Smithsonian Institution

Butter late than never! 🧈🐮 Don’t miss your chance to see this butter cow on view in “State Fairs: Growing American Craft” at our Smithsonian American Art Museum's Renwick Gallery through Sept. 7.    Every year, visitors to the Iowa State Fair line up to see a life-size butter cow, sculpted by Sarah Pratt and her daughters, Hannah and Grace.    Last summer, the trio created a new sculpture for the exhibition in a special refrigerated case right here in Washington, D.C. Starting with a wire frame to hold the sculpture in place, they carefully shaped 600 pounds of butter over the course of a few days.

a day at the beach < 18 seconds in front of our mollusk collections From snails the size of a grain of sand to the giant squid, the phylum Mollusca can be found in nearly every ecosystem on the planet. Did you know that 16 American states have official state shells representing a variety of marine mollusks? A selection from Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History's collections is included in “From These Lands: Sharing Our Natural and Cultural History.” The exhibition, which marks the 250th anniversary of the United States, features 600 specimens and cultural items representing all 50 states, D.C., and the five U.S. territories.

"The cubs are really just balls of fur that eat and sleep right now." —Jessica Kordell, assistant curator of carnivores Carnivore keepers at the Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute's Front Royal, Virginia, conservation campus are celebrating the births of three red panda cubs, born this summer! Three-year-old female Sequoia and 12-year-old male Mow Mow welcomed two healthy cubs on May 29, one male and one female. Then, on June 11, 3-year-old female Keahi gave birth to a single female cub, sired by 7-year-old male Rocket. To reduce stress on the mothers, or dams, keepers are closely monitoring the families via nest-box cameras. Male red pandas do not provide care to their offspring. These are the second litters born to each couple, although both males have previously sired cubs with other females. Last year, Sequoia and Mow Mow produced two cubs, although neither survived. Keahi and Rocket produced one cub last year, a female named Kuna. Red panda cubs generally have low survival rates, so keeper staff take extra precautions to care for the expecting mothers and cubs. "Having both dams being relatively inexperienced moms, we knew going into it there could be challenges," said Jessica Kordell, assistant curator of carnivores. "This year, we moved the pandas into their air-conditioned, indoor spaces before we had too many hot days. Keeping their natural behaviors in mind, we also elevated the nest boxes off the ground, in hopes of reducing stress on the dams." The families will remain in Front Royal, which is closed to the public. Hoping to see a red panda? Visit the Zoo's adult female, Asa, on Asia Trail.

Homerun! "Jimmy," the Smithsonian's new mascot inspired by founding donor James Smithson, helped us celebrate our 180th birthday with the Washington Nationals. James Smithson believed knowledge benefited everyone, and that sharing it freely could change the world for the better. He left his legacy to America with instructions to create an establishment "for the increase and diffusion of knowledge." One hundred and eighty years and generations of donors later, the Smithsonian is the largest museum, research, and education complex in the world. That's the power a single gift can have. Help fuel our mission: https://s.si.edu/4xv7luI P.S. This message from Jimmy is for the Washington Nationals’ Racing Presidents and the Washington Nationals’ Racing Presidents only: Rematch? ⚾

Not a keychain, a netsuke.   Like many modern trends, netsuke combine utility and fashion. In Japan, they were worn by people wearing kimonos and were attached to external pockets, balancing out the pocket's weight.    As Frank Feltens, a curator at our Smithsonian National Museum of Asian Art, states, "buying something like this is a statement about your character or humor," not dissimilar to a tie or funky socks.  Notice the little details on this piece, such as the barnacles and expression on the octopus's face, which suggests that the wearer of this netsuke had an appreciation of ocean life.  Citations:  🖼️: Kano Chikanobu 狩野周信, “Frolic at the Water's Edge,” painting, late 17th-early 18th century. In the collection of our National Museum of Asian Art.  🐙: Netsuke in form of miniature jar with emerging octopus, Lacquer and glazed ceramic, 18th-early 19th century. In the collection of our National Museum of Asian Art. 

From the desk of Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie G. Bunch III: Happy birthday, Smithsonian! For 180 years, we have grown alongside America, sharing its moments of innovation and inspiration, celebrating its triumphs and trailblazers, preserving its history and heritage. The Smithsonian has been a beacon to the world, a universally revered institution of art, history, culture, science, and education. Our enduring mission of increasing and diffusing knowledge steadfastly guides us in our efforts to demonstrate the best of the nation. In this 250th anniversary of our Declaration of Independence, the Smithsonian has shared exhibitions, events, and public programs that invite people in communities nationwide to reflect on the past, engage with the present, and imagine the future together. None of this would be possible without the incredible efforts of our Smithsonian employees and volunteers, who have enabled this amazing reservoir of wonder and learning continue to set the standard for excellence. In honor of our birthday, explore the U.S. states through the lens of Smithsonian collections. Personally, I clicked on New Jersey first. https://lnkd.in/e9Q673ED

For our 180th, why not four cakes? Cake artists Justin Ellen and Jill Nguyen created these delights inspired by our museums. Help us continue to share knowledge and inspiration for years to come with a special birthday gift: https://s.si.edu/4xv7luI

A proud member of the Tuskegee Airmen, Colonel James E. Randall served in the United States military for 36 years. Following his service during World War II, he joined the newly formed United States Air Force. A flight instructor and fighter pilot, Randall flew 75 combat missions in the Korean War and 44 in Vietnam. It was during a mission over North Vietnam in 1965 that Randall’s F-105 Thunderchief “Thud” fighter-bomber was shot down. Ejecting himself and parachuting to the ground, a wounded Randall avoided capture and called for help. His helmet was lost, but Randall was safely rescued. In 1990, a collector found the helmet at an Army surplus stall in Ho Chi Minh City and spent the next two decades trying to track down Randall, with the help of another Vietnam veteran. The two reunited 86-year-old Randall with his helmet in 2013, nearly 50 years after it was lost. Today, it’s in the collections of our Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture. Randall’s Purple Heart, awarded to service members who have been wounded or killed by enemy action, is also in the collections of the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture. #PurpleHeartDay 📷: James Randall in an F-51 Mustang fighter aircraft at a base in South Korea, ca. 1952. Courtesy of the Pikes Peak Library District.

Oh, shell yeah! 🦪 Both a sculpture and a book, “The Mollusk” is inspired by artist Amy Richard’s research into Florida’s natural environment, poetry, and art history. The artist’s book is an ode to the pen shell, a bivalve commonly found in the Sunshine State’s shallow waters. “This structural artist book.” Richard wrote, “is intended to be held and read as a celebration of nature and a humble reminder of our own fragile connection with one another.” “The Mollusk” is in the collections of our Smithsonian Libraries and Archives (SLA).

You may know him for his music career and unexpected duets with singers Amy Winehouse and Lady Gaga, but Tony Bennett was also an accomplished painter. Swipe to see his work! ➡️ While he enjoyed painting landscapes of places that impacted him (his painting of Central Park is in the collection of our Smithsonian American Art Museum), he also created portraits of his friends and artists who inspired him. Jazz vocalist Ella Fitzgerald, a friend and collaborator of Bennett, would often spend holidays with Bennett and his family. He painted this portrait of her, in the collection of our @AmHistoryMuseum, in 1989. His 1993 portrait of Duke Ellington, in the collection of our @SmithsonianNPG, is said to be his favorite. By the end of the 1990s, Bennett recorded an album of Duke Ellington's songs. In a 2014 interview with CBS, Tony Bennett remembered, "all my relatives said, 'We love the way you sing, and we like the way you paint.'" He spent his life expertly pursing both passions. Today would have been Tony Bennett's 100th birthday. 📷 : Tony Bennett Presents A Painting To The National Portrait Gallery on April 29, 2009. (Photo by Brendan Hoffman / Stringer / Getty Images). 🍂: Anthony Benedetto, "Central Park," 1998. In the collection of Smithsonian American Art Museum. @AmericanArt 🎙️: Tony Bennett, "Portrait of Ella Fitzgerald," 1989. In the collection of our National Museum of American History. @AmHistoryMuseum 🎹: Tony Bennett, "'God is Love' Duke Ellington," 1993. In the collection of the National Portrait Gallery. @SmithsonianNPG