The Smithsonian Museums are the most widely visible part of the Smithsonian Institution. The birth of the Smithsonian Institution can be traced to the acceptance of James Smithson's legacy, willed to the United States in 1826. Smithson died in 1829, and in 1836, President Andrew Jackson informed Congress of the gift, which they accepted. In 1838, Smithson’s legacy, which totaled more than $500,000, was delivered to the US Mint and entered the US treasury.

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  • The Smithsonian Museums are the most widely visible part of the Smithsonian Institution. The birth of the Smithsonian Institution can be traced to the acceptance of James Smithson's legacy, willed to the United States in 1826. Smithson died in 1829, and in 1836, President Andrew Jackson informed Congress of the gift, which they accepted. In 1838, Smithson’s legacy, which totaled more than $500,000, was delivered to the US Mint and entered the US treasury. After eight years, in 1846, the Smithsonian Institution was established. The Smithsonian Institution Building, also known as "The Castle," was completed in 1855, to hold the entire Smithsonian collection and offices. It also served as the home for the first Secretary of the Smithsonian Joseph Henry. The National Museum, which is now known as the Arts and Industries Building, was the next Smithsonian building to be built. It was opened in 1881 to provide the Smithsonian with its first proper facility for public display of its growing collections. Since the completion of "The Castle" and the Arts and Industries Building, the Smithsonian Museums have expanded to a total of 19 museums and galleries as well as the National Zoological Park. There are roughly 137 million objects (works of art, natural specimens, cultural artifacts, etc) currently in the museum's collections, and over 25 million people visit the museums every year. Currently one museum, The Arts and Industries Building is closed in preparation for a substantial renovation, and another, The National Museum of African American History and Culture, is currently in the design phase.
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  • The Smithsonian Museums are the most widely visible part of the Smithsonian Institution. The birth of the Smithsonian Institution can be traced to the acceptance of James Smithson's legacy, willed to the United States in 1826. Smithson died in 1829, and in 1836, President Andrew Jackson informed Congress of the gift, which they accepted. In 1838, Smithson’s legacy, which totaled more than $500,000, was delivered to the US Mint and entered the US treasury.
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  • List of Smithsonian Museums
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