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Smithsonian Institution

All articles tagged with #smithsonian institution

politics24 days ago•1 min saved

Smithsonian Leader Defends Museum Independence Amid Trump Administration Pressure

Lonnie Bunch, the outgoing Smithsonian secretary, defended the institution against accusations of political bias during a speech marking the 10th anniversary of the National Museum of African American History and Culture. Bunch, who announced his resignation in September, rejected claims that the museum’s staff are unpatriotic, arguing that truthful historical curation is an act of love for the country. His remarks follow a series of executive actions by the Trump administration, including a critical report labeling the museum as ideologically captured and threats to alter exhibits. A new legacy fund, seeded by a $3.5 million anonymous donation and a $1 million pledge from Shonda Rhimes, aims to protect the museum’s independence. The conflict highlights a deepening struggle over the Smithsonian’s role, with the administration seeking to impose conservative narratives while the institution maintains its commitment to independent scholarship.

via The Guardian|

#cultural-policy #donald-trump #lonnie-bunch

history29 days ago•21 min saved

Smithsonian DNA Study Confirms Jefferson Fathered Children with Sally Hemings

A 15-year Smithsonian-led study using ancient DNA techniques on Thomas Jefferson’s hair has provided 'extraordinary proof' that he fathered children with enslaved woman Sally Hemings. The findings, detailed in a new book and pending scientific paper, compare Jefferson’s genome with descendants of Hemings’s sons, showing a paternity probability of over 99.9%. While the research has advanced forensic DNA methods, it faces criticism over the premature release of results before peer review and the withdrawal of a key descendant’s consent.

via New York Post|

#dna-testing #history #richard-kurin

politics1 month ago•216 min saved

Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie Bunch to Retire by Year-End Amid White House Pressure

Lonnie Bunch III, the Smithsonian Institution’s first Black and first historian secretary, announced Tuesday that he will step down by the end of 2026. His departure follows a series of public clashes with the Trump administration, which has criticized the museum’s historical narratives and threatened to cut federal support. Bunch stated he is leaving with 'mixed emotions' but insisted that political pressure did not drive his decision, vowing to defend the institution’s independence until his final day. The Smithsonian, which manages 21 museums, 20 libraries, and the National Zoo, faces a leadership transition at a time of heightened political scrutiny over its portrayal of American history.

via NBC News|

#cultural-policy #lonnie-bunch #museum-funding

politics1 month ago•216 min saved

Interior Department warns Smithsonian of severed federal ties over 'ideological activism'

The Trump administration has escalated its pressure on the Smithsonian Institution by threatening to cut off federal agency support, including artifact loans and grants. A letter from the Department of the Interior, sent last week, accuses the museum of promoting 'radical ideology' and 'extreme political activism,' particularly at the National Museum of American History. The administration is demanding an in-person meeting with the Smithsonian board to address these alleged violations of anti-discrimination laws and ideological bias. This move follows a July White House report that criticized the museum’s exhibits for undermining American institutions. Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie Bunch has rejected the claims, asserting that the institution’s work is driven by scholarship and accuracy, not political activism.

via NBC News|

#doug-burgum #federal-funding #national-museum-of-american-history

politics2 months ago•5 min saved

Trump orders signage at Smithsonian to flag 'radical' framing of history

President Trump issued an executive action directing the installation of temporary signs outside the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History to warn visitors about alleged ideological capture and to reflect findings from a White House report criticizing the museum’s exhibits, prompting pushback from Smithsonian leaders who defend independence and accuracy and drawing congressional scrutiny.

via ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos|

#executive-order #national-museum-of-american-history #politics

politics2 months ago•3 min saved

Trump orders warning signs at Smithsonian over what he calls inaccurate US history

President Trump signed an executive order directing warning signs be placed outside the Smithsonian National Museum of American History, accusing certain exhibits of being inaccurate and guiding visitors to what the White House calls accurate information about US history; Democrats criticized the move as political overreach and part of a broader effort to reshape federal cultural institutions amid ongoing debates over curatorial bias and woke ideology.

via BBC|

#culture-wars #executive-order #politics

politics3 months ago•5 min saved

GOP Targets Smithsonian History Narrative, Museum Chief Defends Mission

House Republicans on the Administration Committee grilled Anthea Hartig, director of the National Museum of American History, after a White House report accused the Smithsonian leadership of extreme political activism and erasing American history; Hartig defended the museum’s mission, invited lawmakers to tour the museum, and Democrats denounced attempts to politicize cultural institutions amid broader scrutiny of Smithsonian programming.

via Politico|

#anthea-hartig #house-administration-committee #national-museum-of-american-history

style3 months ago•22 min saved

Smithsonian chief rebuts White House activism claim in staff memo

Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie G. Bunch III defended the National Museum of American History to staff after a White House report accused the Smithsonian of pushing “extreme political activism,” saying the museum’s work is driven by scholarship, accuracy and telling the fullness of America’s history.

via The Washington Post|

#lonnie-g-bunch-iii #museums #national-museum-of-american-history

politics3 months ago•8 min saved

White House accuses Smithsonian's National Museum of American History of activist-driven narrative

A White House report accuses Smithsonian's National Museum of American History of ideological capture and promoting activist, 'social justice' framing over traditional history, criticizing director Anthea Hartig, noting the exclusion of Founding Era topics and a shift from scholarship to activism ahead of the nation's 250th anniversary.

via Fox News|

#activism #history-education #national-museum-of-american-history

usnews6 months ago•3 min saved

Smithsonian’s Hirshhorn chief moves to New York’s Guggenheim, signaling leadership shift

Melissa Chiu, the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden's director for 12 years, will leave Aug. 31 to lead New York's Guggenheim, becoming the latest Smithsonian director to depart in about two years. Chiu has driven digital innovation, expanded education programs, raised nearly $250 million, and oversaw a major collection expansion plus a revamp of the sculpture garden. Aaron Seeto will serve as interim director, while Lonnie Bunch praised her leadership. The move comes amid broader scrutiny and leadership changes at the Smithsonian following a charged political environment around adds and exhibits, including President Trump’s critiques of the institution.

via The Guardian|

#guggenheim-museum #hirshhorn-museum-and-sculpture-garden #museum-leadership

politics9 months ago•26 min saved

Smithsonian submits exhibit records to White House amid funding pressure

The Smithsonian sent requested documentation, including labels and placards from its museums, to the Trump administration after the White House threatened to withhold funding pending more information on exhibits and operations, per an internal email from Secretary Lonnie G. Bunch III obtained by The Washington Post.

via The Washington Post|

#exhibits #funding #lonnie-g-bunch-iii

politics9 months ago•5 min saved

Smithsonian Expands Record Submissions Under White House Audit Push

The Smithsonian submitted additional records in response to a White House audit demand, including digital wall-text from galleries, while reiterating its independence and intent to share information on a rolling basis; officials say full compliance by the Jan. 13 deadline is unlikely, underscoring ongoing tensions over federal funding and how American history is presented.

via The New York Times|

#federal-funding #independence #politics

space-exploration3 years ago•6 min saved

"Space Shuttle Discovery: A Historic Debut 40 Years Ago"

NASA's space shuttle Discovery made its public debut during a rollout ceremony in 1983. It went on to become the most flown orbiter, completing 39 missions over a span of 26 years. Discovery played a crucial role in various missions, including deploying satellites, servicing the Hubble Space Telescope, and assembling the International Space Station. After its retirement in 2011, Discovery was put on display at the Smithsonian Institution's National Air and Space Museum.

via NASA|

#nasa #rollout-ceremony #smithsonian-institution