The Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History was created as an extension and supplement to the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History, founded by James Currey in 1900. It is a modern natural history museum operated by the Smithsonian Institution, established in 1857. It is open 365 days a year and has free admission. Some of the main attractions include the Earthworks exhibit, which is devoted to the wide range of topics covered by natural history, including ecology, anthropology, and geology.
Other attractions include the Charles Darwin Station, where one can learn about the development of birds in the natural world over time, and the Vanishing Evidence, which demonstrate how different animals and plants disappear around the world. This fascinating museum also houses the animal kingdom’s largest collection of fossil specimens, allowing visitors to touch and examine actual dinosaur bones. The National Air and Space Museum also serve as an important division of the Smithsonian, with space shuttles providing passengers a look at the moon and the solar system. Other holdings include the U.S. National Zoo and the Discovery Center, which are well-known museums for young children. The National Mall serves as the headquarters for a large number of businesses, including the Smithsonian.
If you are planning a vacation or a business trip to Washington, D.C. and nearby Maryland, there are numerous attractions to see and to explore. A short drive from the National Mall, visitors can visit the Smithsonian to view the vast collection of fossils, coral reefs, and trees gathered there. In Maryland, tourists can visit the Natural History Museum, the oldest museum in the country. It was founded by Thomas Jefferson and opened in 1859. The museum is filled with exhibits that showcase our vast natural history collections. Other famous museums that are found in the National Mall include the U.S. Air Force Museum, National Maritime Center, Smithsonian American Art Museum, National Zoo, and the National Zoo.