Smithsonian Institution
The Smithsonian Institution (/smɪθˈsoʊniən/ smith-SOH-nee-ən), or simply the Smithsonian, is a group of museums, education and research centers, the largest such complex in the world, created by the U.S. government "for the increase and diffusion of knowledge".[2][3][4] Founded on August 10, 1846, it operates as a trust instrumentality and is not formally a part of any of the three branches of the federal government.[5] The institution is named after its founding donor, British scientist James Smithson.[6] It was originally organized as the United States National Museum, but that name ceased to exist administratively in 1967.[7]
 Logo | |
  Location within Central Washington, D.C.  Smithsonian Institution (the United States) | |
| Established | August 10, 1846 |
|---|---|
| Location | Washington, D.C.; Chantilly, Virginia; New York City |
| Coordinates | 38°53′20″N 77°01′34″W |
| Director | Lonnie Bunch, Secretary of the Smithsonian |
| Employees | 6,375 (as of 28 March 2020[update])[1] |
| Website | www |
Called "the nation's attic"[8] for its eclectic holdings of 154 million items,[6] the institution's 19 museums, 21 libraries, nine research centers, and zoo include historical and architectural landmarks, mostly located in the District of Columbia.[9][4] Additional facilities are located in Maryland, New York, and Virginia. More than 200 institutions and museums in 45 states,[note 1] Puerto Rico, and Panama are Smithsonian Affiliates.[10][11] Institution publications include Smithsonian and Air & Space magazines.
Almost all of the institution's 30 million annual visitors[12] are admitted without charge,[4] the exception being Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum, which charges an admissions fee.[13] Its annual budget is around $1.25 billion, with two-thirds coming from annual federal appropriations.[14] Other funding comes from the institution's endowment, private and corporate contributions, membership dues, and earned retail, concession, and licensing revenue.[6] As of 2021, the institution's endowment had a total value of about $5.4 billion.[15]