Smithsonian News

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National Parks Face Shutdown on Eve of Civil War Anniversary

FORT SUMTER NATIONAL MONUMENT, S.C. -- The looming shutdown of the federal government includes the National Parks Service, which could mean events commemorating the start of the Civil War with a Confederate attack on Fort Sumter may have to happen without the fort itself. A shutdown would also affect trips to the nation's...

Exhibits Spared From Damage in Smithsonian Fire

An outbuilding of the Smithsonian's Museum of Natural History caught fire this morning, sending a large plume of smoke over the National Mall and snarling rush-hour traffic in downtown Washington, D.C., but apparently sparing adjacent museum exhibits from any damage, The Washington Post reported. Smithsonian spokeswoman...

Shipwrecked 2,000-Year-Old Pills Give Clues to Ancient Medicine

Scientists are trying to unravel the mystery of whether pills found in a 2,000-year-old shipwreck were, in fact, created and used as effective plant-based medicines. And the bigger question: Could the ingredients of these ancient tablets still work to help with modern illnesses? Around 130 B.C., a ship, identified as the...

Warhol Foundation Threatens Smithsonian Over Pulled Exhibit

(Dec. 14) -- The Andy Warhol Foundation to America's Attic: Put back that exhibit or we won't give you any more money. The battle between the private arts foundation and the Smithsonian Institution got even testier this week when Warhol executives threatened to cut off funding unless the National Portrait Gallery...

Smithsonian Removes Jesus Video From Gay Exhibit

(Dec. 1) -- The Smithsonian has removed a video from an exhibit on gay love at its National Portrait Gallery after conservative groups and lawmakers condemned the art as "hate speech" intended to offend Christians ahead of Christmas. Art historians and curators say the video, which depicts Jesus on a crucifix covered with...

Background on Smithsonian

The Smithsonian Institution ( ) is an educational and research institute and associated museum complex, administered and funded by the government of the United States and by funds from its endowment, contributions, and profits from its retail operations, concessions, and licensing activities.

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