Ainu: Spirit of a Northern People

In 1999, the National Museum of Natural History opened a major exhibition to explore the ancient origin of the Ainu, their evolving relations with the Japanese, and the 20th century Ainu cultural rebirth.

The Allure of Pearls

Among the first gems known to early humans, our attraction to pearls is timeless. Twelve of the rarest pearls in the world were on public display together for the first time in The Allure of Pearls exhibition at the National Museum of Natural History, from March 18 through Sept. 5, 2005.

Atmosphere: Change is in the Air

An exciting exhibition that explored Earth's atmosphere - an invisible skin that surrounds Earth and makes it habitable. From Earth's early evolution to the planet's modern climate, Earth's atmosphere affects This web exhibit is based on the compelling temporary exhibit, Change is in the Air, produced by the Smithsonian's Natural History Museum and on display until November 2006. Includes flash interactives, videos, and educational materials.

Arctic: A Friend Acting Strangely

This web site incorporates images and information from the Arctic: A Friend Acting Strangely exhibition developed by the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History, which was on display at the Museum through November 2006.

Botanica Magnifica

Exhibit Case

Photographer Jonathan Singer captures the essence of plant form, color, and texture in his large-format images, enhancing the viewer’s appreciation of the complexity of the botanical world.  Focusing on images from the Smithsonian’s living plant collections, the photographer donated the first set of this monumental work to the Smithsonian’s Department of Botany and the Smithsonian Libraries.  Ground floor lobby (a single image in the SI Libraries exhibition case).  The complete five-volume work is held in a research library behind the scenes. For further information and appointments to see the book, please call in advance: (202) 633-1184.  Singer photograph of Wild ginger (Hedychium longicornutum)

Coastal America Ocean Art Contest

Location: Ground Floor
Exhibit: December 8, 2008 - March 29, 2009

To celebrate the opening of the Sant Ocean Hall, the Museum will be displaying the winners of the “Ocean Art Contest,” sponsored by Coastal America. The contest, conducted by Coastal Ecosystem Learning Centers throughout the United States and in Mexico, drew hundreds of entries—paintings, drawings, photographs and collages—from kindergarteners through college students. Each original work of art was accompanied by an essay on one of seven essential principles of ocean literacy. Winners were selected based on the visual impact, communication of the principle, and artistic merit of their work.

Emissaries of Peace: The 1762 Cherokee & British Delegations

Emissaries of Peace: The 1762 Cherokee and British Delegations presents vivid images of Cherokee and British society in the eighteenth century, as seen through the eyes of the British lieutenant and diarist Henry Timberlake and of three Cherokee leaders who accompanied Timberlake to England to meet King George III.

Ethnobotany in the American Southwest and Mexico

This exhibit illustrated the historical and cultural importance of plants to residents of the southwestern United States and northern Mexico over the past 100 years and the critical value of historic museum collections in preserving the ethnobotanical heritage of the local communities of these regions. Bilingual (Spanish/English).

Looking Both Ways: Heritage and Identity of the Alutiiq People

This traveling exhibition was produced by the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of Natural History in collaboration with the Alutiiq Museum and Archaeological Repository in Kodiak, Alaska. The participation of Alutiiq Elders, advisors, and communities was essential to its creation. Quyanásinaq to all who gave so generously of their time and knowledge.

The Lost Amazon

Journey into the Colombian Amazon through the photographs and quotations of naturalist, Richard Evans Schultes. Schultes explored lands where no naturalists had ever been before. His photographs evoke an era when the tropical rainforests stood immense, and the peoples of the forest relied on plants for sustenance as well as medicinal and religious purposes.

Mexican Cycles: Festival Images by George O. Jackson de Llano.

Featuring 150 color photographs of the religious festivals of Indigenous communities from across Mexico, taken between 1990 and 2001 by the Texas-based photographer George O. Jackson de Llano. The exhibition provides an unparalleled view of the diversity of Indigenous Mexican festivals at the turn of the 21st century and of the complex interaction of Indigenous and European religious traditions out of which these festivals emerged.© George O. Jackson de Llano

Nature's Best Photography 2008 Awards Exhibit

Location: Second Floor
Exhibit: November 8, 2008 – May 3, 2009

Wildlife, up close and personal! Meet rare endangered species, and see indigenous cultures living in some of the harshest climates on Earth. The Nature’s Best Photography 2008 Windland Smith Rice International Awards exhibit features 45 photographs that bring nature to life. These stunning portraits of plants, animals, and people celebrate the beauty of nature while recognizing the importance of environmental stewardship. (c) David Maitland

Nature's Best Photography: Windland Smith Rice International Awards

Sixty award-winning images from the annual Nature's Best Photography Windland Smith Rice International Awards competition are displayed. Also featured are photos by the Conservation Photographer of the Year, Howard Ruby.

Nature’s Best: Experience Nature Through the Art of Photography

The images displayed in this exhibition represent selected winners from the 2006 Nature’s Best Photography Windland Smith Rice International Awards and the National Wildlife Photography Awards competitions. Join us in celebrating this unique blend of artistic creativity, natural history, and leading photographic and print technology.

Ocean Views

The ocean is the very essence of life. All life depends on it, we enjoy it, yet we often understand little about this vast and important environment. Ocean Views is a dramatic photographic exhibit that will give visitors new insights into ocean life and motivate them to celebrate, embrace, and protect this fragile world. 

Orchids through Darwin’s Eyes

Location: First Floor
Exhibit: January 24, 2009 – April 26, 2009

Charles Darwin used orchids to help prove his theories of natural selection and evolution. Scientists today follow in Darwin’s footsteps and use orchids to learn more about how plants have evolved and adapted to live in almost every type of environment around the world. Come explore the alluring world of orchids through the eyes of Darwin. Discover new insights and curious surprises about these captivating plants, including the only orchid fossil ever discovered! This exhibit has been developed in partnership with the Smithsonian's Horticultural Services Division, Smithsonian's Office of Exhibits Central, and the US Botanic Gardens.

Smithsonian Science in the News: Investigating the "Miracle on the Hudson"

Location: Exhibit Case, Ground Floor
Exhibit: February 23, 2009 - May 3, 2009

Less than a minute after taking off from La Guardia Airport on January 15, US Airways flight 1549 collided with a flock of birds. The engines went dead, and the pilot made an emergency landing in the Hudson River, saving everyone on board. The remains of the birds were sent to the CSI of the bird world—the National Museum of Natural History’s Feather Identification Lab. This exhibit case explains how Museum scientists worked with transportation safety experts in this modern aviation mystery.Learn more about the Feather Identification Lab

The Splendor of Diamonds

In 2003, seven of the most rare and valuable diamonds in the world were displayed together for the first and only time through the collaborative efforts of the Smithsonian Institution, The Steinmetz Group, and the Gemological Institute of America.

Tiffany Diamond

The loan of the Tiffany Diamond in 2007 celebrated a newly established endowment from The Tiffany & Co. Foundation. Also on view for the first time were two rare gemstones purchased for the National Gem Collection through this new endowment created by The Tiffany & Co. Foundation gift. Detail of Tiffany Diamond

Transitions: Photographs by Robert Creamer

Surprise your eyes with the arresting detail of Robert Creamer’s high-resolution images, some of which highlight the Museum’s collections. All of the 39 photographs were taken using a flatbed scanner which creates an expanded depth of field. The result is stunning portraits of flowers and mesmerizing collages of flower parts.

A Tribute to Carl Linnaeus

For two days in November 2007, we celebrated the 300th anniversary of the birth of Carl Linnaeus with an exhibit and symposium.

The Truth about Crystal Skulls

Handmade by ancient Aztecs? The work of supernatural powers? Or carefully crafted fakes? After decades of mystery, the real nature of crystal skulls is finally clear, thanks to scientists using modern technology to determine how they were made. With the recent opening of Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, crystal skulls are in the news this year.  Photo by James DiLoreto (c) Smithsonian Institution

Vikings: The North Atlantic Saga

A traveling exhibition produced by the National Museum of Natural History, is about an extraordinary people who set out from their European homelands for unknown places beyond the horizon, including North America, 1000 years ago.