The Smithsonian Institution, founded in 1846 with funds from British scientist James Smithson, has grown into the world's largest museum, education, and research complex. It now owns or leases nearly 700 facilities across eight states, Washington, D.C., and Panama, covering roughly 13.6 million square feet of museums, laboratories, archives, and research centers. The organization houses over 157 million artifacts and specimens, operates 21 museums including the National Zoo, maintains 21 libraries, and partners with more than 200 affiliate museums nationwide. It welcomes over 30 million in-person visitors annually and influences millions more through educational resources and digital platforms.

Recently, the Smithsonian has drawn criticism from President Donald Trump and conservatives who accuse it of promoting left-wing messaging and politicized exhibits. Trump ordered warning signs to be installed outside the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History, alleging that the exhibits emphasize activism over history. The institution has faced scrutiny for promoting racial reparations and for a 2020 infographic criticizing "white culture." A congressional hearing further intensified the debate over the museum's displays and their historical accuracy.

Anthea Hartig, director of the National Museum of American History since 2019, has stated that she views history as a "prime tool of social justice" and sees her role as connecting "research and scholarship to activism and advocacy," according to a White House report. This perspective has contributed to the controversy surrounding the Smithsonian's approach to history and education.

President Trump has publicly addressed these concerns, including remarks made during the re-scheduled White House Correspondents Dinner on July 24, 2026, in Washington, D.C.

Founded with the mission "for the increase and diffusion of knowledge," the Smithsonian continues to be a central institution in American cultural and educational life, even as debates over its direction and messaging persist.

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