The Smithsonian’s Future is at Risk Under the Trump Administration, Here’s Why It’s Worth Saving
The Smithsonian has long been known as America’s attic–a place where America’s triumphs, contradictions, innovations and struggles are preserved for all generations. But that mission has been threatened as President Donald Trump continues to criticize the Smithsonian’s approach to presenting American history.
A recent report by the White House Domestic Policy Council declared the Smithsonian “cannot be trusted to tell America’s story honestly and in a way that is inspiring, unifying, and worthy of our great republic.”
Now, the institution is fighting back against the president’s critiques and reaffirming its commitment to research and historical accuracy, even if that means getting to the truth about some of America’s most shameful secrets. Whatever the political debate, the conversation has underscored just how influential the Smithsonian has become in shaping public understanding of the nation’s past.
With 21 museums, the National Zoo, and millions of objects in its collections, the Smithsonian is far more than a tourist destination in Washington, D.C. It’s a living archive of American culture, creativity, and resilience. From iconic artifacts to groundbreaking exhibitions, these are just some of the reasons the Smithsonian remains one of the country’s greatest cultural institutions–and why its work continues to matter.
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Free Visits
The Smithsonian Institution offers over 21 museums, many of which are located in the nation’s capital, and most of them are free! It covers sites, including the National Museum of African American History and Culture, the National Postal Museum and even the Anacostia Community Museum, dedicated to the rich history of D.C.’s historically Black neighborhood.
National Museum of African Art
Nestled in the middle of the National Mall is the National Museum of African Art. Many walk past its doors to visit other well-known memorials and museums in D.C., but inside, visitors can celebrate the rich history of the continent through visual art. The museum was founded in 1964 in a home that once belonged to Frederick Douglass. Featuring exhibits like “Here: Pride and Belonging in African Art,” which explores art through the lens of the LGBTQ+ community, the African Art Museum is a must-see on anyone’s list!
The National Air and Space Museum
The main building of the National Air and Space Museum opened in 1976, but once you enter its doors, you’re transported to a time capsule full of America’s greatest accomplishments in human flight and space exploration. It features the stories of the Tuskegee Airmen, Bessie Coleman – the first international Black pilot – and other great Americans who left their mark on our world.
National Portrait Gallery
The National Portrait Gallery holds more than 26,000 portraits, including past U.S. presidents, former postmaster John T. Jackson and civil rights icon John Lewis. On any given day, you can find visitors viewing former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama’s portraits.
Smithsonian Summer Camp
The Smithsonian also offers a long list of summer camp options for families interested in art and hands-on learning.
National Gallery of Art
The National Gallery of Art is home to an extraordinary collection of works by Black artists whose creativity has shaped American art across generations. Visitors can experience Aaron Douglas’ powerful “Into Bondage,” Alma Thomas’ vibrant abstract paintings, Jacob Lawrence’s vivid storytelling, Gordon Parks’ iconic photography, and contemporary works by Kerry James Marshall and Kara Walker. The museum’s dedicated Black Artists Guide makes it easy to discover more than two centuries of artistic excellence, from pioneering portraitists to today’s most influential visionaries.
The National Museum of American History
The National Museum of American History is packed with iconic artifacts, but Entertainment Nation brings pop culture center stage. The “Roots to Pop” exhibition explores how movies, music, television, sports, and theater have shaped American identity through over 200 objects. Highlights include Dorothy’s ruby slippers from “The Wizard of Oz,” Prince’s legendary “Yellow Cloud” guitar, Selena’s performance costume, the original Muppets, and the Star Wars costumes for R2-D2 and C-3PO. It’s a reminder that entertainment doesn’t just reflect America, it helps define it.
Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden
The Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden is where contemporary art sparks conversation and challenges expectations. Visitors can experience thought-provoking works by Yayoi Kusama, whose immersive Infinity Mirror Rooms have become cultural phenomena, alongside pieces by Jean-Michel Basquiat, Mark Bradford, Barbara Kruger, and Auguste Rodin. Outside, the museum’s sculpture garden features monumental works in a serene setting, making it the perfect place to explore how modern and contemporary artists use creativity to question, inspire and reimagine the world around us.
Anacostia Community Museum
The Anacostia Community Museum has spent nearly 60 years preserving the stories that traditional history books often overlook. Founded in 1967 as the Smithsonian’s first neighborhood museum, it documents the history, culture and resilience of Black communities and other historically marginalized groups. Its collection also celebrates Washington, D.C.’s homegrown culture, including a spotlight on go-go legend Chuck Brown. Visitors can explore Brown’s Gibson guitar and learn how the future “Godfather of Go-Go” got his start performing with the D.C. Band in connection with the museum’s landmark “Lorton Reformatory: Beyond Time” exhibition, underscoring the deep ties between music, community, and local history.
International Spy Museum
You can’t tell the full story of America without talking about espionage! Good thing there’s a Smithsonian museum dedicated to spy history and some of the biggest scandals around the globe. The museum also acknowledges the contributions of Black spies, who were instrumental in the Revolutionary War and continue to play major roles in the CIA today.
Smithsonian American Art Museum
In a visual exhibit inside the Smithsonian American Art Museum, Sir Isaac Julien doesn’t just revisit Frederick Douglass – he reminds us why America is still catching up to him. “Lessons of the Hour” is Julien’s five-screen moving-image installation, which layers period reenactments, history and poetic visuals with a haunting soundscape to resurrect one of the country’s most brilliant minds. More than a century later, Douglass’ words still speak directly to the unfinished work of democracy, making Julien’s film feel less like a portrait of the past than a challenge to the present.
National Museum of African-American History and Culture
A statue of sprinter Jesse Owens stands in the sports galleries at the Smithsonian Institute’s National Museum of African American History and Culture, NMAAHC, on Wednesday, September 14, 2016, in Washington, DC. The museum will open to the public on Saturday, September 24.
(Photo by Jahi Chikwendiu/The Washington Post via Getty Images)
Since its 2016 opening, the National Museum of African American History and Culture has been a standout for all tourists, regardless of race, visiting the area. Unlike other Smithsonian museums, this one is all about Black history, culture and legacy. One standout exhibit focuses on historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). Another exhibit allows viewers to see a dress sewn by Rosa Parks herself!
Smithsonian Gardens
The Smithsonian Pollinator Garden in full spring bloom in Washington, D.C., United States, on May 27, 2025. (Photo by STR/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Smithsonian Gardens offers a peaceful escape where nature, art and history come together. Highlights include the Mary Livingston Ripley Garden’s diverse plant collections, pollinator-friendly landscapes, and gardens that connect visitors to science, culture, and conservation. More than just green spaces, Smithsonian Gardens are living exhibits that reveal the beauty and importance of the natural world.
National Postal Museum
The National Postal Museum proves that even the smallest pieces of history can tell powerful stories. Its virtual exhibition “The Black Experience” explores African American history and achievement through the lens of U.S. postage stamps, highlighting figures who transformed the nation in areas including civil rights, science, arts, literature, sports, and exploration. Visitors can discover stories of leaders like Frederick Douglass, Harriet Tubman, Ida B. Wells, Jackie Robinson, Bessie Coleman and countless others whose legacies are honored through the mail they inspired.
National Museum of Natural History
With exhibits on human origins, mammals, ancient Egypt, and more, the National Museum of Natural History brings science and discovery to life. Visitors can explore the wonders of life on Earth, from the depths of the oceans to the age of dinosaurs. Highlights include the David H. Koch Hall of Fossils–Deep Time, where you can travel billions of years through Earth’s history; the dazzling Hall of Geology, Gems, and Minerals featuring the Hope Diamond; and the Sant Ocean Hall, which reveals the mysteries of marine life.
