This
hCalendar-compliant page
is optimized for search engines. View this calendar as published at
www.si.edu.
Castle Docent Tours
Ongoing Tours
Join us for an outdoor tour of the first two buildings in the Smithsonian Institution, the Smithsonian Castle and the Arts & Industries Building! Meet one of our volunteer docents by the sign on the west side of the Castle on Jefferson Drive, SW, in front of the S. Dillon Ripley Center.
Tours subject to volunteer availability and weather conditions; last-minute cancellations may occur. Inquire at the Castle information desk. No registration is required.
Venue: Smithsonian Castle. Event Location: The tour begins at the sign on the west side of the Castle on Jefferson Drive, SW, in front of the S. Dillon Ripley Center. Cost: Free. No registration or tickets (walk up). Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Tuesday, June 9, 2026, 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM.
Little Critters: Nature Play at the Bird House (World Ocean Day)
NZP Kids and Families
Dive into fun! Celebrate World Ocean Day with creative, drop-in play at the Zoo as we learn about the ocean and the animals that live there. Little Critters: Nature Play is designed for ages 0-5 and their caregivers and families. Activities are designed with early learners in mind, but all ages are welcome. Parents and guardians must remain with their children.
Location: Bird House Classroom.
Venue: National Zoo. Event Location: Bird House Classroom. Cost: Free drop-in program; no pre-registration required.Parents and guardians must remain with their children. Categories: Kids & Families. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Tuesday, June 9, 2026, 9:30 AM – 1:30 PM.
For more info visit nationalzoo.si.edu. Interactive Programs
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Docents offer interactive programming throughout the museum, in the form of Highlights tours of the museum, gallery spotlight talks, and hands-on cart programs.
Tours of the museum’s highlights generally take place daily at 10:15 AM and 1 PM. Additional tours may be offered on the hour between 11 AM and 3 PM as docents are available. Please check either Welcome Desk for today’s schedule.
Gallery spotlight talks take place throughout the day. Docents offer a 15-minute overview of an exhibition or briefly discuss a favorite museum object. Look for the "Docent on Duty" signs posted outside the exhibition entrances.
Docents stationed at carts help visitors get their hands on history and learn about the museum's collections. Carts are located throughout the museum, and you can check either Welcome Desk for today’s schedule.
Year-Round:
Available most days between 10:30 AM and 3:30 PM.
Notes:
Programs are subject to docent availability; last-minute cancellations may occur.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Multiple floors. Cost: Free. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Assisted listening devices. Wheelchair accessible.
Tuesday, June 9, 2026, 10:15 AM – 3:15 PM.
Play Date at NMNH: Awesome Arachnids!
One-Time Events
Join us on Tuesdays for special family play dates with museum educators!
Come join us as we celebrate the many wonderful ways arachnids help our planet, make observations of different arachnid species, and create art inspired by the different colors and shapes found on arachnids! Families will be able to explore through play, art, and select specimens from our collection.
The event is part of our drop-in program, Play Date at NMNH. Play Date at NMNH is a program designed for early learners (ages 0-5) and their caregivers and families. Activities are designed with early learners in mind, but all ages are welcome.
Location: This program is held in Q?rius, The Coralyn W. Whitney Science Education Center, on the Ground Floor of the museum. Please enter through the Constitution Avenue entrance. Q?rius is located on the right as you enter the museum.
Accessibility: Access services such as American Sign Language interpretation, real-time captioning (CART), or audio-description are available with advanced notice.…
Venue: Natural History Museum. Event Location: Q?rius, The Coralyn W. Whitney Science Education Center (Ground Floor). Cost: Free. Categories: Kids & Families. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Tuesday, June 9, 2026, 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM.
Flights of Fancy Story Time: Construction Site: Taking Flight
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Learn how construction vehicles like belt loaders and snowplows help to build airport runways and clear snow. This wonderful story by Sherri Duskey Rinker with rhyming text and vibrant illustrations invites us to learn how helping others is fun.
Takes place at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center each Tuesday and Thursday at 11 am and 11:30 am.
These programs are made possible through the generous support of the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation.
Venue: Air and Space Museum Udvar-Hazy Center. Event Location: At the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center. Ask at the Welcome Center for the exact location of that day's story time. Cost: Free, Parking $15. Categories: Kids & Families.
Tuesday, June 9, 2026, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM.
For more info visit airandspace.si.edu. Castle Docent Tours
Ongoing Tours
Join us for an outdoor tour of the first two buildings in the Smithsonian Institution, the Smithsonian Castle and the Arts & Industries Building! Meet one of our volunteer docents by the sign on the west side of the Castle on Jefferson Drive, SW, in front of the S. Dillon Ripley Center.
Tours subject to volunteer availability and weather conditions; last-minute cancellations may occur. Inquire at the Castle information desk. No registration is required.
Venue: Smithsonian Castle. Event Location: The tour begins at the sign on the west side of the Castle on Jefferson Drive, SW, in front of the S. Dillon Ripley Center. Cost: Free. No registration or tickets (walk up). Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Tuesday, June 9, 2026, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM.
Broad Stripes and Bright Stars
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Meet Mary Pickersgill, seamstress of the enormous garrison flag that inspired the lyrics to America’s national anthem and later became known as the Star-Spangled Banner. What was it like to live in a nation defending its sovereignty? Learn about the War of 1812, considered America’s Second War of Independence, and about ways that widows like Mary expressed patriotism and resourcefulness through acquired skills and family connections.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Flag Hall, 2 Center. Cost: Free. Categories: Performances. Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: The Star-Spangled Banner. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Tuesday, June 9, 2026, 11:30 AM – 12:00 PM.
Highlights Tour
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Look for our friendly volunteer at the Information Desk for a 45 minute tour of the highlights of the museum.
Venue: Postal Museum. Event Location: Starts at the Information Desk in the Historic Lobby. Cost: Free. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Assisted listening devices. Wheelchair accessible.
Tuesday, June 9, 2026, 11:30 AM – 12:15 PM.
Meet the Wheelwoman
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Meet a cyclist pursuing Life, Liberty, and Happiness in the rapidly changing world of the 1890s. The explosive popularity of the safety bicycle at the turn of the century led to more personal mobility and independence for women, empowering them to advocate for change—whether it be less restrictive clothing, improved infrastructure, or even woman suffrage.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: 1 West. Cost: Free. Categories: Demonstrations. Performances. Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: Patrick F. Taylor Foundation Object Project. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Tuesday, June 9, 2026, 12:00 PM – 12:30 PM.
Sneak Peek | A Colorful Meeting of the Minds: Coburn, Freer, and the Autochrome
Lectures & Discussions
In 1909, the New York art critic Charles Caffin approached Charles Lang Freer with a proposal to have the celebrated photographer Alvin Langdon Coburn come to Detroit to make color slides for a planned lecture on Whistler. What began as an experiment in the use of the new autochrome process expanded into a twelve-day marathon during which Coburn and Freer—working together despite vast differences in age and background—recorded over forty-seven Whistlers and fifty-two Asian and Middle Eastern objects. Join Professor Emerita Anne McCauley for a talk centered on the surviving autochromes and why their creation inspired such outpourings of mutual excitement and friendship.
This program is part of the monthly lunchtime series Sneak Peek, where staff members and outside scholars share personal perspectives and new research related to the collections of the National Museum of Asian Art.
Anne McCauley, David H. McAlpin Professor Emerita at Princeton University, has published extensively on 19th- and early…
Event Location: Zoom. Cost: Free. Register in advance (required). Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonian.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_m-m_o-imRketlm7L3VPDcw. Categories: Webcasts & Online. Lectures & Discussions. Accessibility: Captioning.
Tuesday, June 9, 2026, 12:00 PM – 12:45 PM.
Tours | Arts of Japan
Gallery Talks & Tours
As the seasons change, enjoy a free, hour-long guided tour of the museum’s renowned collection of Japanese art. Experience a variety of artworks, including paintings, prints, screens, ceramics, metalwork, and more. Trees, Master of I-nen Seal (1600–1630), Japan, mid-17th century, ink, color, and gold on paper, National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution, Freer Collection, Purchase—Charles Lang Freer Endowment, F1962.30.
Venue: Asian Art Museum. Building: West Building. Event Location: Meet at Information Desk. Cost: Free. No registration or tickets (walk-up only). Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Related Exhibition: Japanese Art from the Collection , Knotted Clay: Raku Ceramics and Tea , The Print Generation , The Peacock Room , Striking Objects: Contemporary Japanese Metalwork. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Tuesday, June 9, 2026, 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM.
The Brusilov Offensive and the WWI Europe That Could Have Been
All Programs
The Brusilov Offensive—launched amid the battles of Somme and Verdun—caused over 2.5 million casualties and may have been history’s deadliest battle. Historian Indy Neidell argues it was the best chance for an early World War I armistice, as Gen. Aleksei Brusilov’s innovative shock-troop tactics nearly forced Germany and Austria-Hungary to negotiate. Had Russia succeeded, the intact German, Russian, Ottoman, and Austro-Hungarian empires of 1916 might have shaped a radically different postwar world.
Event Location: This online program is presented on Zoom. Online Link: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/brusilov-offensive?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Cost: View registration price. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/brusilov-offensive?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223.
Tuesday, June 9, 2026, 12:00 PM – 1:15 PM.
Meditation and Mindfulness
Workshops
Register to join the sessions.
Join a free online guided meditation. In these 30-minute sessions, DC-based meditation teachers lead a variety of mindfulness practices. Friday sessions take inspiration from art in our museum’s collections.
All are welcome! No previous experience is required. Image: Katsushika Hokusai / National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution, Freer Collection, Gift of Charles Lang Freer, F1904.269.
Event Location: Online. Online Link: https://smithsonian.zoom.us/meeting/register/ymJH4SNfSjKwSlHROFxfyw. Cost: Free; registration required. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonian.zoom.us/meeting/register/ymJH4SNfSjKwSlHROFxfyw. Categories: Workshops. Webcasts & Online. Related Events: Meditation and Mindfulness (Online).
Tuesday, June 9, 2026, 12:00 PM – 12:45 PM.
Jazz Afternoon
One-Time Events
The National Museum of American History is home to jazz collections that include 100,000 pages of Duke Ellington’s unpublished music and such objects as Ella Fitzgerald’s dresses, Dizzy Gillespie’s angled trumpet, John Coltrane’s A Love Supreme manuscript and Benny Goodman’s clarinet. Visitors to the museum can engage with museum curators and see a small number of jazz treasures brought out of storage that represent the extraordinary heritage and history of jazz. During these Objects-Out-of-Storage events, musicians from the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra will host pop-up jam sessions, as well as interact with and educate visitors about their instruments and artistry. .
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: 3 West. Cost: Free. Categories: Performances. Lectures & Discussions. Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: https://americanhistory.si.edu/explore/projects/smithsonian-jazz. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Tuesday, June 9, 2026, 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM.
DC | Performance: Crow Nation Youth Dancers
One-Time Events
Enjoy cultural dances performed by members of the Akbacheeitchilewioosh (“those who will become leaders”) from the Little Big Horn College Extension Service Youth Council.
Akbacheeitchilewioosh is a youth leadership program that strives to maintain Apsáalooke (Crow) culture and traditions by engaging in cultural, spiritual, and educational opportunities. Every summer, the group participates in a vision quest as a rite of passage. This deeply personal ceremony is a means to find spiritual guidance and one’s purpose in life that has been practiced for generations. Prior to the vision quest, the youth also learn tools to care for their mental and physical health. To prepare for the experience, which takes place in the Bighorn Mountains, the group learns about environmental science and conservation of natural resources to appreciate their time outdoors. The vision quest limits the use of technology for the youth to better connect with nature, themselves, and each other.
Join us to welcome these young…
Venue: American Indian Museum DC. Event Location: Level 1, Potomac Atrium. Cost: FREE. Categories: Kids & Families. Performances. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Tuesday, June 9, 2026, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM.
Meet the Wheelwoman
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Meet a cyclist pursuing Life, Liberty, and Happiness in the rapidly changing world of the 1890s. The explosive popularity of the safety bicycle at the turn of the century led to more personal mobility and independence for women, empowering them to advocate for change—whether it be less restrictive clothing, improved infrastructure, or even woman suffrage.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: 1 West. Cost: Free. Categories: Demonstrations. Performances. Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: Patrick F. Taylor Foundation Object Project. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Tuesday, June 9, 2026, 1:00 PM – 1:30 PM.
Permanent Collection Tour
Gallery Talks & Tours
The National Museum of Asian Art has over 46,000 artworks from across Asia. Enjoy some of the finest on a docent-led tour and learn about commonalities and differences in cultures, aesthetics, and ideas.
Venue: Asian Art Museum. Building: West Building. Event Location: Meet at Information Desk. Cost: Free. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Tuesday, June 9, 2026, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM.
For more info visit asia.si.edu. Castle Docent Tours
Ongoing Tours
Join us for an outdoor tour of the first two buildings in the Smithsonian Institution, the Smithsonian Castle and the Arts & Industries Building! Meet one of our volunteer docents by the sign on the west side of the Castle on Jefferson Drive, SW, in front of the S. Dillon Ripley Center.
Tours subject to volunteer availability and weather conditions; last-minute cancellations may occur. Inquire at the Castle information desk. No registration is required.
Venue: Smithsonian Castle. Event Location: The tour begins at the sign on the west side of the Castle on Jefferson Drive, SW, in front of the S. Dillon Ripley Center. Cost: Free. No registration or tickets (walk up). Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Tuesday, June 9, 2026, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM.
Broad Stripes and Bright Stars
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Meet Mary Pickersgill, seamstress of the enormous garrison flag that inspired the lyrics to America’s national anthem and later became known as the Star-Spangled Banner. What was it like to live in a nation defending its sovereignty? Learn about the War of 1812, considered America’s Second War of Independence, and about ways that widows like Mary expressed patriotism and resourcefulness through acquired skills and family connections.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Flag Hall, 2 Center. Cost: Free. Categories: Performances. Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: The Star-Spangled Banner. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Tuesday, June 9, 2026, 1:30 PM – 2:00 PM.
Meet the Expert: Philanthropy in the Founding Era
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Meet Amanda Moniz, Curator of Philanthropy, and learn about the business of philanthropy during the founding era.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: American Enterprise, 1 West. Cost: Free. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Related Exhibition: American Enterprise.
Tuesday, June 9, 2026, 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM.
Meet the Wheelwoman
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Meet a cyclist pursuing Life, Liberty, and Happiness in the rapidly changing world of the 1890s. The explosive popularity of the safety bicycle at the turn of the century led to more personal mobility and independence for women, empowering them to advocate for change—whether it be less restrictive clothing, improved infrastructure, or even woman suffrage.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: 1 West. Cost: Free. Categories: Demonstrations. Performances. Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: Patrick F. Taylor Foundation Object Project. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Tuesday, June 9, 2026, 2:00 PM – 2:30 PM.
Sunset & Firefly Landscape Hike
Smithsonian Environmental Research Center
SERC's Woodlawn History Center will open at 7pm for participants to enjoy the exhibits after hours at the oldest building in the Smithsonian. At 7:50 the group will gather and will leave at 8pm to hike to the top of the hill for a special sunset viewing overlooking the islands of the Rhode River with the backdrop of the circa 1747 Java mansion ruins. Then on the way back, we'll watch for fireflies to light up the night skies as we walk along a portion of the Woodlawn History Trail.
Length: Approximately 2-3 miles.
Ages: Best for older children and adults who are comfortable walking on grass/gravel trails and uneven surfaces at night. Please wear closed toe walking shoes and bring a flashlight.
Questions? Contact Christine Dunham (DunhamC@si.edu)
Space is limited!
Venue: Smithsonian Environmental Research Center. Event Location: Woodlawn History Center, 647 Contees Wharf Road, Edgewater, MD 21037-0028. Cost: Free, registration required (Space is limited!). Get Tickets/Register: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0D4FADAA28A3F58-64442887-serc#/. Categories: After Five.
Tuesday, June 9, 2026, 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM.
Meet the Expert: History of Drag
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Stop by this informal session to meet curator Katherine Ott and learn about the history of drag. Drag is a performance art known for its exuberant performance of gender, and it has a long history—from at least as far back as Ancient Greece, continuing through Elizabethan theater, vaudeville, and World War II, through to the present. While drag is largely associated with the LGBTQ+ community today, it includes practitioners of all sexual orientations and gender identities.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: 1 Center. Cost: Free. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours.
Tuesday, June 9, 2026, 2:15 PM – 3:15 PM.
Tour | The Peacock Room at 150
Gallery Talks & Tours
Learn how a dining room built in London 150 years ago has become one of the most famous artworks in the United States today. This free guided tour closely examines American artist James McNeill Whistler’s famed Peacock Room, inspired by Asian art and decorated with Chinese blue and white porcelain. James McNeill Whistler (American, 1834–1903); Harmony in Blue and Gold: The Peacock Room (detail); United Kingdom, 1876–77; room installation, oil paint and gold leaf on canvas, leather, mosaic tile, glass, and wood; National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution, Freer Collection, Gift of Charles Lang Freer, F1904.61.
Venue: Asian Art Museum. Building: West Building. Event Location: Meet at Information Desk. Cost: Free. No registration or tickets (walk-up only). Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Tuesday, June 9, 2026, 2:15 PM – 3:15 PM.
Broad Stripes and Bright Stars
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Meet Mary Pickersgill, seamstress of the enormous garrison flag that inspired the lyrics to America’s national anthem and later became known as the Star-Spangled Banner. What was it like to live in a nation defending its sovereignty? Learn about the War of 1812, considered America’s Second War of Independence, and about ways that widows like Mary expressed patriotism and resourcefulness through acquired skills and family connections.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Flag Hall, 2 Center. Cost: Free. Categories: Performances. Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: The Star-Spangled Banner. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Tuesday, June 9, 2026, 2:30 PM – 3:00 PM.
Castle Docent Tours
Ongoing Tours
Join us for an outdoor tour of the first two buildings in the Smithsonian Institution, the Smithsonian Castle and the Arts & Industries Building! Meet one of our volunteer docents by the sign on the west side of the Castle on Jefferson Drive, SW, in front of the S. Dillon Ripley Center.
Tours subject to volunteer availability and weather conditions; last-minute cancellations may occur. Inquire at the Castle information desk. No registration is required.
Venue: Smithsonian Castle. Event Location: The tour begins at the sign on the west side of the Castle on Jefferson Drive, SW, in front of the S. Dillon Ripley Center. Cost: Free. No registration or tickets (walk up). Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Tuesday, June 9, 2026, 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM.
Behind the Science with Zoologist Matt Girard and World Ocean Day!
One-Time Events
"From Depths to Databases: Building a National Resource to Identify US Marine Fishes"
In celebration of World Ocean Day (June 8th) we are going Behind the Science with zoologist Matt Girard for a look beneath the waves using DNA and explore how NMNH scientists are building a DNA reference library for fish species that live in the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), part of the Museum’s Ocean DNA Initiative. DNA libraries like these are transforming our ability to detect and monitor marine life using tiny traces of genetic material leftover in seawater—known as environmental DNA (eDNA). Through new field research, historical museum collections, and modern sequencing approaches, Matt will highlight why building these DNA libraries is essential for species discovery, conservation, fisheries management, and understanding a rapidly changing ocean.
Registration is encouraged. Space is filled on a first come first served basis.
----------------
About the Series:Behind the Science
A monthly after-hours series…
Venue: Natural History Museum. Event Location: National Museum of Natural History (Ground Floor). Cost: Free; registration is required. Get Tickets/Register: https://www.etix.com/ticket/p/61682548/behind-the-sciencejune-washington-national-museum-of-natural-history. Categories: After Five. Lectures & Discussions. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Tuesday, June 9, 2026, 6:30 PM – 8:15 PM.
For more info visit www.etix.com. Stories from the American Songbook
All Programs
Explore and enjoy glorious songs from the great American Songbook with stories about their long, often-unexpected lives. Three-time Emmy Award–winning writer and documentary filmmaker Sara Lukinson’s abundant sampling of clips—and lively storytelling—make for two joyful and moving evenings to spend with Irving Berlin and George and Ira Gershwin, along with the artists who keep their songs alive. This session focuses on Irving Berlin.
Event Location: This online program is presented on Zoom. Online Link: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/stories-from-american-songbook?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Cost: View registration price. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/stories-from-american-songbook?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Categories: Workshops.
Tuesday, June 9, 2026, 6:45 PM – 8:15 PM.
The Westerners: Mythmaking and Belonging on the American Frontier
All Programs
Author Megan Kate Nelson explores how the American West took shape in the 19th century by highlighting communities that thrived even as frontier mythology erased them. Drawing from her book The Westerners, she examines federal and individual actions that fueled cultural tensions. She spotlights figures such as Sacajawea, more than just Lewis and Clark’s guide but an explorer who forged her own path; Jim Beckwourth, a biracial trader known for his cultural insight; and Polly Bemis, a Chinese immigrant who built a life in Idaho despite exclusion laws. Nelson also discusses several of the sources she used to write about the lived experiences of men and women who built the American West.
Event Location: This online program is presented on Zoom. Online Link: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/westerners?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Cost: View registration price. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/westerners?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223.
Tuesday, June 9, 2026, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM.
Telling Florida Food Stories
“By the People” Events
6–7:30 p.m. ET
In this interactive program, journalist and author Dalia Colón provides an overview of Florida’s history through the lens of food, from Indigenous foodways to the rise and fall of the citrus industry, to modern sustainability efforts. Through audience story sharing and audio and video clips, Colón keeps the discussion energized and personalized for each community.
See more in the Florida Reflections event series.
Categories: Lectures & Discussions. Cost: Free. Event Location: Melbourne, Florida.
Wednesday, June 10, 2026.
Eau Gallie Public Library
Melbourne, FL.
For more info visit floridahumanities.org. Castle Docent Tours
Ongoing Tours
Join us for an outdoor tour of the first two buildings in the Smithsonian Institution, the Smithsonian Castle and the Arts & Industries Building! Meet one of our volunteer docents by the sign on the west side of the Castle on Jefferson Drive, SW, in front of the S. Dillon Ripley Center.
Tours subject to volunteer availability and weather conditions; last-minute cancellations may occur. Inquire at the Castle information desk. No registration is required.
Venue: Smithsonian Castle. Event Location: The tour begins at the sign on the west side of the Castle on Jefferson Drive, SW, in front of the S. Dillon Ripley Center. Cost: Free. No registration or tickets (walk up). Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Wednesday, June 10, 2026, 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM.
Storytime Studio: Journey to the Sun
One time events
ABOUT STORYTIME STUDIO
Storytime Studio is a captivating blend of play, educator-led read-alouds, and art exploration designed for kids from birth to age 6 and their caregivers. During each hourlong session, starting at 10 and 11 AM every Wednesday and Thursday, visitors are welcomed into our studio to enjoy a special Storytime adventure.
Storytime Studio has limited capacity. Entry is first-come, first-served. THIS WEEK
Travel to the sun with help from Joan Miró and educators from The Phillips Collection. Miró was often inspired by celestial bodies in his work, including his painting Woman and Little Girl in Front of the Sun (1946), on view in Revolutions. We’ll feel the heat as we touch the sun during our read-aloud and use UV rays to create cyanotype “sun prints” inspired by Miró’s work.
Interested in learning more about Miró? Don’t miss the Phillips’ exhibition Miró and the United States, on view through July 5. Plus, join Art School educators at The Phillips Plays drop-in family program on June 13…
Venue: Hirshhorn Museum. Event Location: Meet in the Art School on the Lower Level. Cost: Free. Categories: Kids & Families. Related Events: Storytime Studio, About Hirshhorn Kids, Visiting with Kids, Art Project: Catch the Sun.
Wednesday, June 10, 2026, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM.
For more info visit hirshhorn.si.edu. Spark!Lab
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Spark!Lab is where museum visitors become inventors. The Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention and Innovation invites children between the ages of 6 and 12 to create, collaborate, explore, test, experiment and invent. Activities for children and families incorporate traditional science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) with art, history and creativity.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Spark!Lab, First Floor, West Wing. Cost: Free; first come, first served. Categories: Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: Places of Invention, Inventive Minds, Landmark Object: Ralph Baer's Workshop, Inventing in America.
Wednesday, June 10, 2026, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM.
For more info visit invention.si.edu. Wonderplace
Ongoing Tours & Activities
This learning space designed especially for children ages six and under combines age appropriate activities with museum collections and touchable objects to provide a gateway to history and a place to exercise curiosity for the youngest historians.
Admission to Wonderplace is on a first come, first-served basis. At busy times, we may use FREE, timed tickets to minimize wait time if needed. Tickets are available for 30-minute visits on a first-come, first-served basis. No tickets are required for the first session from 10:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. To visit during a later half-hour session, visitors may pick up a ticket at Wonderplace in 1 West. The last entry using timed tickets is at 3:30 p.m.
Hours are subject to change.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Wonderplace, 1 West. Cost: Free; first come, first served. Categories: Kids & Families. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Wednesday, June 10, 2026, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM.
Enid A. Haupt Garden Tour
Smithsonian Gardens
Take your morning break with us in the garden! Meet one of our knowledgeable volunteers by the sign just inside the stone garden gates on Independence Avenue, SW. No reservation is required.
Venue: Smithsonian Gardens. Event Location: The garden tour begins just inside the stone garden gates on Independence Avenue. Look for the tour sign. Cost: Free
Tours may be subject to cancellation in the event of inclement weather. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Wednesday, June 10, 2026, 10:00 AM – 10:45 AM.
Interactive Programs
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Docents offer interactive programming throughout the museum, in the form of Highlights tours of the museum, gallery spotlight talks, and hands-on cart programs.
Tours of the museum’s highlights generally take place daily at 10:15 AM and 1 PM. Additional tours may be offered on the hour between 11 AM and 3 PM as docents are available. Please check either Welcome Desk for today’s schedule.
Gallery spotlight talks take place throughout the day. Docents offer a 15-minute overview of an exhibition or briefly discuss a favorite museum object. Look for the "Docent on Duty" signs posted outside the exhibition entrances.
Docents stationed at carts help visitors get their hands on history and learn about the museum's collections. Carts are located throughout the museum, and you can check either Welcome Desk for today’s schedule.
Year-Round:
Available most days between 10:30 AM and 3:30 PM.
Notes:
Programs are subject to docent availability; last-minute cancellations may occur.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Multiple floors. Cost: Free. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Assisted listening devices. Wheelchair accessible.
Wednesday, June 10, 2026, 10:15 AM – 3:15 PM.
SHOUT
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Join our ensemble of performers as they sing, dance, and teach through storytelling. Learn about the ring shout—a powerful practice blending song and rhythmic movement created by enslaved communities in the 1700s and 1800s. They combined various religious practices of Europe and Africa, creating a cultural tradition that became iconically American. Connect their syncopated musical rhythms from the past to the present and learn how music can be a form of joyful resistance in times of oppression.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Wallace H. Coulter Performance Plaza, 1 West. Cost: Free. Categories: Performances. Kids & Families. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. Assisted listening devices.
Wednesday, June 10, 2026, 11:00 AM – 11:30 AM.
Dead Letter Office: Gallery Experience
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Could you be a postal clerk? In this activity, a volunteer challenges you to sort mail, deciding which letters will be delivered and which would be sent to the Dead Letter Office. Complete the challenge and leave with a prize!
Venue: Postal Museum. Event Location: Moving the Mail Atrium. Cost: Free. Categories: Demonstrations. Gallery Talks & Tours. Kids & Families. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Wednesday, June 10, 2026, 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM.
The Ocean Around Us Tour
One-Time Events
Explore the Sant Ocean Hall to learn about some of the exciting animals and habitats featured and how they are connected to your everyday life no matter where you live. This is a 30-minute interactive walking tour where you can meet a North Atlantic Right Whale, find out what is the most productive marine ecosystem, touch coral, and so much more.
Registration is required for this small group tour of up to 10 people. Each visitor may bring up to 3 guests, but the total number of visitors on the tour will be capped at 10.
Photo by Phillip R. Lee, Smithsonian Institution.
Venue: Natural History Museum. Event Location: 1st Floor, The Sant Ocean Hall, Under the Large Jellyfish. Cost: Free. Registration is required. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Related Exhibition: The Sant Ocean Hall. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Wednesday, June 10, 2026, 11:00 AM – 11:30 AM.
Castle Docent Tours
Ongoing Tours
Join us for an outdoor tour of the first two buildings in the Smithsonian Institution, the Smithsonian Castle and the Arts & Industries Building! Meet one of our volunteer docents by the sign on the west side of the Castle on Jefferson Drive, SW, in front of the S. Dillon Ripley Center.
Tours subject to volunteer availability and weather conditions; last-minute cancellations may occur. Inquire at the Castle information desk. No registration is required.
Venue: Smithsonian Castle. Event Location: The tour begins at the sign on the west side of the Castle on Jefferson Drive, SW, in front of the S. Dillon Ripley Center. Cost: Free. No registration or tickets (walk up). Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Wednesday, June 10, 2026, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM.
Meet the Wheelwoman
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Meet a cyclist pursuing Life, Liberty, and Happiness in the rapidly changing world of the 1890s. The explosive popularity of the safety bicycle at the turn of the century led to more personal mobility and independence for women, empowering them to advocate for change—whether it be less restrictive clothing, improved infrastructure, or even woman suffrage.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: 1 West. Cost: Free. Categories: Demonstrations. Performances. Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: Patrick F. Taylor Foundation Object Project. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Wednesday, June 10, 2026, 11:30 AM – 12:00 PM.
Fairies: A History
All Programs
Fairy lore was once far broader and stranger than the 19th-century image of tiny winged beings. Historian and folklorist Francis Young traces how European cultures imagined fairies as powerful, human-like supernatural entities—from Irish aos sí to Scandinavian elves and Balkan vilas. He illustrates how these beliefs adapted to Christianity, thrived through the Middle Ages, and survived major cultural shifts, including the Reformation and Enlightenment. Young also highlights how colonial expansion globalized the idea of fairies and how enduring beliefs in fairies influence contemporary culture.
Event Location: This online program is presented on Zoom. Online Link: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/fairies-history?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Cost: View registration price. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/fairies-history?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223.
Wednesday, June 10, 2026, 12:00 PM – 1:15 PM.
SHOUT
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Join our ensemble of performers as they sing, dance, and teach through storytelling. Learn about the ring shout—a powerful practice blending song and rhythmic movement created by enslaved communities in the 1700s and 1800s. They combined various religious practices of Europe and Africa, creating a cultural tradition that became iconically American. Connect their syncopated musical rhythms from the past to the present and learn how music can be a form of joyful resistance in times of oppression.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Wallace H. Coulter Performance Plaza, 1 West. Cost: Free. Categories: Performances. Kids & Families. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. Assisted listening devices.
Wednesday, June 10, 2026, 1:00 PM – 1:30 PM.
Double Victory: The African American Military Experience Highlights Tour
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Double Victory: The African American Military Experience conveys a sense of appreciation and respect for the military service of African Americans from the American Revolution to the War on Terror. Visitors have an opportunity to engage in a conversation with a museum docent and learn about the contributions of African Americans to the military history of the United States.
Tours take place at 1:15 pm and 2:30 pm.
Venue: African American History and Culture Museum. Event Location: This one hour tour program meets at Level 3 in the Double Victory: The African American Military Experience exhibit. Cost: Free; walk-in
Tours are subject to docent availability; last minute cancellations may occur. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Related Exhibition: Double Victory: The African American Military Experience.
Wednesday, June 10, 2026, 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM.
Permanent Collection Tour
Gallery Talks & Tours
The National Museum of Asian Art has over 46,000 artworks from across Asia. Enjoy some of the finest on a docent-led tour and learn about commonalities and differences in cultures, aesthetics, and ideas.
Venue: Asian Art Museum. Building: West Building. Event Location: Meet at Information Desk. Cost: Free. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Wednesday, June 10, 2026, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM.
For more info visit asia.si.edu. DC | Welcome to a Native Place
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Enjoy tribal songs from Alaska to Florida with Dennis Zotigh (Kiowa/Isanti Dakota/Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo) in the Potomac Atrium. At the end of the 30-minute presentation, visitors are encouraged to ask questions pertaining to the museum and Indigenous culture, past and present. Presentations may be canceled without prior notice.
Venue: American Indian Museum DC. Event Location: Potomac Atrium. Cost: Free. Categories: Performances.
Wednesday, June 10, 2026, 1:00 PM – 1:30 PM.
Castle Docent Tours
Ongoing Tours
Join us for an outdoor tour of the first two buildings in the Smithsonian Institution, the Smithsonian Castle and the Arts & Industries Building! Meet one of our volunteer docents by the sign on the west side of the Castle on Jefferson Drive, SW, in front of the S. Dillon Ripley Center.
Tours subject to volunteer availability and weather conditions; last-minute cancellations may occur. Inquire at the Castle information desk. No registration is required.
Venue: Smithsonian Castle. Event Location: The tour begins at the sign on the west side of the Castle on Jefferson Drive, SW, in front of the S. Dillon Ripley Center. Cost: Free. No registration or tickets (walk up). Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Wednesday, June 10, 2026, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM.
Meet the Wheelwoman
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Meet a cyclist pursuing Life, Liberty, and Happiness in the rapidly changing world of the 1890s. The explosive popularity of the safety bicycle at the turn of the century led to more personal mobility and independence for women, empowering them to advocate for change—whether it be less restrictive clothing, improved infrastructure, or even woman suffrage.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: 1 West. Cost: Free. Categories: Demonstrations. Performances. Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: Patrick F. Taylor Foundation Object Project. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Wednesday, June 10, 2026, 1:30 PM – 2:00 PM.
Rocks: Time Capsules from Earth’s Past
One-Time Events
Rocks are constantly being made and remade within the earth and on its surface. By recording their own history, rocks record the earth’s history. Come and chat with Nailah Johnson, Geology Contractor from the US Geological Survey, and “rock detective.” Learn about the different types of rock from the rock cycle, and the stories hidden in each rock.
Venue: Natural History Museum. Event Location: 2nd Floor, Geology, Gems, and Minerals Hall. Cost: Free and open to the public. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Wednesday, June 10, 2026, 1:30 PM – 3:30 PM.
Ghidorah, The Three-Headed Monster
Films
After laying waste to an alien civilization on Venus, the three-headed, lightning-emitting space monster Ghidorah brings its insatiable thirst for destruction to Earth. The monstrous foes Godzilla, Rodan, and Mothra must join forces in order to deal with the unprecedented threat. An electrifying screen debut for Godzilla’s archenemy Ghidorah, this film also marks a turning point for the series—for the first time, the King of the Monsters acts to protect the planet. Description adapted from Janus Films.
Director: Ishirō Honda. Country: Japan. Released: 1964. Length: 92 min. Format: DCP. Language: Japanese with English subtitles. Image courtesy of Janus Films.
Venue: Asian Art Museum. Building: West Building. Event Location: Meyer Auditorium. Cost: Free. Register in advance (recommended). Get Tickets/Register: https://nmaamatinees.eventive.org/schedule/6949762530ce9578cb604536. Categories: Films. Accessibility: Assisted listening devices. Captioning. Wheelchair accessible.
Wednesday, June 10, 2026, 2:00 PM – 3:45 PM.
SHOUT
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Join our ensemble of performers as they sing, dance, and teach through storytelling. Learn about the ring shout—a powerful practice blending song and rhythmic movement created by enslaved communities in the 1700s and 1800s. They combined various religious practices of Europe and Africa, creating a cultural tradition that became iconically American. Connect their syncopated musical rhythms from the past to the present and learn how music can be a form of joyful resistance in times of oppression.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Wallace H. Coulter Performance Plaza, 1 West. Cost: Free. Categories: Performances. Kids & Families. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. Assisted listening devices.
Wednesday, June 10, 2026, 2:00 PM – 2:30 PM.
Tour | The Peacock Room at 150
Gallery Talks & Tours
Learn how a dining room built in London 150 years ago has become one of the most famous artworks in the United States today. This free guided tour closely examines American artist James McNeill Whistler’s famed Peacock Room, inspired by Asian art and decorated with Chinese blue and white porcelain. James McNeill Whistler (American, 1834–1903); Harmony in Blue and Gold: The Peacock Room (detail); United Kingdom, 1876–77; room installation, oil paint and gold leaf on canvas, leather, mosaic tile, glass, and wood; National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution, Freer Collection, Gift of Charles Lang Freer, F1904.61.
Venue: Asian Art Museum. Building: West Building. Event Location: Meet at Information Desk. Cost: Free. No registration or tickets (walk-up only). Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Wednesday, June 10, 2026, 2:15 PM – 3:15 PM.
Meet the Wheelwoman
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Meet a cyclist pursuing Life, Liberty, and Happiness in the rapidly changing world of the 1890s. The explosive popularity of the safety bicycle at the turn of the century led to more personal mobility and independence for women, empowering them to advocate for change—whether it be less restrictive clothing, improved infrastructure, or even woman suffrage.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: 1 West. Cost: Free. Categories: Demonstrations. Performances. Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: Patrick F. Taylor Foundation Object Project. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Wednesday, June 10, 2026, 2:30 PM – 3:00 PM.
Spotlight Talk: Vishnu's Cosmic Ocean
Gallery Talks & Tours
Catch a twenty-minute gallery talk about the largest bronze ever cast in Southeast Asia in Vishnu’s Cosmic Ocean. At nearly twenty feet, this newly conserved sculpture depicts Vishnu dreaming the universe into existence. Delve into its original context in ancient Angkor and the present-day Cambodian community. Composite image: (top) Vishnu Reclining on the Serpent Ananta (Endless One); Cambodia, Siem Reap province, second half of 11th century; bronze, mercury gilding; National Museum of Cambodia, Phnom Penh; Photograph by Mario Ciampi, ©️ Guicciardini & Magni Architetti / (bottom) Still from the short film Awkun; National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution, Film by praCh Ly.
Venue: Asian Art Museum. Building: East Building. Event Location: Gallery 22c. Cost: Free. No registration or tickets (walk-up only). Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Wednesday, June 10, 2026, 3:00 PM – 3:20 PM.
Castle Docent Tours
Ongoing Tours
Join us for an outdoor tour of the first two buildings in the Smithsonian Institution, the Smithsonian Castle and the Arts & Industries Building! Meet one of our volunteer docents by the sign on the west side of the Castle on Jefferson Drive, SW, in front of the S. Dillon Ripley Center.
Tours subject to volunteer availability and weather conditions; last-minute cancellations may occur. Inquire at the Castle information desk. No registration is required.
Venue: Smithsonian Castle. Event Location: The tour begins at the sign on the west side of the Castle on Jefferson Drive, SW, in front of the S. Dillon Ripley Center. Cost: Free. No registration or tickets (walk up). Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Wednesday, June 10, 2026, 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM.
U Street: Shaped by History, Musical Legends, and Relative Newcomers
All Programs
The U Street NW neighborhood has long been a vibrant corridor for the rich social, civic, and cultural life of Washington's African American community. Join local guide Lynn O’Connell on a walking tour that focuses on the history of the neighborhood. Sites visited include the African American Civil War Memorial, the legendary Howard Theatre, and the locations of one-of-a-kind murals featuring such history makers as Duke Ellington and go-go legend Chuck Brown.
Event Location: Tour meets by the African American Civil War Memorial (Spirit of Freedom) at the. Cost: View registration price. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/u-street-1CWC08?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Categories: Workshops.
Wednesday, June 10, 2026, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM.
Grant Wood: The Man Behind American Gothic
All Programs
Grant Wood, famed for one of America’s most iconic paintings, crafted a nostalgic public image that masked a far more intricate inner life. Art historian and Wood biographer R. Tripp Evans uncovers the tensions between the “farmer painter” persona, and his artistic, familial, and personal influences. Through Wood’s personal documents and paintings, Evans presents a multidimensional portrait of a man who became an unwitting national symbol. (World Art History Certificate elective, 1/2 credit).
Event Location: This online program is presented on Zoom. Online Link: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/grant-wood?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Cost: View registration price. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/grant-wood?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Categories: Workshops.
Wednesday, June 10, 2026, 6:45 PM – 8:00 PM.
Thingvellir National Park
All Programs
Spread out over a scenic rift valley created by the separation of two tectonic plates and riddled with unusual geologic features, Thingvellir National Park marks the site of the first open-air parliament in Iceland. It also serves as the historical backdrop for the transformation of seafaring Vikings into some of the most isolated and hardy farmers in the world. Historian Justin M. Jacobs explores the Vikings’ migrations, their strategies for survival on an impoverished and volatile island, and the innovative political institutions they developed to prevent large-scale violence in Iceland.
Event Location: This online program is presented on Zoom. Online Link: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/thingvellir?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Cost: View registration price. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/thingvellir?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223.
Wednesday, June 10, 2026, 6:45 PM – 8:15 PM.
The Smithsonian Museums: Tracing the Arc of American Architecture
All Programs
The Smithsonian Institution has shaped the character of the National Mall since 1855. Washington’s most beloved museums trace the arc of American architecture, from James Renwick’s Gothic design of the Smithsonian Castle to the contemporary National Museum of African American History and Culture designed by a collaborative team led by David Adjaye, Philip Freelon, and J. Max Bond Jr. Romanesque to Victorian, Neoclassical to Brutalist, each unique building is an architectural study all its own. Carolyn Muraskin, founder of DC Design Tours, investigates the backstories behind these celebrated structures. (World Art History Certificate elective, 1/2 credit).
Event Location: This online program is presented on Zoom. Online Link: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/smithsonian-museums-architecture?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Cost: View registration price. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/smithsonian-museums-architecture?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Categories: Workshops.
Wednesday, June 10, 2026, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM.
A Toni Morrison Community Read-Out
“By the People” Events
6:30–8 p.m. ET
Shaker Heights Public Library and the Cleveland Association of Black Storytellers present a Toni Morrison Community Read-Out, an evening of shared reading, live performance, and conversation celebrating Song of Solomon. As part of Beloved: Ohio Celebrates Toni Morrison, this program invites community members to read the novel in advance—available through the library catalog and local bookstores—and then gather for collective reflection and discussion. The evening will include a featured performance alongside shared reading and conversation.
See more events in the Beloved: Ohio Celebrates Toni Morrison series across the state.
Categories: Films. Performances. Cost: Free. Event Location: Shaker Heights, Ohio.
Thursday, June 11, 2026.
Shaker Heights Public Library
Shaker Heights, OH.
For more info visit ohiocelebratestonimorrison.org. US@250: Big Watch Film Screening & Discussion
“By the People” Events
5:30 p.m. ET
Together, we’ll watch a short excerpt from THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION, a new film directed by Ken Burns, Sarah Botstein and David Schmidt, followed by a community discussion. The featured segment from THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION,“The Spirit of Service,” explores service as a core American value, from the nation’s founding through to the present day – examining volunteerism, civic participation, public leadership, and more. Expert facilitators will guide thoughtful conversations about “remembering together,” considering questions such as: What moments from our past define who we are and point to a shared future? , What are the key historical moments in your town’s or community’s history? , How does focusing on these moments shape your sense of your community’s future? See more events in the Big Watch series across the state of New Hampshire.
Categories: Lectures & Discussions. Films. Cost: Free. Get Tickets/Register: https://www.nhhumanities.org/programs/3191/us250-big-watch-film-screening-amp-discussion. Event Location: Gilford, New Hampshire.
Thursday, June 11, 2026.
Gilford Public Library
Gilford, NH.
For more info visit www.nhhumanities.org. Castle Docent Tours
Ongoing Tours
Join us for an outdoor tour of the first two buildings in the Smithsonian Institution, the Smithsonian Castle and the Arts & Industries Building! Meet one of our volunteer docents by the sign on the west side of the Castle on Jefferson Drive, SW, in front of the S. Dillon Ripley Center.
Tours subject to volunteer availability and weather conditions; last-minute cancellations may occur. Inquire at the Castle information desk. No registration is required.
Venue: Smithsonian Castle. Event Location: The tour begins at the sign on the west side of the Castle on Jefferson Drive, SW, in front of the S. Dillon Ripley Center. Cost: Free. No registration or tickets (walk up). Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Thursday, June 11, 2026, 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM.
Little Critters: Nature Play at the Bird House (World Ocean Day)
NZP Kids and Families
Dive into fun! Celebrate World Ocean Day with creative, drop-in play at the Zoo as we learn about the ocean and the animals that live there. Little Critters: Nature Play is designed for ages 0-5 and their caregivers and families. Activities are designed with early learners in mind, but all ages are welcome. Parents and guardians must remain with their children.
Location: Bird House Classroom.
Venue: National Zoo. Event Location: Bird House Classroom. Cost: Free drop-in program; no pre-registration required.Parents and guardians must remain with their children. Categories: Kids & Families. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Thursday, June 11, 2026, 9:30 AM – 1:30 PM.
For more info visit nationalzoo.si.edu. Storytime Studio: Journey to the Sun
One time events
ABOUT STORYTIME STUDIO
Storytime Studio is a captivating blend of play, educator-led read-alouds, and art exploration designed for kids from birth to age 6 and their caregivers. During each hourlong session, starting at 10 and 11 AM every Wednesday and Thursday, visitors are welcomed into our studio to enjoy a special Storytime adventure.
Storytime Studio has limited capacity. Entry is first-come, first-served. THIS WEEK
Travel to the sun with help from Joan Miró and educators from The Phillips Collection. Miró was often inspired by celestial bodies in his work, including his painting Woman and Little Girl in Front of the Sun (1946), on view in Revolutions. We’ll feel the heat as we touch the sun during our read-aloud and use UV rays to create cyanotype “sun prints” inspired by Miró’s work.
Interested in learning more about Miró? Don’t miss the Phillips’ exhibition Miró and the United States, on view through July 5. Plus, join Art School educators at The Phillips Plays drop-in family program on June 13…
Venue: Hirshhorn Museum. Event Location: Meet in the Art School on the Lower Level. Cost: Free. Categories: Kids & Families. Related Events: Storytime Studio, About Hirshhorn Kids, Visiting with Kids, Art Project: Catch the Sun.
Thursday, June 11, 2026, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM.
For more info visit hirshhorn.si.edu. Spark!Lab
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Spark!Lab is where museum visitors become inventors. The Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention and Innovation invites children between the ages of 6 and 12 to create, collaborate, explore, test, experiment and invent. Activities for children and families incorporate traditional science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) with art, history and creativity.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Spark!Lab, First Floor, West Wing. Cost: Free; first come, first served. Categories: Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: Places of Invention, Inventive Minds, Landmark Object: Ralph Baer's Workshop, Inventing in America.
Thursday, June 11, 2026, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM.
For more info visit invention.si.edu. Wonderplace
Ongoing Tours & Activities
This learning space designed especially for children ages six and under combines age appropriate activities with museum collections and touchable objects to provide a gateway to history and a place to exercise curiosity for the youngest historians.
Admission to Wonderplace is on a first come, first-served basis. At busy times, we may use FREE, timed tickets to minimize wait time if needed. Tickets are available for 30-minute visits on a first-come, first-served basis. No tickets are required for the first session from 10:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. To visit during a later half-hour session, visitors may pick up a ticket at Wonderplace in 1 West. The last entry using timed tickets is at 3:30 p.m.
Hours are subject to change.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Wonderplace, 1 West. Cost: Free; first come, first served. Categories: Kids & Families. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Thursday, June 11, 2026, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM.
Wonderplace
Ongoing Tours & Activities
This learning space designed especially for children ages six and under combines age appropriate activities with museum collections and touchable objects to provide a gateway to history and a place to exercise curiosity for the youngest historians.
Admission to Wonderplace is on a first come, first-served basis. At busy times, we may use FREE, timed tickets to minimize wait time if needed. Tickets are available for 30-minute visits on a first-come, first-served basis. No tickets are required for the first session from 10:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. To visit during a later half-hour session, visitors may pick up a ticket at Wonderplace in 1 West. The last entry using timed tickets is at 3:30 p.m.
Hours are subject to change.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Wonderplace, 1 West. Cost: Free; first come, first served. Categories: Kids & Families. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Thursday, June 11, 2026, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM.
Big Objects, Big Stories: Point of Pines Plantation Slave Cabin
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Join us for a docent-led tour to get a fresh look into the Museum's featured object. At each of these 15-minute talks visitors will hear incredibly big stories about a big object.
About this Program: Visitors cannot overlook the Point of Pines Plantation Slave Cabin, a circa early 1800s slave cabin from the Point of Pines Plantation on Edisto Island, S.C. The cabin is one of two remaining slave dwellings on Edisto Island. Its story provides a revealing glimpse into the most formative and troubling chapters in American history.
Venue: African American History and Culture Museum. Event Location: Program meets at the Point of Pines Planation Slave Cabin, Level C3. Talks take place at: 10:30 AM and 12:30 PM. Cost: Free; walk-in
Tours are subject to docent availability; last minute cancellations may occur. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours.
Thursday, June 11, 2026, 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM.
Slavery and Freedom Highlights Tour
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Explore the complex story of slavery and freedom. Visitors will view priceless objects, connect to the past, and hear about the actions of ordinary men and women, demanding freedom and transforming our nation.
Photo Credit: NMAAHC.
Venue: African American History and Culture Museum. Event Location: Program meets in the Slavery & Freedom exhibition, located on C3. One hour tours take place at 10:15 AM and 11:45 AM. Cost: Free; walk-in
Tours are subject to docent availability; last minute cancellations may occur. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours.
Thursday, June 11, 2026, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM.
Interactive Programs
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Docents offer interactive programming throughout the museum, in the form of Highlights tours of the museum, gallery spotlight talks, and hands-on cart programs.
Tours of the museum’s highlights generally take place daily at 10:15 AM and 1 PM. Additional tours may be offered on the hour between 11 AM and 3 PM as docents are available. Please check either Welcome Desk for today’s schedule.
Gallery spotlight talks take place throughout the day. Docents offer a 15-minute overview of an exhibition or briefly discuss a favorite museum object. Look for the "Docent on Duty" signs posted outside the exhibition entrances.
Docents stationed at carts help visitors get their hands on history and learn about the museum's collections. Carts are located throughout the museum, and you can check either Welcome Desk for today’s schedule.
Year-Round:
Available most days between 10:30 AM and 3:30 PM.
Notes:
Programs are subject to docent availability; last-minute cancellations may occur.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Multiple floors. Cost: Free. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Assisted listening devices. Wheelchair accessible.
Thursday, June 11, 2026, 10:15 AM – 3:15 PM.
Flights of Fancy Story Time: Construction Site: Taking Flight
Ongoing Activities
Learn how construction vehicles like belt loaders and snowplows help to build airport runways and clear snow. This wonderful story by Sherri Duskey Rinker with rhyming text and vibrant illustrations invites us to learn how helping others is fun.
Takes place each at the National Air and Space Museum in DC each Thursday at 11 am.
No event reservations, but remember to get your free timed-entry pass to the Museum.
These programs are made possible through the generous support of the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation.
Venue: Air and Space Museum. Event Location: At the National Air and Space Museum in DC. Ask at the Welcome Center for that day's exact location. Cost: This is a free drop-in story time. You will need free timed-entry passes to enter the Museum. Categories: Kids & Families.
Thursday, June 11, 2026, 11:00 AM – 11:30 AM.
For more info visit airandspace.si.edu. Big Objects, Big Stories: Southern Railway Car No. 1200
Ongoing Tours & Activities
At each of these 15-minute talks visitors will hear incredibly big stories about a big object. Visit the Southern Railway No. 1200, a segregated passenger from the Jim Crow era. Get the inside scope, about the role of Pullman porters and coach attendants—key figures in the African American community.
Photo Credit: NMAAHC.
Venue: African American History and Culture Museum. Event Location: Program meets at the railway car, Defending Freedom, Defining Freedom: The Era of Segregation 1876-1968 exhibition, located on C2. Each 15-minute program starts at: 11:00 AM, 12:00 PM, and 12:30 PM. Cost: Free; walk-in
Tours are subject to docent availability; last minute cancellations may occur. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Related Exhibition: Defending Freedom, Defining Freedom: The Era of Segregation 1876-1968.
Thursday, June 11, 2026, 11:00 AM – 12:45 PM.
Flights of Fancy Story Time: Construction Site: Taking Flight
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Learn how construction vehicles like belt loaders and snowplows help to build airport runways and clear snow. This wonderful story by Sherri Duskey Rinker with rhyming text and vibrant illustrations invites us to learn how helping others is fun.
Takes place at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center each Tuesday and Thursday at 11 am and 11:30 am.
These programs are made possible through the generous support of the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation.
Venue: Air and Space Museum Udvar-Hazy Center. Event Location: At the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center. Ask at the Welcome Center for the exact location of that day's story time. Cost: Free, Parking $15. Categories: Kids & Families.
Thursday, June 11, 2026, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM.
For more info visit airandspace.si.edu. Castle Docent Tours
Ongoing Tours
Join us for an outdoor tour of the first two buildings in the Smithsonian Institution, the Smithsonian Castle and the Arts & Industries Building! Meet one of our volunteer docents by the sign on the west side of the Castle on Jefferson Drive, SW, in front of the S. Dillon Ripley Center.
Tours subject to volunteer availability and weather conditions; last-minute cancellations may occur. Inquire at the Castle information desk. No registration is required.
Venue: Smithsonian Castle. Event Location: The tour begins at the sign on the west side of the Castle on Jefferson Drive, SW, in front of the S. Dillon Ripley Center. Cost: Free. No registration or tickets (walk up). Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Thursday, June 11, 2026, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM.
Highlights Tour
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Look for our friendly volunteer at the Information Desk for a 45 minute tour of the highlights of the museum.
Venue: Postal Museum. Event Location: Starts at the Information Desk in the Historic Lobby. Cost: Free. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Assisted listening devices. Wheelchair accessible.
Thursday, June 11, 2026, 11:30 AM – 12:15 PM.
Ocean Topics Cart Chat
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Looking for a deeper dive into ocean topics? Come and find one of our Ocean Educators to explore some of the latest discoveries in marine science, stationed at an interactive cart in the Sant Ocean Hall.
Image Credit: Phillip R. Lee, Smithsonian Institution.
Venue: Natural History Museum. Event Location: 1st Floor, The Sant Ocean Hall. Cost: Free and open to the public. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Related Exhibition: The Sant Ocean Hall. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Thursday, June 11, 2026, 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM.
Tours | Arts of Japan
Gallery Talks & Tours
As the seasons change, enjoy a free, hour-long guided tour of the museum’s renowned collection of Japanese art. Experience a variety of artworks, including paintings, prints, screens, ceramics, metalwork, and more. Trees, Master of I-nen Seal (1600–1630), Japan, mid-17th century, ink, color, and gold on paper, National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution, Freer Collection, Purchase—Charles Lang Freer Endowment, F1962.30.
Venue: Asian Art Museum. Building: West Building. Event Location: Meet at Information Desk. Cost: Free. No registration or tickets (walk-up only). Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Related Exhibition: Japanese Art from the Collection , Knotted Clay: Raku Ceramics and Tea , The Print Generation , The Peacock Room , Striking Objects: Contemporary Japanese Metalwork. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Thursday, June 11, 2026, 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM.
Freedmen's Bureau Search Portal Training
One-Time Events
This workshop is an introduction to the Freedmen’s Bureau Search Portal created by the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture.
The United States Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands, commonly known as the Freedmen's Bureau, was created by Congress in 1865 to assist in the political and social reconstruction of post-war Southern states and to help formerly enslaved people make the transition from slavery to freedom and citizenship. In the process, the Bureau created millions of records that contain the names of hundreds of thousands of formerly enslaved people and Southern white refugees.
Community members will learn how to research their ancestors in the Freedmen’s Bureau records and be able to conduct searches in real time. This comprehensive search platform is designed to help family historians and genealogists find their ancestors and to assist scholars and students in researching various topics found in more than 1.7 million pages of Freedmen’s Bureau records.…
Event Location: Meeting Room, Merriweather Branch Library, 1324 Jefferson Ave, Buffalo, NY 14208. Cost: Free. Get Tickets/Register: https://tickets.si.edu/nmaahc/events/019d8d40-1cff-0583-d9c4-e50cd09be615?tg=019d8d40-1d04-2c25-d8e9-2d64b0354b2e. Categories: Workshops.
Thursday, June 11, 2026, 12:30 PM – 4:00 PM.
For more info visit tickets.si.edu. Defending Freedom, Defining Freedom Highlights Tour
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Converse with a docent. Learn how African Americans flourished in their own communities during the Era of Segregation 1876-1968 despite the turmoil around them. Under a time of intense pressure to take away their rights as citizens, African Americans not only survived the challenges set before them but crafted an important role for themselves in the nation.
Image Credit: NMAAHC.
Venue: African American History and Culture Museum. Event Location: This one-hour tour program meets in the Defending Freedom, The Era of Segregation 1876-1968 exhibit, located on C2. Tours take place at 12:45 PM and 2:45 PM. Cost: Free; walk-in
Tours are subject to docent availability; last minute cancellations may occur. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours.
Thursday, June 11, 2026, 12:45 PM – 3:45 PM.
Permanent Collection Tour
Gallery Talks & Tours
The National Museum of Asian Art has over 46,000 artworks from across Asia. Enjoy some of the finest on a docent-led tour and learn about commonalities and differences in cultures, aesthetics, and ideas.
Venue: Asian Art Museum. Building: West Building. Event Location: Meet at Information Desk. Cost: Free. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Thursday, June 11, 2026, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM.
For more info visit asia.si.edu. Castle Docent Tours
Ongoing Tours
Join us for an outdoor tour of the first two buildings in the Smithsonian Institution, the Smithsonian Castle and the Arts & Industries Building! Meet one of our volunteer docents by the sign on the west side of the Castle on Jefferson Drive, SW, in front of the S. Dillon Ripley Center.
Tours subject to volunteer availability and weather conditions; last-minute cancellations may occur. Inquire at the Castle information desk. No registration is required.
Venue: Smithsonian Castle. Event Location: The tour begins at the sign on the west side of the Castle on Jefferson Drive, SW, in front of the S. Dillon Ripley Center. Cost: Free. No registration or tickets (walk up). Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Thursday, June 11, 2026, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM.
Tours | Arts Across Asia
Gallery Talks & Tours
Enjoy a guided tour of our East Building and its range of exhibitions. These tours can feature art from any of the exhibitions currently on view, with works from cultures as diverse as ancient Iran to contemporary Japan.
Please meet at the East Building, B1 Lobby for the tour. Image: Tibetan Buddhist Shrine Room, National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution, Arthur M. Sackler Collection, The Alice S. Kandell Collection, Photo by John Bigelow Taylor.
Venue: Asian Art Museum. Building: East Building. Event Location: Meet at B1 Lobby. Cost: Free. No registration or tickets (walk-up only). Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Thursday, June 11, 2026, 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM.
Meet the Expert: Firefighters in the 1800s
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Stop by this informal session to meet curator Tim Winkle and learn about firefighters in the 1800s.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: 1 Center. Cost: Free. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Related Exhibition: In Pursuit of Life, Liberty & Happiness.
Thursday, June 11, 2026, 2:15 PM – 3:15 PM.
Tour | The Peacock Room at 150
Gallery Talks & Tours
Learn how a dining room built in London 150 years ago has become one of the most famous artworks in the United States today. This free guided tour closely examines American artist James McNeill Whistler’s famed Peacock Room, inspired by Asian art and decorated with Chinese blue and white porcelain. James McNeill Whistler (American, 1834–1903); Harmony in Blue and Gold: The Peacock Room (detail); United Kingdom, 1876–77; room installation, oil paint and gold leaf on canvas, leather, mosaic tile, glass, and wood; National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution, Freer Collection, Gift of Charles Lang Freer, F1904.61.
Venue: Asian Art Museum. Building: West Building. Event Location: Meet at Information Desk. Cost: Free. No registration or tickets (walk-up only). Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Thursday, June 11, 2026, 2:15 PM – 3:15 PM.
Spotlight Talk: Vishnu's Cosmic Ocean
Gallery Talks & Tours
Catch a twenty-minute gallery talk about the largest bronze ever cast in Southeast Asia in Vishnu’s Cosmic Ocean. At nearly twenty feet, this newly conserved sculpture depicts Vishnu dreaming the universe into existence. Delve into its original context in ancient Angkor and the present-day Cambodian community. Composite image: (top) Vishnu Reclining on the Serpent Ananta (Endless One); Cambodia, Siem Reap province, second half of 11th century; bronze, mercury gilding; National Museum of Cambodia, Phnom Penh; Photograph by Mario Ciampi, ©️ Guicciardini & Magni Architetti / (bottom) Still from the short film Awkun; National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution, Film by praCh Ly.
Venue: Asian Art Museum. Building: East Building. Event Location: Gallery 22c. Cost: Free. No registration or tickets (walk-up only). Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Thursday, June 11, 2026, 3:00 PM – 3:20 PM.
Castle Docent Tours
Ongoing Tours
Join us for an outdoor tour of the first two buildings in the Smithsonian Institution, the Smithsonian Castle and the Arts & Industries Building! Meet one of our volunteer docents by the sign on the west side of the Castle on Jefferson Drive, SW, in front of the S. Dillon Ripley Center.
Tours subject to volunteer availability and weather conditions; last-minute cancellations may occur. Inquire at the Castle information desk. No registration is required.
Venue: Smithsonian Castle. Event Location: The tour begins at the sign on the west side of the Castle on Jefferson Drive, SW, in front of the S. Dillon Ripley Center. Cost: Free. No registration or tickets (walk up). Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Thursday, June 11, 2026, 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM.
State Fairs Conversation and Close Looking with Poetry Camera
One-Time Events
SOLD OUT Join us for an evening of close looking and conversation in the exhibition, State Fairs: Growing American Craft. Using Poetry Camera, an innovative new camera that generates poems rather than photographs, attendees will “see” artworks through verse. Participants will be encouraged to slow down to notice line, texture, and color in selected artworks, then join in conversation, moderated by SAAM staff, about the poems and the extraordinary and unconventional crafts on view. Space is limited.
Venue: Renwick Gallery. Event Location: Renwick Gallery, 1st Floor. Cost: SOLD OUT. Get Tickets/Register: https://events.blackthorn.io/en/5f4ZMUx7/lessigreaterstate-fairslessigreater-conversation-and-close-looking-with-poetry-camera-5a2bVR3MHlF/overview. Categories: After Five. Lectures & Discussions. Related Exhibition: State Fairs: Growing American Craft.
Thursday, June 11, 2026, 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM.
Art Signs Gallery Talk: Artful Conversations in ASL
One-Time Events
Curious about American art? Join us for a 30-minute in-person conversation about selected works from the Smithsonian American Art Museum’s collection. This program is presented in American Sign Language (ASL) with voice interpretation for hearing participants.
Image credit: Photo by Mary Tait.
Venue: American Art Museum. Event Location: Meet in the F Street Lobby. Cost: Free | Registration required. Get Tickets/Register: https://events.blackthorn.io/5f4ZMUx7/5a2bVR3MFjR. Categories: After Five. Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: ASL-interpreted program.
Thursday, June 11, 2026, 5:30 PM – 6:00 PM.
The Outwin 2025 tour with Smithsonian Gardens
One-Time Events
Calling all art lovers and green thumbs! Join a National Portrait Gallery educator and a Smithsonian Gardens horticulturist on a special tour through the exhibition The Outwin 2025: American Portraiture Today. We will highlight the use of plants as symbols and settings in contemporary portraiture and discuss the characteristics and special care of the indoor plants featured in the exhibition. This Smithsonian collaboration focuses on the beauty of nature – on canvas and in real life.
Event Location: G Street Lobby. Cost: Free. Registration Required. Get Tickets/Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-outwin-2025-tour-with-smithsonian-gardens-tickets-1989927513761?aff=oddtdtcreator. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. After Five.
Thursday, June 11, 2026, 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM.
For more info visit www.eventbrite.com. Transformed and Deformed: The Prints of Tsukioka Yoshitoshi
All Programs
Tsukioka Yoshitoshi (1839-1892) is often regarded as the last ukiyo-e artist, working across the transition between the feudal Edo period (1603-1868) and the Westernization of Japan in the Meiji era (1868-1912). Yoshitoshi is known as an artist of the macabre and bizarre. However, this ghoulish reputation can obscure the important contributions he made to the development of new artistic genres. Kit Brooks, curator of Asian art at the Princeton University Art Museum, explores Yoshitoshi's career, examining what makes his art—and life—so haunting. (World Art History Certificate elective, 1/2 credit).
Event Location: This online program is presented on Zoom. Online Link: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/prints-of-yoshitoshi?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Cost: View registration price. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/prints-of-yoshitoshi?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Categories: Workshops.
Thursday, June 11, 2026, 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM.
The Evolutionary Story of Human Sleep
All Programs
What does human evolution reveal about the way we sleep—and why do so many people struggle today? David R. Samson, associate professor of evolutionary anthropology at the University of Toronto, uncovers how our ancestors’ move from the safety of the forest canopy to more dangerous ground shaped the brain’s unique sleep patterns we follow today. He offers insights into how a fundamental yet overlooked aspect of human biology has shaped the evolutionary trajectory and continues to influence daily lives.
Event Location: This online program is presented on Zoom. Online Link: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/evolutionary-story-of-human-sleep?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Cost: View registration price. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/evolutionary-story-of-human-sleep?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223.
Thursday, June 11, 2026, 6:45 PM – 8:00 PM.
Fiddle & Fork Festival
“Of the People” Festivals
Presented by the Blue Ridge Music Center and The Bluffs Restaurant, Fiddle & Fork Festival celebrates the music and foodways of the Blue Ridge Mountain region that stretches from Alabama to Pennsylvania. In its inaugural year, the festival includes an immersive dinner of locally sourced ingredients, music performances, food and craft demonstrations, and interviews with local musicians.
Categories: Performances. Culinary Arts. Demonstrations. Cost: Kick-Off Dinner: Tickets on sale soon
An Evening with Steep Canyon Rangers: $20-45
All other events are free and open to the public. Get Tickets/Register: https://www.blueridgemusiccenter.org/concert-events/steep-canyon-rangers-2026/. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. Assisted listening devices. Event Location: Galax, Virginia.
Friday, June 12, 2026 – Sunday, June 14, 2026.
The Bluffs
Sparta, NC
Blue Ridge Music Center
Galax, VA.
For more info visit www.blueridgemusiccenter.org. Castle Docent Tours
Ongoing Tours
Join us for an outdoor tour of the first two buildings in the Smithsonian Institution, the Smithsonian Castle and the Arts & Industries Building! Meet one of our volunteer docents by the sign on the west side of the Castle on Jefferson Drive, SW, in front of the S. Dillon Ripley Center.
Tours subject to volunteer availability and weather conditions; last-minute cancellations may occur. Inquire at the Castle information desk. No registration is required.
Venue: Smithsonian Castle. Event Location: The tour begins at the sign on the west side of the Castle on Jefferson Drive, SW, in front of the S. Dillon Ripley Center. Cost: Free. No registration or tickets (walk up). Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Friday, June 12, 2026, 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM.
Spark!Lab
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Spark!Lab is where museum visitors become inventors. The Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention and Innovation invites children between the ages of 6 and 12 to create, collaborate, explore, test, experiment and invent. Activities for children and families incorporate traditional science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) with art, history and creativity.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Spark!Lab, First Floor, West Wing. Cost: Free; first come, first served. Categories: Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: Places of Invention, Inventive Minds, Landmark Object: Ralph Baer's Workshop, Inventing in America.
Friday, June 12, 2026, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM.
For more info visit invention.si.edu. Wonderplace
Ongoing Tours & Activities
This learning space designed especially for children ages six and under combines age appropriate activities with museum collections and touchable objects to provide a gateway to history and a place to exercise curiosity for the youngest historians.
Due to inclement weather, Wonderplace will open at 12 noon on Friday, January 19, pending staff availability. We will update this entry if the operating status for Wonderplace changes. We apologize for any inconvenience.
Admission to Wonderplace is on a first come, first-served basis.At busy times, we may use FREE, timed tickets to minimize wait time if needed. Tickets are available for 30-minute visits on a first-come, first-served basis. No tickets are required for the first session from 10:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. To visit during a later half-hour session, visitors may pick up a ticket at Wonderplace in 1 West. The last entry using timed tickets is at 3:30 p.m.
Hours are subject to change.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Wonderplace, 1 West. Cost: Free; first come, first served. Categories: Kids & Families. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Friday, June 12, 2026, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM.
Story Time
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Stamp your calendar for Story Time! Join us every week for a fresh story, a stroll through the Museum, hands-on postal play, and more. Together, we’ll explore mail and all the ways it connects us to people, places, and big ideas.
Stop by anytime—whether you stay for one activity or the whole session, this program will get everyone’s “stamp of approval”.
Meet in the Museum Lobby.
If there are services or accommodations that can improve your experience (e.g. ASL interpretation, etc.), please contact NPMprograms@si.edu; 1–2 week’s advance notice is recommended but not required.
Venue: Postal Museum. Event Location: Meet in the Historic Lobby. Cost: Free ; no registration required. Categories: Kids & Families.
Friday, June 12, 2026, 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM.
Enid A. Haupt Garden Tour
Smithsonian Gardens
Take your morning break with us in the garden! Meet one of our knowledgeable volunteers by the sign just inside the stone garden gates on Independence Avenue, SW. No reservation is required.
Venue: Smithsonian Gardens. Event Location: The garden tour begins just inside the stone garden gates on Independence Avenue. Look for the tour sign. Cost: Free
Tours may be subject to cancellation in the event of inclement weather. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Friday, June 12, 2026, 10:00 AM – 10:45 AM.
Interactive Programs
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Docents offer interactive programming throughout the museum, in the form of Highlights tours of the museum, gallery spotlight talks, and hands-on cart programs.
Tours of the museum’s highlights generally take place daily at 10:15 AM and 1 PM. Additional tours may be offered on the hour between 11 AM and 3 PM as docents are available. Please check either Welcome Desk for today’s schedule.
Gallery spotlight talks take place throughout the day. Docents offer a 15-minute overview of an exhibition or briefly discuss a favorite museum object. Look for the "Docent on Duty" signs posted outside the exhibition entrances.
Docents stationed at carts help visitors get their hands on history and learn about the museum's collections. Carts are located throughout the museum, and you can check either Welcome Desk for today’s schedule.
Year-Round:
Available most days between 10:30 AM and 3:30 PM.
Notes:
Programs are subject to docent availability; last-minute cancellations may occur.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Multiple floors. Cost: Free. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Assisted listening devices. Wheelchair accessible.
Friday, June 12, 2026, 10:15 AM – 3:15 PM.
Big Moments, Little Stories
One-Time Events
Discover the power of storytelling and community through our early learners storytime experience inspired by We Make History! Through engaging stories, interactive gallery moments, and hands-on activities, children and caregivers will explore how everyday people, neighborhoods, and changemakers shape history in Washington, D.C. and beyond. Together, young learners will build curiosity and creativity.
Recommended Audience: 18 months – 7 years
Time and Schedule: 10: 30 a.m.
Duration: About 1 hour.
Venue: Anacostia Community Museum. Event Location: Sunburst Lounge. Cost: Free. Get Tickets/Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/big-moments-little-stories-tickets-1990727334045?aff=oddtdtcreator. Categories: Kids & Families.
Friday, June 12, 2026, 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM.
Freedmen's Bureau Search Portal Training
One-Time Events
This workshop is an introduction to the Freedmen’s Bureau Search Portal created by the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture.
The United States Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands, commonly known as the Freedmen's Bureau, was created by Congress in 1865 to assist in the political and social reconstruction of post-war Southern states and to help formerly enslaved people make the transition from slavery to freedom and citizenship. In the process, the Bureau created millions of records that contain the names of hundreds of thousands of formerly enslaved people and Southern white refugees.
Community members will learn how to research their ancestors in the Freedmen’s Bureau records and be able to conduct searches in real time. This comprehensive search platform is designed to help family historians and genealogists find their ancestors and to assist scholars and students in researching various topics found in more than 1.7 million pages of Freedmen’s Bureau records.…
Event Location: Meeting Room, Merriweather Branch Library, 1324 Jefferson Ave, Buffalo, NY 14208. Cost: Free. Get Tickets/Register: https://tickets.si.edu/nmaahc/events/019d8d40-1cff-0583-d9c4-e50cd09be615?tg=019d8d40-1d04-2c25-d8e9-2d64b0354b2e. Categories: Workshops.
Friday, June 12, 2026, 10:30 AM – 2:00 PM.
For more info visit tickets.si.edu. NY | Curator Tour: Native New York—From the Bronx to Buffalo
One-Time Events
Reflect on 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence with a special curator-led tour of the ongoing exhibition, Native New York. The Revolutionary War (1775–1783) tested the bonds of the Haudenosaunee (Mohawk, Oneida, Tuscarora, Onondaga, Cayuga, and Seneca nations) Confederacy, an alliance of six nations that controlled most of the territory now known as New York State. Neighboring nations were also drawn into the conflict and all were forced to choose sides or try to remain neutral. Learn more about Indigenous history on both frontiers of the war in relation to the Mohican, Oneida, and Cayuga communities and in the war’s aftermath at Buffalo Creek.
Image courtesy of C&G Partners.
Venue: American Indian Museum NY. Event Location: Level 2: Exhibition Gallery. Cost: Free. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Related Exhibition: Native New York. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Friday, June 12, 2026, 11:00 AM – 11:30 AM.
SHOUT
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Join our ensemble of performers as they sing, dance, and teach through storytelling. Learn about the ring shout—a powerful practice blending song and rhythmic movement created by enslaved communities in the 1700s and 1800s. They combined various religious practices of Europe and Africa, creating a cultural tradition that became iconically American. Connect their syncopated musical rhythms from the past to the present and learn how music can be a form of joyful resistance in times of oppression.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Wallace H. Coulter Performance Plaza, 1 West. Cost: Free. Categories: Performances. Kids & Families. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. Assisted listening devices.
Friday, June 12, 2026, 11:00 AM – 11:30 AM.
Big Objects, Big Stories: Southern Railway Car No. 1200
Ongoing Tours & Activities
At each of these 15-minute talks visitors will hear incredibly big stories about a big object. Visit the Southern Railway No. 1200, a segregated passenger from the Jim Crow era. Get the inside scope, about the role of Pullman porters and coach attendants—key figures in the African American community.
Photo Credit: NMAAHC.
Venue: African American History and Culture Museum. Event Location: Program meets at the railway car, Defending Freedom, Defining Freedom: The Era of Segregation 1876-1968 exhibition, located on C2. Each 15-minute program starts at: 11:00 AM, 12:00 PM, and 12:30 PM. Cost: Free; walk-in
Tours are subject to docent availability; last minute cancellations may occur. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Related Exhibition: Defending Freedom, Defining Freedom: The Era of Segregation 1876-1968.
Friday, June 12, 2026, 11:00 AM – 12:45 PM.
Castle Docent Tours
Ongoing Tours
Join us for an outdoor tour of the first two buildings in the Smithsonian Institution, the Smithsonian Castle and the Arts & Industries Building! Meet one of our volunteer docents by the sign on the west side of the Castle on Jefferson Drive, SW, in front of the S. Dillon Ripley Center.
Tours subject to volunteer availability and weather conditions; last-minute cancellations may occur. Inquire at the Castle information desk. No registration is required.
Venue: Smithsonian Castle. Event Location: The tour begins at the sign on the west side of the Castle on Jefferson Drive, SW, in front of the S. Dillon Ripley Center. Cost: Free. No registration or tickets (walk up). Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Friday, June 12, 2026, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM.
Meet the Wheelwoman
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Meet a cyclist pursuing Life, Liberty, and Happiness in the rapidly changing world of the 1890s. The explosive popularity of the safety bicycle at the turn of the century led to more personal mobility and independence for women, empowering them to advocate for change—whether it be less restrictive clothing, improved infrastructure, or even woman suffrage.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: 1 West. Cost: Free. Categories: Demonstrations. Performances. Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: Patrick F. Taylor Foundation Object Project. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Friday, June 12, 2026, 11:30 AM – 12:00 PM.
Highlights Tour
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Look for our friendly volunteer at the Information Desk for a 45 minute tour of the highlights of the museum.
Venue: Postal Museum. Event Location: Starts at the Information Desk in the Historic Lobby. Cost: Free. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Assisted listening devices. Wheelchair accessible.
Friday, June 12, 2026, 11:30 AM – 12:15 PM.
Tours | Arts of China
Gallery Talks & Tours
Examine the diverse artistic and cultural traditions of one of the world’s oldest civilizations in this in-person, docent-led tour. Learn about Chinese artworks such as ritual bronze vessels, calligraphy, brush paintings in ink and color, and exquisite ceramics.
Please meet at the West Building Information Desk for the tour. Dish with foliate flaring rim; Ming dynasty, Xuande reign, 1426–35; Jingdezhen ware; porcelain with cobalt pigment under colorless glaze; H x Diam: 4.8 × 21.3 cm; National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution, Freer Collection, Purchase—Charles Lang Freer Endowment, F1951.13a-b.
Venue: Asian Art Museum. Building: West Building. Event Location: Meet at Information Desk. Cost: Free. No registration or tickets (walk-up only). Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Friday, June 12, 2026, 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM.
American Realism
All Programs
American Realism usually refers to the Ashcan School, led by Robert Henri, which portrayed New York City’s gritty life around 1900. But “realism” also describes earlier artists like John Singleton Copley, trompe l’oeil painters such as Rembrandt Peale and William Harnett, and 19th century figures including Winslow Homer, Thomas Eakins, and John Singer Sargent. The term later extended to movements like Socialist Realism and Photo Realism. Art historian Heidi Applegate traces these varied meanings across art history. (World Art History Certificate elective, 1/2 credit).
Event Location: This online program is presented on Zoom. Online Link: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/american-realism?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Cost: View registration price. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/american-realism?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Categories: Workshops.
Friday, June 12, 2026, 12:00 PM – 1:15 PM.
Meditation and Mindfulness
Workshops
Register to join the sessions.
Join a free online guided meditation. In these 30-minute sessions, DC-based meditation teachers lead a variety of mindfulness practices. Friday sessions take inspiration from art in our museum’s collections.
All are welcome! No previous experience is required. Image: Katsushika Hokusai / National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution, Freer Collection, Gift of Charles Lang Freer, F1904.269.
Event Location: Online. Online Link: https://smithsonian.zoom.us/meeting/register/ymJH4SNfSjKwSlHROFxfyw. Cost: Free; registration required. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonian.zoom.us/meeting/register/ymJH4SNfSjKwSlHROFxfyw. Categories: Workshops. Webcasts & Online. Related Events: Meditation and Mindfulness (Online).
Friday, June 12, 2026, 12:00 PM – 12:45 PM.
NY | Curator Tour: Native New York—From the Bronx to Buffalo
One-Time Events
Reflect on 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence with a special curator-led tour of our ongoing exhibition Native New York. The Revolutionary War (1775–1783) tested the bonds of the Haudenosaunee (Mohawk, Oneida, Tuscarora, Onondaga, Cayuga, and Seneca nations) Confederacy, an alliance of six nations that controlled most of the territory now known as New York State. Neighboring nations were also drawn into the conflict and all were forced to choose sides or try to remain neutral. Learn more about Indigenous history on both frontiers of the war in relation to the Mohican, Oneida, and Cayuga communities and in the war’s aftermath at Buffalo Creek.
Image courtesy of C&G Partners.
Venue: American Indian Museum NY. Event Location: Level 2: Exhibition Gallery. Cost: Free. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Related Exhibition: Native New York. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Friday, June 12, 2026, 1:00 PM – 1:30 PM.
SHOUT
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Join our ensemble of performers as they sing, dance, and teach through storytelling. Learn about the ring shout—a powerful practice blending song and rhythmic movement created by enslaved communities in the 1700s and 1800s. They combined various religious practices of Europe and Africa, creating a cultural tradition that became iconically American. Connect their syncopated musical rhythms from the past to the present and learn how music can be a form of joyful resistance in times of oppression.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Wallace H. Coulter Performance Plaza, 1 West. Cost: Free. Categories: Performances. Kids & Families. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. Assisted listening devices.
Friday, June 12, 2026, 1:00 PM – 1:30 PM.
Permanent Collection Tour
Gallery Talks & Tours
The National Museum of Asian Art has over 46,000 artworks from across Asia. Enjoy some of the finest on a docent-led tour and learn about commonalities and differences in cultures, aesthetics, and ideas.
Venue: Asian Art Museum. Building: West Building. Event Location: Meet at Information Desk. Cost: Free. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Friday, June 12, 2026, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM.
For more info visit asia.si.edu. Castle Docent Tours
Ongoing Tours
Join us for an outdoor tour of the first two buildings in the Smithsonian Institution, the Smithsonian Castle and the Arts & Industries Building! Meet one of our volunteer docents by the sign on the west side of the Castle on Jefferson Drive, SW, in front of the S. Dillon Ripley Center.
Tours subject to volunteer availability and weather conditions; last-minute cancellations may occur. Inquire at the Castle information desk. No registration is required.
Venue: Smithsonian Castle. Event Location: The tour begins at the sign on the west side of the Castle on Jefferson Drive, SW, in front of the S. Dillon Ripley Center. Cost: Free. No registration or tickets (walk up). Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Friday, June 12, 2026, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM.
Meet the Wheelwoman
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Meet a cyclist pursuing Life, Liberty, and Happiness in the rapidly changing world of the 1890s. The explosive popularity of the safety bicycle at the turn of the century led to more personal mobility and independence for women, empowering them to advocate for change—whether it be less restrictive clothing, improved infrastructure, or even woman suffrage.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: 1 West. Cost: Free. Categories: Demonstrations. Performances. Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: Patrick F. Taylor Foundation Object Project. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Friday, June 12, 2026, 1:30 PM – 2:00 PM.
SHOUT
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Join our ensemble of performers as they sing, dance, and teach through storytelling. Learn about the ring shout—a powerful practice blending song and rhythmic movement created by enslaved communities in the 1700s and 1800s. They combined various religious practices of Europe and Africa, creating a cultural tradition that became iconically American. Connect their syncopated musical rhythms from the past to the present and learn how music can be a form of joyful resistance in times of oppression.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Wallace H. Coulter Performance Plaza, 1 West. Cost: Free. Categories: Performances. Kids & Families. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. Assisted listening devices.
Friday, June 12, 2026, 2:00 PM – 2:30 PM.
Highlights Tour
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Look for our friendly volunteer at the Information Desk for a 45 minute tour of the highlights of the museum.
Venue: Postal Museum. Event Location: Starts at the Information Desk in the Historic Lobby. Cost: Free. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. Assisted listening devices.
Friday, June 12, 2026, 2:00 PM – 2:45 PM.
Tours | Arts Across Asia
Gallery Talks & Tours
Enjoy a guided tour of our East Building and its range of exhibitions. These tours can feature art from any of the exhibitions currently on view, with works from cultures as diverse as ancient Iran to contemporary Japan.
Please meet at the East Building, B1 Lobby for the tour. Image: Tibetan Buddhist Shrine Room, National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution, Arthur M. Sackler Collection, The Alice S. Kandell Collection, Photo by John Bigelow Taylor.
Venue: Asian Art Museum. Building: East Building. Event Location: Meet at B1 Lobby. Cost: Free. No registration or tickets (walk-up only). Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Friday, June 12, 2026, 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM.
Tour | The Peacock Room at 150
Gallery Talks & Tours
Learn how a dining room built in London 150 years ago has become one of the most famous artworks in the United States today. This free guided tour closely examines American artist James McNeill Whistler’s famed Peacock Room, inspired by Asian art and decorated with Chinese blue and white porcelain. James McNeill Whistler (American, 1834–1903); Harmony in Blue and Gold: The Peacock Room (detail); United Kingdom, 1876–77; room installation, oil paint and gold leaf on canvas, leather, mosaic tile, glass, and wood; National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution, Freer Collection, Gift of Charles Lang Freer, F1904.61.
Venue: Asian Art Museum. Building: West Building. Event Location: Meet at Information Desk. Cost: Free. No registration or tickets (walk-up only). Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Friday, June 12, 2026, 2:15 PM – 3:15 PM.
Meet the Wheelwoman
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Meet a cyclist pursuing Life, Liberty, and Happiness in the rapidly changing world of the 1890s. The explosive popularity of the safety bicycle at the turn of the century led to more personal mobility and independence for women, empowering them to advocate for change—whether it be less restrictive clothing, improved infrastructure, or even woman suffrage.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: 1 West. Cost: Free. Categories: Demonstrations. Performances. Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: Patrick F. Taylor Foundation Object Project. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Friday, June 12, 2026, 2:30 PM – 3:00 PM.
Hands-On Conservation
Gallery Talks & Tours
Explore conservation for yourself at our pop-up cart! Touch and see the tools and materials we use to preserve art, manuscripts, and other historic objects. Check out fluorescent glue samples, paper and brushes used for scroll mounting, and more. This is your chance to get a peek at what our conservators and scientists are up to behind the scenes. Department of Conservation and Scientific Research, National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution.
Venue: Asian Art Museum. Building: West Building. Event Location: West Building (Mall Entrance). Cost: Free. No registration or tickets (walk-up only). Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. Assisted listening devices.
Friday, June 12, 2026, 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM.
Spotlight Talk: Vishnu's Cosmic Ocean
Gallery Talks & Tours
Catch a twenty-minute gallery talk about the largest bronze ever cast in Southeast Asia in Vishnu’s Cosmic Ocean. At nearly twenty feet, this newly conserved sculpture depicts Vishnu dreaming the universe into existence. Delve into its original context in ancient Angkor and the present-day Cambodian community. Composite image: (top) Vishnu Reclining on the Serpent Ananta (Endless One); Cambodia, Siem Reap province, second half of 11th century; bronze, mercury gilding; National Museum of Cambodia, Phnom Penh; Photograph by Mario Ciampi, ©️ Guicciardini & Magni Architetti / (bottom) Still from the short film Awkun; National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution, Film by praCh Ly.
Venue: Asian Art Museum. Building: East Building. Event Location: Gallery 22c. Cost: Free. No registration or tickets (walk-up only). Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Friday, June 12, 2026, 3:00 PM – 3:20 PM.
Castle Docent Tours
Ongoing Tours
Join us for an outdoor tour of the first two buildings in the Smithsonian Institution, the Smithsonian Castle and the Arts & Industries Building! Meet one of our volunteer docents by the sign on the west side of the Castle on Jefferson Drive, SW, in front of the S. Dillon Ripley Center.
Tours subject to volunteer availability and weather conditions; last-minute cancellations may occur. Inquire at the Castle information desk. No registration is required.
Venue: Smithsonian Castle. Event Location: The tour begins at the sign on the west side of the Castle on Jefferson Drive, SW, in front of the S. Dillon Ripley Center. Cost: Free. No registration or tickets (walk up). Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Friday, June 12, 2026, 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM.
From Seeds to Stories: A Conversation with Christopher DeMairo
Smithsonian Libraries and Archives
From horticultural innovations in flower hybrids to inspiring the war and victory gardens of the 20th century, the Burpee company is a staple of American agriculture, and, even 150 years after its founding, Burpee continues to be the world’s largest home garden and seed company. Christopher DeMairo, author of The Burpee Seed Company: Planting U.S. History since the Nineteenth Century published by Smithsonian Scholarly Press, will discuss the history of the Burpee family enterprise and the 200 boxes of archival business records donated to the Smithsonian that detail this family legacy. After the conversation in Stage 4, attendees can join a garden party-style reception in the Atrium.
Event Location: Studio Theatre, 1501 14th St. N.W. Washington, DC; for directions visit: https://www.studiotheatre.org/visit/directions-and-parking. Cost: Free, but registration is required due to space limitations. Get Tickets/Register: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/28553xp. Categories: Lectures & Discussions. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Friday, June 12, 2026, 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM.
Sing Democracy 250 Signature Concert
Spotlight Programs
4 p.m. ET
Sing Democracy 250 is a stirring musical odyssey commemorating the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, with performances by choirs across the United States in 2026. Through exciting new music, the performance brings people together to reflect on American history and our responsibilities to each other and our country. Sing Democracy 250 believes that music holds the power to transcend divisions, affirm diversity, and inspire hope and harmony for our nation, so that our democracy is not just remembered but renewed for the next 250 years. The power of democracy is in the voice of its people, and every voice matters.
This concert will feature Together In Hope Choir, the Congressional Chorus, the National Children's Chorus - Scholars Washington, D.C. and the Main Line Symphony Orchestra, with a cameo appearance by Denyce Graves.
Accessibility: DAR Constitution Hall offers wheelchair accessible seating and assistive listening services for this event. ASL interpretation and…
Categories: Performances. Cost: $28–40. Get Tickets/Register: https://www.ticketmaster.com/sing-democracy-250-washington-district-of-columbia-06-13-2026/event/1500647A0023C4D8. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. Assisted listening devices. Event Location: Washington, D.C.
Saturday, June 13, 2026.
DAR Constitution Hall
Washington, D.C.
For more info visit www.singdemocracy250.org. Gather: Folklives and Foodways
“By the People” Events
5–8 p.m. ET
How do community traditions inform where we’ve been and where we’re going? How are folklives an expression of our place in the world?
Join Maine Humanities and Chocolate Church Arts Center for a special public event celebrating the stories we tell through music and foodways, and what they say about our connections to the past and our hopes for the future. This evening event will include a community meal, musical performances, dance, and a panel discussion with the featured guests and performers: Samuel James, blues musician , Firefly the Hybrid, Penobscot Nation performer , Jasmine Tintor (Penobscot) co-founder of Katahdin Kitchen , Al-Mashreq Ensemble: Music of the Arab East.
Categories: Lectures & Discussions. Culinary Arts. Performances. Cost: $10 minimum. Get Tickets/Register: https://www.chocolatechurcharts.org/events/gather-folklives-and-foodways-13-jun#tickets. Event Location: Bath, Maine.
Saturday, June 13, 2026.
Chocolate Church Arts Center
Bath, ME.
For more info visit www.mainehumanities.org. Maritime Baltimore
All Programs
Beginning with Capt. John Smith’s expedition in 1608 to the upper Chesapeake Bay (the first by a European), through the British attack on Fort McHenry in 1814, to the 21st-century cruise liners and cargo vessels that dock there, the Port of Baltimore is one of the country’s preeminent maritime centers. Naval historian Abby Mullen leads a day in the harbor exploring three vessels and celebrating Baltimore’s role as a vital port in maritime history.
Event Location: Departs from the Holiday Inn Capitol at 550 C St SW (corner of 6th & C Sts). Cost: View registration price. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/maritime-baltimore?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours.
Saturday, June 13, 2026, 8:30 AM – 5:30 PM.
Castle Docent Tours
Ongoing Tours
Join us for an outdoor tour of the first two buildings in the Smithsonian Institution, the Smithsonian Castle and the Arts & Industries Building! Meet one of our volunteer docents by the sign on the west side of the Castle on Jefferson Drive, SW, in front of the S. Dillon Ripley Center.
Tours subject to volunteer availability and weather conditions; last-minute cancellations may occur. Inquire at the Castle information desk. No registration is required.
Venue: Smithsonian Castle. Event Location: The tour begins at the sign on the west side of the Castle on Jefferson Drive, SW, in front of the S. Dillon Ripley Center. Cost: Free. No registration or tickets (walk up). Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Saturday, June 13, 2026, 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM.
Little Critters: Nature Play at the Bird House (Things That Go)
NZP Kids and Families
HONK! HONK! BEEP! BEEP!
Join us for creative, drop-in play at the Zoo as we explore vehicles that help Zoo workers do their jobs! Little Critters: Nature Play is designed for ages 0-5 and their caregivers and families. Activities are designed with early learners in mind, but all ages are welcome. Parents and guardians must remain with their children.
Location: Bird House Classroom.
Venue: National Zoo. Event Location: Bird House Classroom. Cost: Free drop-in program; no pre-registration required.Parents and guardians must remain with their children. Categories: Kids & Families. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Saturday, June 13, 2026, 9:30 AM – 1:30 PM.
For more info visit nationalzoo.si.edu. FRESHFARM ACM Farm Stand
One-Time Events
The FRESHFARM ACM Farm Stand returns for another farm stand season in 2026. This farm stand is direct-to-consumer located East of the River in Ward 8.
The FRESHFARM ACM Farm Stand takes place on the outdoor plaza of the Smithsonian's Anacostia Community Museum (1901 Fort Place, SE Washington, DC 20020) every Saturday (10 a.m. to 2 p.m.) from April 18 - November 21, 2026.*
You can learn more about what is happening at the farm stand from our friends over at FRESHFARM Markets.
The FRESHFARM ACM Farm Stand is generously supported by The Hillside Foundation - Allan and Shelley Holt.
*Weather permitting. Be sure to follow the Anacostia Community Museum for updated information.
Venue: Anacostia Community Museum. Event Location: Plaza. Cost: Free to Attend. Get Tickets/Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/freshfarm-acm-farm-stand-tickets-1985418954539?aff=oddtdtcreator. Categories: Shopping/Book Signing.
Saturday, June 13, 2026, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM.
Open Studio: Touch the Sun
One time events
Beat the heat every Saturday in June at Open Studio! Each week, we’ll take inspiration from the heat of summer and look at artworks by artists such as Nicolas Party, Spencer Finch, Joan Miró and more.
Join us this Saturday as we draw inspiration from Joan Miró and his painting Woman and Little Girl in Front of the Sun (1946), now on view in Revolutions. Miró worked in an abstract style, with references to nature and biomorphic shapes. Inspired by his practice, we’ll experiment with recycled odds and ends to create our own abstract works of art!
Meet in Art School on the Museum’s Lower Level. ABOUT OPEN STUDIO
Let your creativity run wild at Open Studio! Drop in to explore modern and contemporary art through interactive hands-on activities inspired by the Hirshhorn collection and artworks on view. Open Studio helps you transform your ideas into reality.
Every session introduces a new theme and a fresh perspective on art-making. Activities are designed to captivate everyone—from budding young artists to…
Venue: Hirshhorn Museum. Event Location: Meet in the Art School on the Lower Level. Cost: Free. Categories: Kids & Families. Related Events: Open Studio, Hirshhorn Art School, Art School Everywhere, Art Project: Balance Build.
Saturday, June 13, 2026, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM.
For more info visit hirshhorn.si.edu. Soar Together at Air and Space: The Need for Speed
One-Time Events
Get ready for family-friendly hands-on discovery all about speed!
Soar Together is joining forces with one of our most popular events, Innovations of Flight. Here are the details:
Inside the MuseumNo tickets required for activities inside the Museum.
Explore all things speed through playful activities, exciting demonstrations, musical performances and gallery explorations. Get a chance to chat to museum and aerospace experts. Come get curious, experiment together, and see speed in a whole new way!
American Sign Language interpretation available for several activities.
Outside the Museum - Innovations in Flight
Tickets released Thursday, May 14 at 7 pm. Early access for members.
See unique historic and modern aircraft. Talk with pilots of the planes, on display outside the Museum for one day only. Soar Together at Air and Space is made possible by the generous support of Northrop Grumman.
Venue: Air and Space Museum Udvar-Hazy Center. Event Location: Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, 14390 Air and Space Museum Parkway Chantilly, VA 20151. Cost: Free. Parking: $15. Categories: Kids & Families. Accessibility: ASL-interpreted program. Wheelchair accessible.
Saturday, June 13, 2026, 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM.
For more info visit airandspace.si.edu. Spark!Lab
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Spark!Lab is where museum visitors become inventors. The Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention and Innovation invites children between the ages of 6 and 12 to create, collaborate, explore, test, experiment and invent. Activities for children and families incorporate traditional science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) with art, history and creativity.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Spark!Lab, First Floor, West Wing. Cost: Free; first come, first served. Categories: Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: Places of Invention, Inventive Minds, Landmark Object: Ralph Baer's Workshop, Inventing in America.
Saturday, June 13, 2026, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM.
For more info visit invention.si.edu. Wonderplace
Ongoing Tours & Activities
This learning space designed especially for children ages six and under combines age appropriate activities with museum collections and touchable objects to provide a gateway to history and a place to exercise curiosity for the youngest historians.
Admission to Wonderplace is on a first come, first-served basis. At busy times, we may use FREE, timed tickets to minimize wait time if needed. Tickets are available for 30-minute visits on a first-come, first-served basis. No tickets are required for the first session from 10:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. To visit during a later half-hour session, visitors may pick up a ticket at Wonderplace in 1 West. The last entry using timed tickets is at 3:30 p.m.
Hours are subject to change.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Wonderplace, 1 West. Cost: Free; first come, first served. Categories: Kids & Families. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Saturday, June 13, 2026, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM.
Europe 1900: The Golden Ages of Vienna, Paris, and London
All Programs
The year 1900 found three of Europe’s greatest cities entering defining eras in their historical and cultural development. In a richly illustrated program, cultural historian George Scheper explores how the alignment of creative forces shaped a trio of highly distinctive urban milieus—each nourished by the energy and excitement of new ideas and each witnessing the birth of modernism in the coming century. (World Art History Certificate elective,1 credit).
Event Location: This online program is presented on Zoom. Online Link: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/europe-1900?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Cost: View registration price. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/europe-1900?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Categories: Workshops.
Saturday, June 13, 2026, 10:00 AM – 3:15 PM.
Interactive Programs
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Docents offer interactive programming throughout the museum, in the form of Highlights tours of the museum, gallery spotlight talks, and hands-on cart programs.
Tours of the museum’s highlights generally take place daily at 10:15 AM and 1 PM. Additional tours may be offered on the hour between 11 AM and 3 PM as docents are available. Please check either Welcome Desk for today’s schedule.
Gallery spotlight talks take place throughout the day. Docents offer a 15-minute overview of an exhibition or briefly discuss a favorite museum object. Look for the "Docent on Duty" signs posted outside the exhibition entrances.
Docents stationed at carts help visitors get their hands on history and learn about the museum's collections. Carts are located throughout the museum, and you can check either Welcome Desk for today’s schedule.
Year-Round:
Available most days between 10:30 AM and 3:30 PM.
Notes:
Programs are subject to docent availability; last-minute cancellations may occur.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Multiple floors. Cost: Free. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Assisted listening devices. Wheelchair accessible.
Saturday, June 13, 2026, 10:15 AM – 3:15 PM.
Meet the Wheelwoman
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Meet a cyclist pursuing Life, Liberty, and Happiness in the rapidly changing world of the 1890s. The explosive popularity of the safety bicycle at the turn of the century led to more personal mobility and independence for women, empowering them to advocate for change—whether it be less restrictive clothing, improved infrastructure, or even woman suffrage.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: 1 West. Cost: Free. Categories: Demonstrations. Performances. Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: Patrick F. Taylor Foundation Object Project. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Saturday, June 13, 2026, 11:00 AM – 11:30 AM.
Castle Docent Tours
Ongoing Tours
Join us for an outdoor tour of the first two buildings in the Smithsonian Institution, the Smithsonian Castle and the Arts & Industries Building! Meet one of our volunteer docents by the sign on the west side of the Castle on Jefferson Drive, SW, in front of the S. Dillon Ripley Center.
Tours subject to volunteer availability and weather conditions; last-minute cancellations may occur. Inquire at the Castle information desk. No registration is required.
Venue: Smithsonian Castle. Event Location: The tour begins at the sign on the west side of the Castle on Jefferson Drive, SW, in front of the S. Dillon Ripley Center. Cost: Free. No registration or tickets (walk up). Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Saturday, June 13, 2026, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM.
NY | Story Time
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Families are invited to an interactive story time on the second Saturday of each month* featuring a children’s book by a Native author, illustrator, or created in collaboration with an Indigenous community. They will have the opportunity to engage with objects from the museum's teaching collection, such as photographs, textiles, or natural materials, which can deepen their understanding of the community represented in the story, along with a craft or other activity. All are welcome.
*Recommended for visitors ages 3–9 years old accompanied by an adult caregiver. **Schedule subject to change.
Venue: American Indian Museum NY. Event Location: Level 1: imagiNATIONS Activity Center Classroom. Cost: Free. Categories: Kids & Families.
Saturday, June 13, 2026, 11:15 AM – 11:45 AM.
Converse with a Conservator Gallery Talk: Caring for a Butter Sculpture
Ongoing Tours & Activities
SOLD OUT
How does SAAM care for art made of butter? Objects Conservator Leah Bright shares how temperature control, material science, and preventive care support Curious Regard, a life-size butter cow sculpture created onsite for the special exhibition State Fairs: Growing American Craft at SAAM’s Renwick Gallery.
Venue: Renwick Gallery. Event Location: Meet in the Lobby. Cost: SOLD OUT. Get Tickets/Register: https://events.blackthorn.io/5f4ZMUx7/5a2bVR3OUZV. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Related Exhibition: State Fairs: Growing American Craft.
Saturday, June 13, 2026, 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM.
Broad Stripes and Bright Stars
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Meet Mary Pickersgill, seamstress of the enormous garrison flag that inspired the lyrics to America’s national anthem and later became known as the Star-Spangled Banner. What was it like to live in a nation defending its sovereignty? Learn about the War of 1812, considered America’s Second War of Independence, and about ways that widows like Mary expressed patriotism and resourcefulness through acquired skills and family connections.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Flag Hall, 2 Center. Cost: Free. Categories: Performances. Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: The Star-Spangled Banner. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Saturday, June 13, 2026, 11:30 AM – 12:00 PM.
Music from the Hearts of America - Brian Gaffney with Brendan’s Voyage
One-Time Events
The music of Brendan’s Voyage is rooted in the “people’s history”—songs born in cottages, carried across the Atlantic, and kept alive in the social halls and pubs of American cities. Brian Gaffney uses storytelling to bridge the gap between ancient melodies and the modern Irish American experience. Come hear songs that tell the story of Irish history, exploring the immigrant journey, the hardship and resilience that came with fighting the Great Famine and the struggle for independence. Songs may include: “Rosie’s,” “Girl in My Dreams,” and “Song from Home.”.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Wallace H. Coulter Performance Plaza, 1 West. Cost: Free. Categories: Performances. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Saturday, June 13, 2026, 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM.
Signed-Sealed-Delivered: Postcard & Stamp Workshop
One-Time Events
Postcards and postage stamps preserve history in miniature. Design your own postcards and stamps in this hands-on workshop where art meets history. Inspired by our latest exhibition, We Make History, participants of all ages will explore how mail carries history and connects communities. Participants will have the opportunity to engage with photographer and author of District Postcard Views, Shedrick Pelt. Pelt’s photo of Gregory “Sugar Bear” Elliot of the Go-Go band Experience Unlimited (EU) is featured in the exhibition. All materials are provided.
This program is in collaboration with the National Postal Museum.
Venue: Anacostia Community Museum. Event Location: Program Room. Cost: Free. Get Tickets/Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/signed-sealed-delivered-postcard-stamp-workshop-tickets-1984635643635?aff=oddtdtcreator. Categories: Kids & Families. Workshops.
Saturday, June 13, 2026, 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM.
Tours | Arts of China
Gallery Talks & Tours
Examine the diverse artistic and cultural traditions of one of the world’s oldest civilizations in this in-person, docent-led tour. Learn about Chinese artworks such as ritual bronze vessels, calligraphy, brush paintings in ink and color, and exquisite ceramics.
Please meet at the West Building Information Desk for the tour. Dish with foliate flaring rim; Ming dynasty, Xuande reign, 1426–35; Jingdezhen ware; porcelain with cobalt pigment under colorless glaze; H x Diam: 4.8 × 21.3 cm; National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution, Freer Collection, Purchase—Charles Lang Freer Endowment, F1951.13a-b.
Venue: Asian Art Museum. Building: West Building. Event Location: Meet at Information Desk. Cost: Free. No registration or tickets (walk-up only). Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Saturday, June 13, 2026, 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM.
Meet the Wheelwoman
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Meet a cyclist pursuing Life, Liberty, and Happiness in the rapidly changing world of the 1890s. The explosive popularity of the safety bicycle at the turn of the century led to more personal mobility and independence for women, empowering them to advocate for change—whether it be less restrictive clothing, improved infrastructure, or even woman suffrage.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: 1 West. Cost: Free. Categories: Demonstrations. Performances. Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: Patrick F. Taylor Foundation Object Project. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Saturday, June 13, 2026, 1:00 PM – 1:30 PM.
Permanent Collection Tour
Gallery Talks & Tours
The National Museum of Asian Art has over 46,000 artworks from across Asia. Enjoy some of the finest on a docent-led tour and learn about commonalities and differences in cultures, aesthetics, and ideas.
Venue: Asian Art Museum. Building: West Building. Event Location: Meet at Information Desk. Cost: Free. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Saturday, June 13, 2026, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM.
For more info visit asia.si.edu. Art Studio
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Calling all artists! Join the Portrait Gallery for a free, drop-in art program, where creativity knows no bounds. Every weekend, visitors of all ages are invited to explore a different artistic medium while drawing inspiration from the Portrait Gallery’s collections and exhibitions. On select weekends, learn from a featured guest artist, who will lead specialized workshops and share their expertise. To stay informed about upcoming guest artist workshops, please check the Portrait Gallery’s Eventbrite page.
Venue: Portrait Gallery. Event Location: Education Center, E151. Cost: Free. No Registration Required. Get Tickets/Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/in-gallery-art-studio-tickets-1112707681629?aff=oddtdtcreator&utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-share-source=organizer-profile&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=organizer-profile. Categories: Kids & Families. Workshops.
Saturday, June 13, 2026, 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM.
For more info visit www.eventbrite.com. Castle Docent Tours
Ongoing Tours
Join us for an outdoor tour of the first two buildings in the Smithsonian Institution, the Smithsonian Castle and the Arts & Industries Building! Meet one of our volunteer docents by the sign on the west side of the Castle on Jefferson Drive, SW, in front of the S. Dillon Ripley Center.
Tours subject to volunteer availability and weather conditions; last-minute cancellations may occur. Inquire at the Castle information desk. No registration is required.
Venue: Smithsonian Castle. Event Location: The tour begins at the sign on the west side of the Castle on Jefferson Drive, SW, in front of the S. Dillon Ripley Center. Cost: Free. No registration or tickets (walk up). Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Saturday, June 13, 2026, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM.
Broad Stripes and Bright Stars
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Meet Mary Pickersgill, seamstress of the enormous garrison flag that inspired the lyrics to America’s national anthem and later became known as the Star-Spangled Banner. What was it like to live in a nation defending its sovereignty? Learn about the War of 1812, considered America’s Second War of Independence, and about ways that widows like Mary expressed patriotism and resourcefulness through acquired skills and family connections.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Flag Hall, 2 Center. Cost: Free. Categories: Performances. Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: The Star-Spangled Banner. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Saturday, June 13, 2026, 1:30 PM – 2:00 PM.
Music from the Hearts of America - Brian Gaffney with Brendan’s Voyage
One-Time Events
The music of Brendan’s Voyage is rooted in the “people’s history”—songs born in cottages, carried across the Atlantic, and kept alive in the social halls and pubs of American cities. Brian Gaffney uses storytelling to bridge the gap between ancient melodies and the modern Irish American experience. Come hear songs that tell the story of Irish history, exploring the immigrant journey, the hardship and resilience that came with fighting the Great Famine and the struggle for independence. Songs may include: “Rosie’s,” “Girl in My Dreams,” and “Song from Home.”.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Wallace H. Coulter Performance Plaza, 1 West. Cost: Free. Categories: Performances. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Saturday, June 13, 2026, 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM.
Film Screening & Artist Talk: Man Follows Birds
Films
To celebrate the opening of her exhibition Melted into the Sun, Saodat Ismailova introduces and discusses a classic work of Central Asian cinema, Ali Khamraev's Man Follows Birds. During the Soviet Era, filmmakers balanced the need to promote Soviet ideology with the desire to tell stories unique to their cultures. Khamraev's visual poetry resonates with the work of his contemporaries such as Andrei Tarkovsky and Sergei Parajanov.
In Man Follows Birds, an outcast boy leaves his village to travel with his friend, seeking truth and beauty in nature despite the cruelty and violence of adults. Of the film, Ismailova says, “This coming-of-age story is set in a timeless situation. The script was written by Timur Zulfikarov, a major Tajik author and one of the first to develop a distinctive voice that deviated from Soviet ideology, but wasn’t censored. The music, visual language and actors also make this a great film."
Description adapted from Eye Filmmuseum.
Director: Ali Khamraev. Country: USSR. Released: 1975.…
Venue: Asian Art Museum. Building: West Building. Event Location: Meyer Auditorium. Cost: Free. Register in advance (recommended). Get Tickets/Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/screening-and-artist-talk-man-follows-birds-tickets-1989667539170?aff=oddtdtcreator. Categories: Films. Lectures & Discussions. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. Assisted listening devices. Captioning.
Saturday, June 13, 2026, 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM.
Tours | Arts Across Asia
Gallery Talks & Tours
Enjoy a guided tour of our East Building and its range of exhibitions. These tours can feature art from any of the exhibitions currently on view, with works from cultures as diverse as ancient Iran to contemporary Japan.
Please meet at the East Building, B1 Lobby for the tour. Image: Tibetan Buddhist Shrine Room, National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution, Arthur M. Sackler Collection, The Alice S. Kandell Collection, Photo by John Bigelow Taylor.
Venue: Asian Art Museum. Building: East Building. Event Location: Meet at B1 Lobby. Cost: Free. No registration or tickets (walk-up only). Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Saturday, June 13, 2026, 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM.
Tour | The Peacock Room at 150
Gallery Talks & Tours
Learn how a dining room built in London 150 years ago has become one of the most famous artworks in the United States today. This free guided tour closely examines American artist James McNeill Whistler’s famed Peacock Room, inspired by Asian art and decorated with Chinese blue and white porcelain. James McNeill Whistler (American, 1834–1903); Harmony in Blue and Gold: The Peacock Room (detail); United Kingdom, 1876–77; room installation, oil paint and gold leaf on canvas, leather, mosaic tile, glass, and wood; National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution, Freer Collection, Gift of Charles Lang Freer, F1904.61.
Venue: Asian Art Museum. Building: West Building. Event Location: Meet at Information Desk. Cost: Free. No registration or tickets (walk-up only). Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Saturday, June 13, 2026, 2:15 PM – 3:15 PM.
NY | Story Time
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Families are invited to an interactive story time on the second Saturday of each month* featuring a children’s book by a Native author, illustrator, or created in collaboration with an Indigenous community. They will have the opportunity to engage with objects from the museum's Teaching Collection such as photographs, textiles, or natural materials that can deepen their understanding of the community represented in the story, along with a craft or other activity. All are welcome. Recommended for visitors ages 3-9 years old accompanied by an adult caregiver. *Schedule subject to change.
Image: Photo by Matailong Du for the National Museum of the American Indian.
Venue: American Indian Museum NY. Event Location: Level 1: imagiNATIONS Activity Center Classroom. Cost: Free. Categories: Kids & Families.
Saturday, June 13, 2026, 2:15 PM – 2:45 PM.
Teen Studio: Pizza Party!
One time events
Teens: Ready to level up your art? Join us for Teen Studio, a free art-making program exclusively for teens ages 13–19. Push your artistic boundaries using materials and techniques inspired by artists whose work is now on view at the Hirshhorn.
Celebrate the last Teen Studio of the school year with friends, music, and art! DIY your own buttons, build with Legos, make friendship bracelets, and capture memories in a Polaroid photo booth. Plus, enjoy free pizza and snacks!
Drop in to Teen Studio Saturday between 2:30 and 4 PM. Meet in Art School on the Museum’s Lower Level. Teen Studio will be back for the 2026–2027 school year in October.
Looking for more? Explore Art School Everywhere, wherever you are, to learn about artists in the Hirshhorn collection and get creative any time. Do this at home! Hirshhorn Teens on OSGEMEOS and Hand Lettering, , ABOUT TEEN STUDIO
Teens ages 13–19 are invited to hang out and get creative at the Hirshhorn’s Teen Studio, a free series of art-making workshops offered from…
Venue: Hirshhorn Museum. Event Location: Art School on the Lower Level. Cost: Free. Categories: Kids & Families. Related Events: Teen Studio, Hirshhorn Art School, Art School Everywhere, Hirshhorn Teens on OSGEMEOS and Hand Lettering.
Saturday, June 13, 2026, 2:30 PM – 4:00 PM.
For more info visit hirshhorn.si.edu. Broad Stripes and Bright Stars
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Meet Mary Pickersgill, seamstress of the enormous garrison flag that inspired the lyrics to America’s national anthem and later became known as the Star-Spangled Banner. What was it like to live in a nation defending its sovereignty? Learn about the War of 1812, considered America’s Second War of Independence, and about ways that widows like Mary expressed patriotism and resourcefulness through acquired skills and family connections.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Flag Hall, 2 Center. Cost: Free. Categories: Performances. Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: The Star-Spangled Banner. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Saturday, June 13, 2026, 2:30 PM – 3:00 PM.
Meet the Wheelwoman
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Meet a cyclist pursuing Life, Liberty, and Happiness in the rapidly changing world of the 1890s. The explosive popularity of the safety bicycle at the turn of the century led to more personal mobility and independence for women, empowering them to advocate for change—whether it be less restrictive clothing, improved infrastructure, or even woman suffrage.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: 1 West. Cost: Free. Categories: Demonstrations. Performances. Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: Patrick F. Taylor Foundation Object Project. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Saturday, June 13, 2026, 3:00 PM – 3:30 PM.
Spotlight Talk: Vishnu's Cosmic Ocean
Gallery Talks & Tours
Catch a twenty-minute gallery talk about the largest bronze ever cast in Southeast Asia in Vishnu’s Cosmic Ocean. At nearly twenty feet, this newly conserved sculpture depicts Vishnu dreaming the universe into existence. Delve into its original context in ancient Angkor and the present-day Cambodian community. Composite image: (top) Vishnu Reclining on the Serpent Ananta (Endless One); Cambodia, Siem Reap province, second half of 11th century; bronze, mercury gilding; National Museum of Cambodia, Phnom Penh; Photograph by Mario Ciampi, ©️ Guicciardini & Magni Architetti / (bottom) Still from the short film Awkun; National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution, Film by praCh Ly.
Venue: Asian Art Museum. Building: East Building. Event Location: Gallery 22c. Cost: Free. No registration or tickets (walk-up only). Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Saturday, June 13, 2026, 3:00 PM – 3:20 PM.
Castle Docent Tours
Ongoing Tours
Join us for an outdoor tour of the first two buildings in the Smithsonian Institution, the Smithsonian Castle and the Arts & Industries Building! Meet one of our volunteer docents by the sign on the west side of the Castle on Jefferson Drive, SW, in front of the S. Dillon Ripley Center.
Tours subject to volunteer availability and weather conditions; last-minute cancellations may occur. Inquire at the Castle information desk. No registration is required.
Venue: Smithsonian Castle. Event Location: The tour begins at the sign on the west side of the Castle on Jefferson Drive, SW, in front of the S. Dillon Ripley Center. Cost: Free. No registration or tickets (walk up). Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Saturday, June 13, 2026, 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM.
Sing Democracy 250 Signature Concert
Additional Programs
Sing Democracy 250 is a stirring musical odyssey commemorating the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, with performances by choirs across the United States in 2026. Through exciting new music, the performance brings people together to reflect on American history and our responsibilities to each other and our country. Sing Democracy 250 believes that music holds the power to transcend divisions, affirm diversity, and inspire hope and harmony for our nation, so that our democracy is not just remembered but renewed for the next 250 years. The power of democracy is in the voice of its people, and every voice matters.
This concert will feature Together In Hope Choir, the Congressional Chorus, the National Children's Chorus - Scholars Washington, D.C. and the Main Line Symphony Orchestra, with a cameo appearance by Denyce Graves.
Tickets are available for purchase.
Accessibility: DAR Constitution Hall offers wheelchair accessible seating and assistive listening services for this event. ASL…
Stage: DAR Constitution Hall. Folklife Categories: Performance. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. Large print. Assisted listening devices. ASL-interpreted program.
Saturday, June 13, 2026, 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM.
For more info visit www.singdemocracy250.org. Castle Docent Tours
Ongoing Tours
Join us for an outdoor tour of the first two buildings in the Smithsonian Institution, the Smithsonian Castle and the Arts & Industries Building! Meet one of our volunteer docents by the sign on the west side of the Castle on Jefferson Drive, SW, in front of the S. Dillon Ripley Center.
Tours subject to volunteer availability and weather conditions; last-minute cancellations may occur. Inquire at the Castle information desk. No registration is required.
Venue: Smithsonian Castle. Event Location: The tour begins at the sign on the west side of the Castle on Jefferson Drive, SW, in front of the S. Dillon Ripley Center. Cost: Free. No registration or tickets (walk up). Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Sunday, June 14, 2026, 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM.
Spark!Lab
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Spark!Lab is where museum visitors become inventors. The Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention and Innovation invites children between the ages of 6 and 12 to create, collaborate, explore, test, experiment and invent. Activities for children and families incorporate traditional science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) with art, history and creativity.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Spark!Lab, First Floor, West Wing. Cost: Free; first come, first served. Categories: Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: Places of Invention, Inventive Minds, Landmark Object: Ralph Baer's Workshop, Inventing in America.
Sunday, June 14, 2026, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM.
For more info visit invention.si.edu. Wonderplace
Ongoing Tours & Activities
This learning space designed especially for children ages six and under combines age appropriate activities with museum collections and touchable objects to provide a gateway to history and a place to exercise curiosity for the youngest historians.
Admission to Wonderplace is on a first come, first-served basis. At busy times, we may use FREE, timed tickets to minimize wait time if needed. Tickets are available for 30-minute visits on a first-come, first-served basis. No tickets are required for the first session from 10:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. To visit during a later half-hour session, visitors may pick up a ticket at Wonderplace in 1 West. The last entry using timed tickets is at 3:30 p.m.
Hours are subject to change.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Wonderplace, 1 West. Cost: Free; first come, first served. Categories: Kids & Families. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Sunday, June 14, 2026, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM.
Interactive Programs
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Docents offer interactive programming throughout the museum, in the form of Highlights tours of the museum, gallery spotlight talks, and hands-on cart programs.
Tours of the museum’s highlights generally take place daily at 10:15 AM and 1 PM. Additional tours may be offered on the hour between 11 AM and 3 PM as docents are available. Please check either Welcome Desk for today’s schedule.
Gallery spotlight talks take place throughout the day. Docents offer a 15-minute overview of an exhibition or briefly discuss a favorite museum object. Look for the "Docent on Duty" signs posted outside the exhibition entrances.
Docents stationed at carts help visitors get their hands on history and learn about the museum's collections. Carts are located throughout the museum, and you can check either Welcome Desk for today’s schedule.
Year-Round:
Available most days between 10:30 AM and 3:30 PM.
Notes:
Programs are subject to docent availability; last-minute cancellations may occur.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Multiple floors. Cost: Free. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Assisted listening devices. Wheelchair accessible.
Sunday, June 14, 2026, 10:15 AM – 3:15 PM.
Ocean Topics Cart Chat
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Looking for a deeper dive into ocean topics? Come and find one of our Ocean Educators to explore some of the latest discoveries in marine science, stationed at an interactive cart in the Sant Ocean Hall.
Image Credit: Phillip R. Lee, Smithsonian Institution.
Venue: Natural History Museum. Event Location: 1st Floor, The Sant Ocean Hall. Cost: Free and open to the public. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Related Exhibition: The Sant Ocean Hall. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Sunday, June 14, 2026, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM.
SHOUT
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Join our ensemble of performers as they sing, dance, and teach through storytelling. Learn about the ring shout—a powerful practice blending song and rhythmic movement created by enslaved communities in the 1700s and 1800s. They combined various religious practices of Europe and Africa, creating a cultural tradition that became iconically American. Connect their syncopated musical rhythms from the past to the present and learn how music can be a form of joyful resistance in times of oppression.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Wallace H. Coulter Performance Plaza, 1 West. Cost: Free. Categories: Performances. Kids & Families. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. Assisted listening devices.
Sunday, June 14, 2026, 11:00 AM – 11:30 AM.
Castle Docent Tours
Ongoing Tours
Join us for an outdoor tour of the first two buildings in the Smithsonian Institution, the Smithsonian Castle and the Arts & Industries Building! Meet one of our volunteer docents by the sign on the west side of the Castle on Jefferson Drive, SW, in front of the S. Dillon Ripley Center.
Tours subject to volunteer availability and weather conditions; last-minute cancellations may occur. Inquire at the Castle information desk. No registration is required.
Venue: Smithsonian Castle. Event Location: The tour begins at the sign on the west side of the Castle on Jefferson Drive, SW, in front of the S. Dillon Ripley Center. Cost: Free. No registration or tickets (walk up). Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Sunday, June 14, 2026, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM.
Highlights Tour
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Look for our friendly volunteer at the Information Desk for a 45-minute tour of the highlights of the museum.
Venue: Postal Museum. Event Location: Starts at the Information Desk in the Historic Lobby. Cost: Free. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Assisted listening devices. Wheelchair accessible.
Sunday, June 14, 2026, 11:30 AM – 12:15 PM.
Tours | Arts of Japan
Gallery Talks & Tours
As the seasons change, enjoy a free, hour-long guided tour of the museum’s renowned collection of Japanese art. Experience a variety of artworks, including paintings, prints, screens, ceramics, metalwork, and more. Trees, Master of I-nen Seal (1600–1630), Japan, mid-17th century, ink, color, and gold on paper, National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution, Freer Collection, Purchase—Charles Lang Freer Endowment, F1962.30.
Venue: Asian Art Museum. Building: West Building. Event Location: Meet at Information Desk. Cost: Free. No registration or tickets (walk-up only). Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Related Exhibition: Japanese Art from the Collection , Knotted Clay: Raku Ceramics and Tea , The Print Generation , The Peacock Room , Striking Objects: Contemporary Japanese Metalwork. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Sunday, June 14, 2026, 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM.
SHOUT
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Join our ensemble of performers as they sing, dance, and teach through storytelling. Learn about the ring shout—a powerful practice blending song and rhythmic movement created by enslaved communities in the 1700s and 1800s. They combined various religious practices of Europe and Africa, creating a cultural tradition that became iconically American. Connect their syncopated musical rhythms from the past to the present and learn how music can be a form of joyful resistance in times of oppression.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Wallace H. Coulter Performance Plaza, 1 West. Cost: Free. Categories: Performances. Kids & Families. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. Assisted listening devices.
Sunday, June 14, 2026, 1:00 PM – 1:30 PM.
Permanent Collection Tour
Gallery Talks & Tours
The National Museum of Asian Art has over 46,000 artworks from across Asia. Enjoy some of the finest on a docent-led tour and learn about commonalities and differences in cultures, aesthetics, and ideas.
Venue: Asian Art Museum. Building: West Building. Event Location: Meet at Information Desk. Cost: Free. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Sunday, June 14, 2026, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM.
For more info visit asia.si.edu. Art Studio
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Calling all artists! Join the Portrait Gallery for a free, drop-in art program, where creativity knows no bounds. Every weekend, visitors of all ages are invited to explore a different artistic medium while drawing inspiration from the Portrait Gallery’s collections and exhibitions. On select weekends, learn from a featured guest artist, who will lead specialized workshops and share their expertise. To stay informed about upcoming guest artist workshops, please check the Portrait Gallery’s Eventbrite page.
Venue: Portrait Gallery. Event Location: Education Center, E151. Cost: Free. No Registration Required. Get Tickets/Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/in-gallery-art-studio-tickets-1112707681629?aff=oddtdtcreator&utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-share-source=organizer-profile&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=organizer-profile. Categories: Kids & Families. Workshops.
Sunday, June 14, 2026, 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM.
For more info visit www.eventbrite.com. Castle Docent Tours
Ongoing Tours
Join us for an outdoor tour of the first two buildings in the Smithsonian Institution, the Smithsonian Castle and the Arts & Industries Building! Meet one of our volunteer docents by the sign on the west side of the Castle on Jefferson Drive, SW, in front of the S. Dillon Ripley Center.
Tours subject to volunteer availability and weather conditions; last-minute cancellations may occur. Inquire at the Castle information desk. No registration is required.
Venue: Smithsonian Castle. Event Location: The tour begins at the sign on the west side of the Castle on Jefferson Drive, SW, in front of the S. Dillon Ripley Center. Cost: Free. No registration or tickets (walk up). Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Sunday, June 14, 2026, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM.
Curator Tours
One-Time Events
Join the National Portrait Gallery for gallery talks and tours with our wonderful curators! Experience current and newly opened exhibitions and learn more about works from our permanent collection. These Sunday afternoon tours will focus on “The Outwin 2025: American Portraiture Today.”.
Venue: Portrait Gallery. Event Location: G Street Lobby. Cost: Free. Registration Required. Get Tickets/Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/curator-tours-tickets-1984500920675?aff=ebdsshcopyurl&utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=organizer-profile&utm-share-source=organizer-profile. Categories: Films.
Sunday, June 14, 2026, 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM.
For more info visit www.eventbrite.com. The Handmaiden
Films
Watch the Trailer
In this erotic thriller, filmmaker Park Chan-wook transposes Sarah Waters’s acclaimed novel Fingersmith from Victorian England to 1930s Japanese-occupied Korea. A conman calling himself Count Fujiwara (Ha Jung-woo) aims to seduce and marry wealthy heiress Lady Hideko (Kim Min-hee). To further his cause, he enlists pickpocket Sook-hee (Kim Tae-ri) to insinuate herself as Lady Hideko’s servant. But his plans are thrown into disarray when the women fall in love with each other and hatch their own scheme. Moving back and forth in time, The Handmaiden is full of twists, turns, alliances, and betrayals that keep you guessing to the very end. “Exquisitely designed and sexually liberating, this is a hugely entertaining thriller” (Benjamin Lee, The Guardian).
Intended for mature audiences.
Director: Park Chan-wook. Country: Korea. Released: 2016. Length: 144 min. Format: DCP. Language: Korean and Japanese with English subtitles. Image courtesy of Amazon Studios.
Venue: Asian Art Museum. Building: West Building. Event Location: Meyer Auditorium. Cost: Free. Register in advance (recommended). Get Tickets/Register: https://pcw.eventive.org/films. Categories: Films. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. Assisted listening devices. Captioning.
Sunday, June 14, 2026, 2:00 PM – 4:30 PM.
SHOUT
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Join our ensemble of performers as they sing, dance, and teach through storytelling. Learn about the ring shout—a powerful practice blending song and rhythmic movement created by enslaved communities in the 1700s and 1800s. They combined various religious practices of Europe and Africa, creating a cultural tradition that became iconically American. Connect their syncopated musical rhythms from the past to the present and learn how music can be a form of joyful resistance in times of oppression.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Wallace H. Coulter Performance Plaza, 1 West. Cost: Free. Categories: Performances. Kids & Families. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. Assisted listening devices.
Sunday, June 14, 2026, 2:00 PM – 2:30 PM.
Tours | Arts Across Asia
Gallery Talks & Tours
Enjoy a guided tour of our East Building and its range of exhibitions. These tours can feature art from any of the exhibitions currently on view, with works from cultures as diverse as ancient Iran to contemporary Japan.
Please meet at the East Building, B1 Lobby for the tour. Image: Tibetan Buddhist Shrine Room, National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution, Arthur M. Sackler Collection, The Alice S. Kandell Collection, Photo by John Bigelow Taylor.
Venue: Asian Art Museum. Building: East Building. Event Location: Meet at B1 Lobby. Cost: Free. No registration or tickets (walk-up only). Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Sunday, June 14, 2026, 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM.
Tour | The Peacock Room at 150
Gallery Talks & Tours
Learn how a dining room built in London 150 years ago has become one of the most famous artworks in the United States today. This free guided tour closely examines American artist James McNeill Whistler’s famed Peacock Room, inspired by Asian art and decorated with Chinese blue and white porcelain. James McNeill Whistler (American, 1834–1903); Harmony in Blue and Gold: The Peacock Room (detail); United Kingdom, 1876–77; room installation, oil paint and gold leaf on canvas, leather, mosaic tile, glass, and wood; National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution, Freer Collection, Gift of Charles Lang Freer, F1904.61.
Venue: Asian Art Museum. Building: West Building. Event Location: Meet at Information Desk. Cost: Free. No registration or tickets (walk-up only). Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Sunday, June 14, 2026, 2:15 PM – 3:15 PM.
Spotlight Talk: Vishnu's Cosmic Ocean
Gallery Talks & Tours
Catch a twenty-minute gallery talk about the largest bronze ever cast in Southeast Asia in Vishnu’s Cosmic Ocean. At nearly twenty feet, this newly conserved sculpture depicts Vishnu dreaming the universe into existence. Delve into its original context in ancient Angkor and the present-day Cambodian community. Composite image: (top) Vishnu Reclining on the Serpent Ananta (Endless One); Cambodia, Siem Reap province, second half of 11th century; bronze, mercury gilding; National Museum of Cambodia, Phnom Penh; Photograph by Mario Ciampi, ©️ Guicciardini & Magni Architetti / (bottom) Still from the short film Awkun; National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution, Film by praCh Ly.
Venue: Asian Art Museum. Building: East Building. Event Location: Gallery 22c. Cost: Free. No registration or tickets (walk-up only). Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Sunday, June 14, 2026, 3:00 PM – 3:20 PM.
Castle Docent Tours
Ongoing Tours
Join us for an outdoor tour of the first two buildings in the Smithsonian Institution, the Smithsonian Castle and the Arts & Industries Building! Meet one of our volunteer docents by the sign on the west side of the Castle on Jefferson Drive, SW, in front of the S. Dillon Ripley Center.
Tours subject to volunteer availability and weather conditions; last-minute cancellations may occur. Inquire at the Castle information desk. No registration is required.
Venue: Smithsonian Castle. Event Location: The tour begins at the sign on the west side of the Castle on Jefferson Drive, SW, in front of the S. Dillon Ripley Center. Cost: Free. No registration or tickets (walk up). Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Sunday, June 14, 2026, 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM.
Castle Docent Tours
Ongoing Tours
Join us for an outdoor tour of the first two buildings in the Smithsonian Institution, the Smithsonian Castle and the Arts & Industries Building! Meet one of our volunteer docents by the sign on the west side of the Castle on Jefferson Drive, SW, in front of the S. Dillon Ripley Center.
Tours subject to volunteer availability and weather conditions; last-minute cancellations may occur. Inquire at the Castle information desk. No registration is required.
Venue: Smithsonian Castle. Event Location: The tour begins at the sign on the west side of the Castle on Jefferson Drive, SW, in front of the S. Dillon Ripley Center. Cost: Free. No registration or tickets (walk up). Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Monday, June 15, 2026, 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM.
Interactive Programs
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Docents offer interactive programming throughout the museum, in the form of Highlights tours of the museum, gallery spotlight talks, and hands-on cart programs.
Tours of the museum’s highlights generally take place daily at 10:15 AM and 1 PM. Additional tours may be offered on the hour between 11 AM and 3 PM as docents are available. Please check either Welcome Desk for today’s schedule.
Gallery spotlight talks take place throughout the day. Docents offer a 15-minute overview of an exhibition or briefly discuss a favorite museum object. Look for the "Docent on Duty" signs posted outside the exhibition entrances.
Docents stationed at carts help visitors get their hands on history and learn about the museum's collections. Carts are located throughout the museum, and you can check either Welcome Desk for today’s schedule.
Year-Round:
Available most days between 10:30 AM and 3:30 PM.
Notes:
Programs are subject to docent availability; last-minute cancellations may occur.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Multiple floors. Cost: Free. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Assisted listening devices. Wheelchair accessible.
Monday, June 15, 2026, 10:15 AM – 3:15 PM.
American Bison Cart Chat
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Join educators in the "Bison: Standing Strong" exhibit to discover more about the Nation's Mammal - the American Bison. Learn how these fascinating animals alter their ecosystem in ways that benefit other animals and their habitat, as well as their importance to humans.
Image by Jean Beaufort, CC0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=83971372 .
Venue: Natural History Museum. Event Location: 2nd Floor, Bison: Standing Strong exhibit. Cost: Free and open to the public. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Monday, June 15, 2026, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM.
Virtual Story Time
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Join educators from the National Postal Museum for live, interactive story time. Designed for children ages 4-7, but all are welcome!
Mondays at 11:00 (ET) National Postal Museum educators will read stories aloud and lead related activities in a Zoom meeting for children and their caregivers. Explore a range of postal-related topics and more! Sessions will be interactive and last approximately 45-60 minutes. Caregivers are expected to be present with children for the duration of the program.
Event Location: Online Only. Online Link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/story-time-with-the-national-postal-museum-registration-141338917507. Cost: Free. Get Tickets/Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/story-time-with-the-national-postal-museum-registration-141338917507. Categories: Kids & Families. Webcasts & Online.
Monday, June 15, 2026, 11:00 AM – 11:45 AM.
Castle Docent Tours
Ongoing Tours
Join us for an outdoor tour of the first two buildings in the Smithsonian Institution, the Smithsonian Castle and the Arts & Industries Building! Meet one of our volunteer docents by the sign on the west side of the Castle on Jefferson Drive, SW, in front of the S. Dillon Ripley Center.
Tours subject to volunteer availability and weather conditions; last-minute cancellations may occur. Inquire at the Castle information desk. No registration is required.
Venue: Smithsonian Castle. Event Location: The tour begins at the sign on the west side of the Castle on Jefferson Drive, SW, in front of the S. Dillon Ripley Center. Cost: Free. No registration or tickets (walk up). Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Monday, June 15, 2026, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM.
Broad Stripes and Bright Stars
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Meet Mary Pickersgill, seamstress of the enormous garrison flag that inspired the lyrics to America’s national anthem and later became known as the Star-Spangled Banner. What was it like to live in a nation defending its sovereignty? Learn about the War of 1812, considered America’s Second War of Independence, and about ways that widows like Mary expressed patriotism and resourcefulness through acquired skills and family connections.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Flag Hall, 2 Center. Cost: Free. Categories: Performances. Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: The Star-Spangled Banner. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Monday, June 15, 2026, 11:30 AM – 12:00 PM.
Highlights Tour
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Look for our friendly volunteer at the Information Desk for a 45 minute tour of the highlights of the museum.
Venue: Postal Museum. Event Location: Starts at the Information Desk in the Historic Lobby. Cost: Free. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Assisted listening devices. Wheelchair accessible.
Monday, June 15, 2026, 11:30 AM – 12:15 PM.
Portrait Gallery Kids
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Children and families are invited to learn, play and create at the Portrait Gallery! Join educators every Monday as we explore a variety of topics and artistic materials. Participants will get a closer look at art with hands-on activities, music and story times. Portrait Gallery Kids is a fun way to engage with art and each other.
Venue: Portrait Gallery. Event Location: Education Center, E151. Cost: Free. No Registration Required. Get Tickets/Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/in-gallery-portrait-gallery-kids-tickets-654254040447?aff=oddtdtcreator&utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-share-source=organizer-profile&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=organizer-profile. Categories: Kids & Families. Workshops.
Monday, June 15, 2026, 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM.
For more info visit www.eventbrite.com. Meet the Wheelwoman
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Meet a cyclist pursuing Life, Liberty, and Happiness in the rapidly changing world of the 1890s. The explosive popularity of the safety bicycle at the turn of the century led to more personal mobility and independence for women, empowering them to advocate for change—whether it be less restrictive clothing, improved infrastructure, or even woman suffrage.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: 1 West. Cost: Free. Categories: Demonstrations. Performances. Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: Patrick F. Taylor Foundation Object Project. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Monday, June 15, 2026, 12:00 PM – 12:30 PM.
Tours | Arts of China
Gallery Talks & Tours
Examine the diverse artistic and cultural traditions of one of the world’s oldest civilizations in this in-person, docent-led tour. Learn about Chinese artworks such as ritual bronze vessels, calligraphy, brush paintings in ink and color, and exquisite ceramics.
Please meet at the West Building Information Desk for the tour. Dish with foliate flaring rim; Ming dynasty, Xuande reign, 1426–35; Jingdezhen ware; porcelain with cobalt pigment under colorless glaze; H x Diam: 4.8 × 21.3 cm; National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution, Freer Collection, Purchase—Charles Lang Freer Endowment, F1951.13a-b.
Venue: Asian Art Museum. Building: West Building. Event Location: Meet at Information Desk. Cost: Free. No registration or tickets (walk-up only). Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Monday, June 15, 2026, 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM.
Defending Freedom, Defining Freedom Highlights Tour
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Converse with a docent. Learn how African Americans flourished in their own communities during the Era of Segregation 1876-1968 despite the turmoil around them. Under a time of intense pressure to take away their rights as citizens, African Americans not only survived the challenges set before them but crafted an important role for themselves in the nation.
Image Credit: NMAAHC.
Venue: African American History and Culture Museum. Event Location: This one-hour tour program meets in the Defending Freedom, The Era of Segregation 1876-1968 exhibit, located on C2. Tours take place at 12:45 PM and 2:45 PM. Cost: Free; walk-in
Tours are subject to docent availability; last minute cancellations may occur. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours.
Monday, June 15, 2026, 12:45 PM – 3:45 PM.
Meet the Wheelwoman
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Meet a cyclist pursuing Life, Liberty, and Happiness in the rapidly changing world of the 1890s. The explosive popularity of the safety bicycle at the turn of the century led to more personal mobility and independence for women, empowering them to advocate for change—whether it be less restrictive clothing, improved infrastructure, or even woman suffrage.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: 1 West. Cost: Free. Categories: Demonstrations. Performances. Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: Patrick F. Taylor Foundation Object Project. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Monday, June 15, 2026, 1:00 PM – 1:30 PM.
Slavery and Freedom Highlights Tour
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Explore the complex story of slavery and freedom. Visitors will view priceless objects, connect to the past, and hear about the actions of ordinary men and women, demanding freedom and transforming our nation.
Photo Credit: NMAAHC.
Venue: African American History and Culture Museum. Event Location: Program meets in the Slavery and Freedom exhibition, located on C3. One hour tours take place at 1:15 PM and 2:45 PM. Cost: Free; walk-in
Tours are subject to docent availability; last minute cancellations may occur. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Related Exhibition: Slavery and Freedom.
Monday, June 15, 2026, 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM.
Permanent Collection Tour
Gallery Talks & Tours
The National Museum of Asian Art has over 46,000 artworks from across Asia. Enjoy some of the finest on a docent-led tour and learn about commonalities and differences in cultures, aesthetics, and ideas.
Venue: Asian Art Museum. Building: West Building. Event Location: Meet at Information Desk. Cost: Free. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Monday, June 15, 2026, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM.
For more info visit asia.si.edu. Castle Docent Tours
Ongoing Tours
Join us for an outdoor tour of the first two buildings in the Smithsonian Institution, the Smithsonian Castle and the Arts & Industries Building! Meet one of our volunteer docents by the sign on the west side of the Castle on Jefferson Drive, SW, in front of the S. Dillon Ripley Center.
Tours subject to volunteer availability and weather conditions; last-minute cancellations may occur. Inquire at the Castle information desk. No registration is required.
Venue: Smithsonian Castle. Event Location: The tour begins at the sign on the west side of the Castle on Jefferson Drive, SW, in front of the S. Dillon Ripley Center. Cost: Free. No registration or tickets (walk up). Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Monday, June 15, 2026, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM.
Broad Stripes and Bright Stars
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Meet Mary Pickersgill, seamstress of the enormous garrison flag that inspired the lyrics to America’s national anthem and later became known as the Star-Spangled Banner. What was it like to live in a nation defending its sovereignty? Learn about the War of 1812, considered America’s Second War of Independence, and about ways that widows like Mary expressed patriotism and resourcefulness through acquired skills and family connections.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Flag Hall, 2 Center. Cost: Free. Categories: Performances. Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: The Star-Spangled Banner. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Monday, June 15, 2026, 1:30 PM – 2:00 PM.
Highlights Tour
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Look for our friendly volunteer at the Information Desk for a 45 minute tour of the highlights of the museum.
Venue: Postal Museum. Event Location: Starts at the Information Desk in the Historic Lobby. Cost: Free. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Assisted listening devices. Wheelchair accessible.
Monday, June 15, 2026, 1:30 PM – 2:15 PM.
Meet the Wheelwoman
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Meet a cyclist pursuing Life, Liberty, and Happiness in the rapidly changing world of the 1890s. The explosive popularity of the safety bicycle at the turn of the century led to more personal mobility and independence for women, empowering them to advocate for change—whether it be less restrictive clothing, improved infrastructure, or even woman suffrage.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: 1 West. Cost: Free. Categories: Demonstrations. Performances. Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: Patrick F. Taylor Foundation Object Project. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Monday, June 15, 2026, 2:00 PM – 2:30 PM.
Tour | The Peacock Room at 150
Gallery Talks & Tours
Learn how a dining room built in London 150 years ago has become one of the most famous artworks in the United States today. This free guided tour closely examines American artist James McNeill Whistler’s famed Peacock Room, inspired by Asian art and decorated with Chinese blue and white porcelain. James McNeill Whistler (American, 1834–1903); Harmony in Blue and Gold: The Peacock Room (detail); United Kingdom, 1876–77; room installation, oil paint and gold leaf on canvas, leather, mosaic tile, glass, and wood; National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution, Freer Collection, Gift of Charles Lang Freer, F1904.61.
Venue: Asian Art Museum. Building: West Building. Event Location: Meet at Information Desk. Cost: Free. No registration or tickets (walk-up only). Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Monday, June 15, 2026, 2:15 PM – 3:15 PM.
Broad Stripes and Bright Stars
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Meet Mary Pickersgill, seamstress of the enormous garrison flag that inspired the lyrics to America’s national anthem and later became known as the Star-Spangled Banner. What was it like to live in a nation defending its sovereignty? Learn about the War of 1812, considered America’s Second War of Independence, and about ways that widows like Mary expressed patriotism and resourcefulness through acquired skills and family connections.
Venue: American History Museum. Event Location: Flag Hall, 2 Center. Cost: Free. Categories: Performances. Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: The Star-Spangled Banner. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Monday, June 15, 2026, 2:30 PM – 3:00 PM.
Castle Docent Tours
Ongoing Tours
Join us for an outdoor tour of the first two buildings in the Smithsonian Institution, the Smithsonian Castle and the Arts & Industries Building! Meet one of our volunteer docents by the sign on the west side of the Castle on Jefferson Drive, SW, in front of the S. Dillon Ripley Center.
Tours subject to volunteer availability and weather conditions; last-minute cancellations may occur. Inquire at the Castle information desk. No registration is required.
Venue: Smithsonian Castle. Event Location: The tour begins at the sign on the west side of the Castle on Jefferson Drive, SW, in front of the S. Dillon Ripley Center. Cost: Free. No registration or tickets (walk up). Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Monday, June 15, 2026, 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM.
The Smithsonian in the Arctic: More Than a Century and a Half of Collecting, Research, and Exhibition
All Programs
In 1877, Spencer Baird, the second Secretary of the Smithsonian, dispatched naturalist Edward W. Nelson to the wilds of Alaska for four years, where he became known as “the man who collects good-for-nothing things.” Those things are now among the treasures of the Smithsonian’s anthropology collection. William Fitzhugh, the director of the Smithsonian’s Arctic Studies Center, discusses how Nelson’s research laid the foundation for 150 years of natural history and anthropological studies, as well as exhibits and public programs.
Event Location: This online program is presented on Zoom. Online Link: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/smithsonian-in-arctic?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Cost: View registration price. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/smithsonian-in-arctic?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223.
Monday, June 15, 2026, 6:30 PM – 7:45 PM.
The Art of Indigo, Inspired by George Washington Carver
One-Time Events
Join Kenya Miles, founder of Blue Light Junction, for an in-person workshop exploring the art and history of natural indigo dyeing. Participants will learn about the cultural significance of indigo, the dyeing process, and techniques for creating unique patterns while dyeing their own bandana to take home. We will also be joined by Museum Curator Jeanelle K. Hope shares insights into Carver’s practice of experimentation and ingenuity at Tuskegee University. This workshop is presented in support of the National Museum of African American History and Culture’s traveling exhibition, At the Vanguard: Making and Saving History at HBCUs.
Who this workshop is for:Families and intergenerational groups who want to create together, Individuals curious about natural dyes, Beginners and experienced practitioners, Anyone looking to deepen their connection to material-based practices and learn more about Carver’s legacy,
For Inquiries, please email NMAAHCEngage@si.edu.
Venue: African American History and Culture Museum. Event Location: 2nd Floor Classroom. Cost: $10. Get Tickets/Register: https://tickets.si.edu/nmaahc/events/019e92f7-dee7-8b70-c6bf-b2104fa72a53. Categories: Workshops. After Five. Related Exhibition: At the Vanguard: Making and Saving History at HBCUs.
Monday, June 15, 2026, 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM.
Lincoln's Tragic Admiral: Samuel Francis Du Pont
All Programs
Rear Adm. Samuel Francis Du Pont, once considered among the Navy’s finest officers, suffered lasting damage to his reputation after the failed 1863 ironclad attack on Charleston. Though praised early in the Civil War for securing a major Union victory, he was later miscast as resistant to innovation. Historian Kevin J. Weddle argues that Du Pont supported technological progress but opposed using ironclads for this mission. Overruled by superiors, he carried out the attack, which ended his career. Weddle restores Du Pont’s overlooked contributions to naval modernization and strategy.
Event Location: This online program is presented on Zoom. Online Link: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/lincolns-tragic-admiral?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Cost: View registration price. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/lincolns-tragic-admiral?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223.
Monday, June 15, 2026, 6:45 PM – 8:15 PM.