map out your priority list.
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| popsrocks's Full Review: Smithsonian Institution |
Over the years I have learned that the Smithsonian Institution is more than one, two or three museum. In fact it comprises many museums, research centers and more. The wonderful part about this is that all the museums are in the Washington DC area, (except for one I know of in New York), with the majority of the museums within walking distance to each other on the Washington Mall.
Why Smithsonian?
Though I have known the name Smithsonian all my adult life and much of my younger school years, I never knew the significance of the title. After stopping in the Visitors Center for the Smithsonian Institution, that happens to be in the Old Castle Building that is so easy to spot and so different from all the architecture in the mall around it, I learned a bit about it's history.
The name comes from an English Scientist by the name of James Smithson who died in 1829 and left most of his estate to the people of the United States. He stipulated that the monies be used to establish an institution for the "increase and diffusion of knowledge".
An interesting fact about this man is that he had never been to the United States nor did he know anyone there. There are a few thoughts on why he did it. I won't go into it here but you can find out at the visitors center or their web site.
What Should It Be?
Smithson's idea of an institution wasn't made clear and therefor there were years of debate by politicians on what this institution should be. Some reasoned it should be based on the plans of a university as a place for general study. Others thought that because Smithson was a scientist the money should be used for scientific research. Still others conceived the treasures of a very young United States should being cataloged and displayed for future generations. Others thought a library would be true to the scientists bequest. In the end a compromise was made and it became a little of each of the plans. Over time it became world class in all the fields.
A building was then constructed for use as a science museum, library, research center, art gallery and a lecture hall. This again is the Medieval Revival style "castle" that can be seen from most Washington Mall sites. The architecture was to give a feeling of an English institution of high learning.
What It Became.
Over the years the museum grew and expanded to proportions that were said to be beyond what anyone might have expected. The fact is with 16 + museums, it is the largest network of museums in the world. It also contains a zoo, research centers, libraries, and much more. The museums have over 20 million visitors every year!
The following is a list of most of the museums from the Smithsonian website.
African Art Museum
Air and Space Museum and Udvar-Hazy Center
American Art Museum and its Renwick Gallery
American History Museum
American Indian Museum
Anacostia Museum (African American history and culture)
Arts and Industries Building
Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum
Freer and Sackler Galleries (Asian art)
Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden (modern and contemporary art)
National Zoo
Natural History Museum
Portrait Gallery
Postal Museum
Smithsonian Institution Building, the Castle (visitor information)
The National Zoo
I have been visiting the Smithsonian for over 35 years. The first time I ever went to it I didn't even know I did. That was a visit to the National Zoo. This is outside the DC Mall area. It's been a while since I have been there but I was impressed with it. It was clean and had some fine outside natural exhibits for the animals. The very first time I was there Sing-Sing and Ling-Ling Giant Panda bears from China were the zoos stars. They are gone now but two relatively new ones, Mei Xiang and Tian Tian now play outside in the snow at this zoo. This is a wonderful zoo that is free as are all the other Smithsonian Museums. (your tax dollars at work)
The National Air and Space Museum
The first building I was in was the National Air Museum that soon made way for the National Air and Space Museum that opened in 1976. This is on the National Mall. This museum is immense and fascinating with The Spirit of St. Louis and artifacts from the early days of space flight among the thousands of artifacts. Moon rock and the thrusters of the huge Saturn rockets that sent men to the moon are displayed. You don't realize how big they are until you stand right next to them, the thrusters, not the rocks.
Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center
It is amazing that the new building of the Air and Space museum was soon much too small for all that was needed to be displayed. A new annex was built that houses much more including huge aircraft like the Space Shuttle Enterprise, cruise missiles, The B29 Super fortress Enola Gay that dropped the first atomic bomb and so much more. I was very impressed with the new annex in nearby Chantilly, Virginia when I was there last year. It's right near Dulles Airport.
National Museum of American History
I happen to love the transportation area with the huge trains and assorted automobiles but this museum has so much more that is so well displayed. Take some time here. I suggest going to the web site of the Smithsonian and get the plans for the museums ahead of time. This way you can make the most of your time there.
The Natural History Museum
The Natural History Museum is another that attracts me. I will say I like the American Museum of Natural History in NYC a bit better but this DC building should not be missed! This is especially true if you have kids with you. You must at least walk into the Rotunda and check out the mammals and dinosaur exhibits. Remember it's all free so you can at least touch on some of the places and then move on.
Be sure to stop in the Smithsonian Butterfly Garden. This is another special place that is better than any I have seen anywhere. This is part of the Natural History Museum on the 9th street side of the building.
So Much More to See
I already listed many of the Smithsonian Museums so I won't do so again. I do want to mention that the National Museum of the American Indian is a new addition to the Smithsonian. I was recently at the Smithsonian's Museum of the American Indian in NYC. I was not particularly impressed with it but after talking to some people who have been to both, I was told the DC museum is far better with its artifacts and displays. I look forward to checking it out.
More To Come
On December 16, 2003 President George W. Bush signed legislation for the formation of the National Museum of African American History and Culture. This will become a new museum under the auspices of the Smithsonian Institute. The site is still being discussed with heavy favoritism by prominent blacks that it be somewhere on the National Mall. It is expected to take about 15 years to complete the planning that is now in its infancy.
Some Further Information
Most of the Museums are open from 10AM till 5:30PM. Please check each museum for exacting times. I have never had to wait in line at any of the museums I have been to and I'll give just another reminder, the are all free. I like to say that!
All the museums have rest rooms that are well maintained making them clean and well stocked. The larger museums have restaurants in them that make your visit efficient. They have moderately priced and some have finer places too.
Do know that when it rains in the summer these restaurants are packed!
I feel the spring and fall are the best times of the year to go to the Smithsonian. You can see the museums and then walk along the mall that has some beautiful views, sculpture gardens, flower plantings and more.
In the summer it's good to know that the museums are air conditioned so if the weather is a bit too hot, you can always cool off in any of the buildings. This is true in the winter too. Many of the monuments have a special feel to them in the winter. This is especially true of the Vietnam and Korean Memorials when they have snow on them. After experiencing those places you can always pop into one of the Smithsonian Buildings to warm up, get a bite to eat, and see some other kind of informative and interesting displays.
Why It's So Difficult To See the Smithsonian Museums
Though the museums are so close in proximity to each other they have huge competition. The environs of the Washington Mall is also home to so many memorials, monuments and historic places to see that are just outside the doors of many of the buildings. I won't even take the time to list some of them. I will mention however places that I thought were part of the Smithsonian but are not. One place is the Archives Building that hold the Declaration of Independence, The US Constitution and so many other documents that helped shape our country. Just across the street and down the block from this building are the two buildings that make up the National Gallery of Art. The Spy Museum is another that is independent of the Smithsonian. Actually there are many popular stops that vie for recognition when in DC. It is so difficult to make decisions on what to see on any trip to the area. Another popular stop is Kennedy Arts Center. I do suggest trying to decide on the "must see list".
Closing Notes
I am fortunate to have been to Washington DC many times as a tourist spending a day or two and also for business at which time I ALWAYS plan to visit something new.
The Smithsonian offers so much I would like to see again and again and explore deeper. It also has so much I have never even seen. Be sure to plan some time there. This is a vacation that can be extremely interesting and educational and it's all free. You just can't beat that combination.
The Smithsonian is one of the places listed in 1,000 Places to See Before You Die. This book is fabulous and a must for anyone who travels or dreams of doing so.
Just a few of Popsrocks DC Reviews.
Washington DC and all it has to Offer Many other DC sites are linked to this one.
The Capital Hilton
Fairmont Washington Hotel
The Old Ebbit Grill Good Eats near the White House
Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian - NY
Recommended:
Yes
Best Time to Travel Here: Anytime
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