Discover the behind-the-scenes secrets of the Smithsonian!
The Smithsonian has collected more than 142 million objects—from flags and fossils, to sculptures and spacecrafts, to toys and tapestries. But the most unusual thing in its collections just may be the bones of its founder, James Smithson! Smithson's Bones
The Smithsonian is home to the 45.52-carat Hope Diamond, the world’s largest deep blue diamond. The gem has a long and mysterious past—and some people even think it is cursed! History of the Hope Diamond
On August 5, 1973, Arabella and Anita blasted off into space on Skylab II. These two common spiders were NASA’s first eight-legged astronauts! Spiders in Space
The Smithsonian Castle
The Smithsonian Castle, where James Smithson's bones are buried.
The Smithsonian has collected more than 142 million objects—from flags and fossils, to sculptures and spacecrafts, to toys and tapestries. But the most unusual thing in its collections just may be the bones of its founder, James Smithson!
The Smithsonian is home to the 45.52-carat Hope Diamond, the world’s largest deep blue diamond. The gem has a long and mysterious past—and some people even think it is cursed! 
On August 5, 1973, Arabella and Anita blasted off into space on Skylab II. These two common spiders were NASA’s first eight-legged astronauts!