Smithsonian Institution
Description
The Smithsonian Institution, established in 1846 with money left to the United States by the English scientist James Smithson, is the largest museum complex in the world. It is composed of 16 museums and the National Zoo in Washington DC, as well as two museums in New York City. One of the most famous is the National Air and Space Museum. Opened in 1976, the National Air and Space Museum celebrates the history and evolution of air and space technology. Exhibits include the Wright Brothers’ 1903 Flyer, Charles Lindbergh’s Spirit of St Louis, and moon rock collected by the Apollo astronauts (Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin) from the lunar surface, when they touched down on July 20 1969. Other museums in Washington include the Anacostia Museum and Center for African American History and Culture, Arthur M Sackler Gallery, Art and Industries Building, Freer Gallery of Art, Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, National Museum of African Art, National Museum of American History, National Museum of Natural History, National Portrait Gallery, National Postal Museum, Renwick Gallery, Smithsonian American Art Museum and Smithsonian Institution Building. The New York museums include the Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum and the National Museum of the American Indian.
Air: Washington Dulles International Airport, Washington Ronald Reagan National Airport. Rail: Train: Union Station. Metrorail: Smithsonian. Road: Bus: Public services.
Contact Addresses
Smithsonian Information Center, SI Building, Room 153, Washington, DC 20560, USA
Tel: (202) 357 2020
Website: www.si.edu
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