Smithsonian Institution

Organization

The Smithsonian Institution is a world-renowned group of museums, education, and research centers created by the United States federal government for the increase and diffusion of knowledge. Founded in 1846 and named after its founding donor, British scientist James Smithson, it operates as a trust instrumentality of the United States. The institution comprises numerous museums, libraries, research centers, and a national zoo, primarily located in Washington, D.C.