Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service

12/01/2023

11/30/2023

11/30/2023

Saturday December 2 will be the last day you can see the "Dolores Huerta: Revolution in the Fields | Revolución en los Campos" exhibition at the Greeley History Museum, and the final day of its' national tour. Stop by the museum Thursday through Saturday, 10am to 4pm to learn more about Huerta and her work with the national farm workers movement, and to see how the movement was connected to Greeley and Weld County.

Photo: Farm workers in the fields of the Costal Valleys, Salinas, California, 1980s; credit © David Bacon, 2008.

Dolores Huerta: Revolution in the Fields / Revolución en los Campos is organized by the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service in collaboration with the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery, Washington, D.C. This exhibition received federal support from the Latino Initiatives Pool, administered by the Smithsonian Latino Center.

11/30/2023

Will you be in the downtown Los Angeles, CA area in early December?

The Japanese American National Museum is currently hosting our traveling exhibition “The Bias Inside Us,” which explores the science of implicit bias.

11/29/2023

11/29/2023

On May 13, 1968, Ralph Abernathy, the Poor People’s Campaign chief organizer declared the National Mall a “City of Hope” as he hammered the first nail of construction. It was the beginning of what would be called Resurrection City, the site of a six-week, live-in protest community. Participants in the movement from across the country came together to demand equal rights, protections, and opportunities for the nation’s poor.

The young men and women pictured here were among the demonstrators that helped to build the encampment and protest community on the National Mall.

Explore the impact and legacy of Resurrection City in our “Solidarity Now: 1968 Poor People’s Campaign” traveling exhibition on view now at the New Mexico History Museum!

11/27/2023

This was astronaut, engineer and pilot Kalpana Chawla. Born in Karnal, India, she was the first Indian American astronaut and first Indian woman in space. Dr. Chawla spent more than 30 days in space over two Space Shuttle missions.

Selected into the astronaut corps in 1994, she first flew as a mission specialist and robotic arm operator for the STS-87 microgravity research mission on Columbia in 1997. Her second flight on Columbia, the STS-107 research mission in 2003, ended tragically when the damaged orbiter disintegrated during its return through the atmosphere and the entire crew perished.

Dr. Chawla posthumously received the NASA Distinguished Service Medal and Congressional Space Medal of Honor in recognition of her career and sacrifice.

You can take a deeper dive into Dr. Chawla’s story in our free poster exhibition “I Want the Wide American Earth.” The exhibition, developed in partnership with the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center , explores how diverse Asian Pacific American cultures and communities have shaped and been shaped by the course of our nation’s history.

Request your free digital copy here: https://s.si.edu/3sUwumY

11/23/2023

Harvest ceremonies and festivals have been an integral part of Wampanoag lifeways for thousands of years. Learn the significance of Cranberry Day for Wampano...

11/22/2023

In 1947, Jackie Robinson broke the color line of the MLB. Before that, African Americans played in the Negro Leagues—as did some 240 Latino athletes. Members of the Negro League found their way to Latin America alongside Latinos blocked by segregation in the U.S.

From 1934 to 1951, African American legend Buck Leonard played in the Negro Leagues during the regular season and in the Mexican Leagues during the winter season, playing in Mexico, Puerto Rico, Cuba, and Venezuela all the way up to 1955.

Our “Pleibol: In the Barrios and the Big Leagues” traveling exhibition tells the story of how Latino/a players have had a huge impact on the game. The exhibition opens at the African American Cultural Society, Inc. (Official) on November 25!

You can also take a deep dive in our : s.si.edu/3sbEMSL

Images: Courtesy of The Library of Congress and Gift of Walter "Buck" Leonard, Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

11/22/2023

Did you know that the Moon has no seasons? 🌕 Because the Moon’s axis is tilted only slightly, the angle of the Sun’s rays does not change much—so, no winter, spring, summer or fall on the Moon.

🔎 Find more lunar facts in “A New Moon Rises,” on exhibition at Discovery Place Science.

“A New Moon Rises” was created by the National Air and Space Museum and the Arizona State University and is organized for travel by the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service.

11/20/2023

Many incredibly skilled and talented women, like Hazel Fellows, worked to make the Mission to the moon possible! Explore the stories of these women in our free “Destination Moon: The Apollo 11 Mission” poster exhibition. Request your digital copy here: s.si.edu/3IWOPnl

11/17/2023

The striking imagery featured in “Billie Holiday at Sugar Hill: Photographs by Jerry Dantzic” presents the artist, not only on stage but also among her closest friends and family, projecting warmth, humor and tenderness. The photographer’s unparalleled access also captures Holiday encountering fans, strolling Broad Street in Newark, backstage and performing. Dantzic, an artist in his own right, masterfully captures these moments. The photographs document a significant period in Holiday’s life, just two years before her death at the age of 44.

Learn more about the exhibit: https://woodyguthriecenter.org/visit/exhibits/billie-holiday-at-sugar-hill/

[ Billie Holiday embraces a fan on Broad Street after receiving a gift. Carl Drinkard is behind her flicking his cigar. © 2018 Jerry Dantzic/ Jerry Dantzic Archives. All rights reserved.]

Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service

11/16/2023

A portion of our “Water/Ways" traveling exhibition explores how water shapes human culture -- our ways of life. Water is central within many religious and spiritual traditions.

Hinduism is one of the world’s oldest religions and embodies many different sects and beliefs. However, the importance of water remains central to all Hindus. Rivers are especially sacred as a source of life and able to wash away impurity. The River Ganges in India (seen here) is so important in Hinduism that it is represented by the Goddess Ganga and is believed to wash away sin.

You can learn more about the role of water in diverse spiritual and religious traditions in our "Water/Ways" exhibition! It opens at Oxford Public Library on December 2.

11/14/2023

After a hang-gliding accident in 1978 left her paralyzed, Marilyn Hamilton was determined to continue her active lifestyle, but her heavy wheelchair made that difficult. Drawing inspiration from the materials used in hang gliders, she worked with two friends to invent a lightweight wheelchair that was easy to maneuver. She co-founded Motion Designs in 1979 to manufacture her wheelchairs, still sold today under the brand name Quickie.

Explore the stories of other historical and contemporary women inventors in our free "Picturing Women Inventors" poster exhibition, developed in collaboration with The Smithsonian's Lemelson Center. Request your digital copy here: https://s.si.edu/46db0iO



Image Credit: Photo by Nancy Crase, courtesy of Sports ‘N Spoke

11/13/2023

Opening soon! "The Bias Inside Us" is an exhibition and community engagement project from the Smithsonian that explores the social science, psychology, and consequences of implicit bias. Bias is an innate human trait; we all have it. Being aware of our bias can help us recognize its influence and impact on our behaviors and worldview. "The Bias Inside Us" offers an opportunity to learn how to challenge bias in the world through awareness of one’s own bias.

Opens this Saturday, November 18, 2023

"The Bias Inside Us" is organized by the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service. Major support is provided by The Otto Bremer Trust.

📷: Spanish photographer Angélica Dass’ Humanae project, which reflects on the color of skin that challenges the concept of race. Photo by Science Museum of Minnesota

11/13/2023

Civil rights activist and visionary Dolores Huerta’s incredible life has included being an organizer, lobbyist, leader, teacher and mother. Her unparalleled leadership skills helped dramatically improve the lives of farm workers!

Explore her story and legacy in our “Dolores Huerta: Revolution in the Fields / Revolución en los Campos” traveling exhibition on view now at Greeley Museums!

11/10/2023

These soldiers formed the 369th Infantry Regiment during World War I. Known as the “Harlem Hellfighters, some were awarded the Croix de Guerre for gallantry in action in France in 1919.

Explore “the war to end all wars” and its lasting impact and far-reaching influence on American life in our free poster exhibition “World War I: Lessons & Legacies” s.si.edu/3AaVAOH

Sparked by the assassination of one man, World War I eventually included the forces of the world’s major industrial powers (over 18 countries) and ended with millions dead.

Beyond the countries involved and people affected, World War I gave rise to significant and enduring changes in America. Wartime technologies and medical advances resulted in new industries and novel ways to fight disease and treat disability. The roles that women and minorities filled in the war led to the right to vote for women and a raised consciousness of civil rights issues throughout society.

From the Great Migration to the 1918 flu pandemic and from the unionization movement to women’s suffrage, World War I led to pivotal changes in America’s culture, technology, economy, and role in the world. It redefined how we saw ourselves as Americans and its legacy continues today.

11/09/2023

From Negro Digest to the iconic Ebony and Jet magazines, John H. Johnson changed the landscape of print journalism by offering authentic portraits of both the ordinary and extraordinary aspects of black life. His entrepreneurial reach—enhanced by his wife, Eunice—extended to radio and fashion—eventually making him the first African American to enter the Forbes’ list of the 400 wealthiest Americans. Johnson is one of 27 inspirational African American men featured in our "Men of Change: Power. Triumph. Truth." traveling exhibition on view now at Birmingham Civil Rights Institute and the Birmingham Public Library!

Artist Joe Prytherch who depicts Johnson in the exhibition writes:

"John H. Johnson is a cultural icon who forever changed the world of publishing and entertainment. A man who, in the words of his daughter Linda Johnson Rice, ‘Never stopped dreaming dreams and climbing mountains.’ The cultural significance of his magazines cannot be understated, from their celebration of everyday black America to their work at the forefront of the Civil Rights Movement. It was an honour to create this portrait for the Men of Change exhibition.” —Joe Prytherch

11/09/2023

You can see “Billie Holiday at Sugar Hill: Photographs by Jerry Dantzic” at the Woody Guthrie Center through January 14, 2024!

11/08/2023

The Smithsonian’s Asian Pacific American Center has a new publication out!

“Smithsonian Asian Pacific American History, Art, and Culture in 101 Objects,” edited by Theodore S. Gonzalves, is a rich and compelling introduction to the history of communities as told through 101 objects, from a fortune cookie baking mold to the debut “Ms. Marvel” comic featuring Kamala Khan.

Order “Smithsonian Asian Pacific American History, Art, and Culture in 101 Objects,” here: https://s.si.edu/3MerjEN Smithsonian Books

11/07/2023

Leonarda “Doña Esmeralda” Morales-Acevedo was born into a hammock-making family in San Sebastián, Puerto Rico. In this image, she works from home, stripping fiber from local magüey plants to make thread for weaving hammocks.

Over thousands of years, diverse Indigenous groups from Central and South America populated the islands of the Caribbean. About 1,000 years ago, Arawak-speaking peoples began developing a shared culture across the northern Caribbean islands. Despite regional differences, these peoples, first called Taíno by linguists and archaeologists, were connected through language, trade, religion, and political and family networks.

Words from the islands’ Arawak languages are still used across the Caribbean and throughout the world. In the Caribbean specifically, many places still have their original Indigenous names. Hamaca is one of those surviving Arawak words. Coming from the Taíno word “hamaca”, a hammock is a traditional Indigenous bed suspended by cords at the ends.



Photo: Courtesy of Christina M. González, image taken with support from the National Science Foundation

11/06/2023

It's ! These large-scale, high-resolution photographs of the lunar surface were taken between 2009 and 2015 by NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter! They are featured in our "A New Moon Rises" traveling exhibition on view now at Discovery Place Science !

Explore here: https://s.si.edu/3QPviuk

11/02/2023

In places like Puerto Rico, Cuba, and Jamaica, there are historical records, family stories, and regional traditions that point to Indigenous survival and their rich cultural legacies within and outside of the Caribbean. Today, an increasing number of Caribbean people are calling themselves Taíno as part of a growing movement across countries that declares: “We are still here.”

In this image, Jamaican Taíno leaders of the Yukayeke Yamaye Guani pose at the Rastafari Indigenous Village Tabernacle. Kasike Kilian Nibonrix Kaiman, the chief (cacique) stands with his wife, Chieftaness (cacica) Kasikeiani Ronalda Kaikotekin, and their daughter Tanama-Areyto.

You can learn about the Caribbean Indigenous survival journey through stories, contemporary crafts, and musical instruments right now at our Affiliate Grinnell College. Our “Caribbean Indigenous Resistance ¡Taino Vive!” traveling exhibition is on view there through November 19!



Image: Courtesy of Rastafari Indigenous Village

11/01/2023

Native American women played a central role in the woman suffrage movement for voting rights in the 19th and 20th centuries and in civil rights movements beyond.

A Lakota Sioux, Zitkála-Šá (1876–1938) fought tirelessly for Native American rights. She helped found both the Society of the American Indians in 1907 and the National Council of American Indians in 1926.

Join us all day and all month as we uplift stories that reflect the diverse history, living traditions, art, culture and experiences of Native Americans.

10/31/2023

The Day of the Dead or Día de Mu***os is a special occasion observed to honor and pay tribute to the cycle of life and those who have recently departed. Our Day of the Dead Learning Kit provides the perfect opportunity to learn more about this holiday and celebrate it with your loved ones, students, or local community. https://s.si.edu/3WltRUT

Explore the history of the Day of the Dead traditions, as well as Smithsonian collections, video resources, music, and hands-on activities for in-school or at-home learning.

10/31/2023

The "Negro Motorist Green Book" featured many recreational listings that welcomed Black families--like the famous Idelwild Resort in Michigan. Known as “Black Eden,” Idlewild was the largest and most legendary resort specifically created for Black travelers.

During its 1950s heyday, Idlewild was a magnet for Black culture and entertainment, with a booming nightlife featuring famous performers like Louis Armstrong, Sarah Vaughan and Dinah Washington.

Explore the history and legacy of Idlewild in our traveling exhibition "The Negro Motorist Green Book" on view now at the HOLOCAUST MUSEUM HOUSTON.

Image: Family Beneath Idlewild Sign. Lake County Historical Society, Baldwin, Michigan.

10/30/2023

10/30/2023

Our traveling exhibition “The Bias Inside Us” puts implicit bias under a microscope to examine the science behind it, how it affects all of our lives in hidden ways, and how you can ! See it now at Upcountry History Museum through November 5!

10/30/2023

Behind the artwork

Seen by Mario Moore

Exploring this leader through the theme of FATHERING

Created for this exhibition, this work of art, along with the others on display, portrays the truth of the African American experience in history and today.

Get tickets to experience the exhibit-www.bcri.org
___
Mario Moore (b. 1987)
[Robert F. Smith]
Seen, 2018 (detail)

Courtesy of the artist
www.bcri.org
www.Menofchange.si.edu

10/27/2023

The Boreal Forest is home to 500 billion trees, billions of migratory birds, millions of lakes and miles of rivers! It stores more carbon than most tropical forests and plays a significant role in stabilizing our climate. The boreal forest is also home to hundreds of Sovereign Indigenous Nations and communities that have lived there for thousands of years. Each has their own unique history, language, cultural practices, and spiritual beliefs. Their ways of knowing nature offer a vision for a sustainable future.

Venture deeper into the in “Knowing Nature: Stories of the Boreal Forest” now on view at our Affiliate the Michigan State University Museum through November 12.

10/25/2023

For over 70 years, SITES has created exhibitions that bring knowledge, discovery, and experiences to people across America and beyond. We hope to stimulate conversations: between the national and the local, between the expected and the unexpected, and between the Smithsonian your organization, and your community.

The Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service and Smithsonian Affiliations bring the exhibitions, programs, expertise and educational resources to...

10/24/2023

Explore the science behind bias and how to at Upcountry History Museum!

10/23/2023

It's Bat Week! You can learn more about these nocturnal pollinators as well as daytime pollinators in our free poster exhibit “Pollination Investigation,” developed in partnership with our colleagues at Smithsonian Gardens!

Explore profiles on types of pollinators including bats, bees, beetles, butterflies, hummingbirds, flies, moths, and the wind; and the essential role they play in the natural world! Request a digital copy of the poster exhibit here: https://s.si.edu/40nNleh

10/20/2023

Who loves narwhals? We do! Here are a few Friday tusk facts for all of our narwhal lovers out there!

1. The narwhal’s tusk is a tooth.
2. The tusk continuously grows, but slows as a narwhal ages.
3. Only 50% of females narwhals have tusks.

Learn more about these beloved creatures in our "Narwhal: Revealing an Arctic Legend" exhibition: s.si.edu/470hjGX

10/19/2023

The Poor People’s Campaign was the first nationally-organized demonstration after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s death. For 43 days between May and June 1968, demonstrators demanded social reforms while living side-by-side on the National Mall in a tent city known as "Resurrection City."

Women and family issues were central among the concerns of the Poor People's Campaign. Women not only helped shape the antipoverty movement’s goals, but they also created new models for social movement leadership.

As the principal organizer, the National Welfare Rights Organization brought thousands of participants to the event from across the country. During her speech, Coretta Scott King made the important role women would play in leading the fight for social justice and human rights clear.

“I must remind you that starving a child is violence. Neglecting school children is violence. Punishing a mother and her family is violence. Discriminating against a working man is violence. Ghetto housing is violence. Ignoring medical need is violence. Contempt for poverty is violence”

---Coretta Scott King, Mother’s Day rally speech, May 12, 1968

Explore the history and legacy of the Poor People's Campaign in our traveling exhibition "Solidarity Now! 1968 Poor People's Campaign" (developed in collaboration with the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture ), on view now at the New Mexico History Museum .



Image: Courtesy Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

10/18/2023

Meet a Tuskegee Airman! Saturday, October 21st - 11:00 am Join us for a very special celebration honoring the launch of our new traveling exhibition “Aim High: Soaring with the Tuskegee Airmen” featuring “Black Wings: American Dreams of Flight!” This event will feature the appearance of spec...

10/18/2023

Check out our “Men of Change: Power. Triumph. Truth.” traveling exhibition now at Birmingham Public Library!

10/17/2023

Have you seen our traveling exhibition “The Negro Motorist Green Book” yet? It's on view now at HOLOCAUST MUSEUM HOUSTON! Explore the history and legacy of this life-saving guide created for African American travelers during the Jim Crow-era.

Learn more and plan your visit here: https://hmh.org/event/the-negro-motorist-green-book/