Join the Associates Legacy Society In the 1830s, a gift from a single benefactor led to the birth of the Smithsonian. Today, you can share the same visionary spirit and generosity embodied by James Smithson by becoming a founding member of the Associates Legacy Society. Smithson saw the new institution as a place uniquely dedicated to learning. And from its founding 60 years ago, Smithsonian Associates has been committed to the same goal: creating opportunities for learning for people of all ages. Your own legacy gift—of any size—will ensure that we are able to continue that vital work for current and future generations. And at the same time, you’ll be able to take advantage of income and tax benefits for yourself and your heirs.
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Dear Friends and Members, ’Tis the season for gifts and gratitude! We have so much to be thankful for, and our team joins me in appreciating all the ways that Associates’ friends and members have supported us this year. Together we celebrated the nation’s 250th anniversary—and the fifth birthday of the National Zoo’s giant panda cubs. We joined hands and listened to gain a deeper understanding of the soundscapes of American spirituality. We were welcomed at
‘Tis the Season for Gifts and Gratitude!
embassies where we shared insights into the importance and vitality of American diplomacy across the globe. We greeted one another at hundreds of programs, both online and in person, inspired by the resources of the Smithsonian’s “reservoir of knowledge.” That wondrous image of the Institution comes from my dear friend and colleague, Lonnie G. Bunch III, the
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soon-to-retire 14th Secretary of the Smithsonian. He frequently speaks of museums as being in the “forever
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business,” and I will be forever grateful to him for his leadership.
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The profession recognizes his rare ability to blend high-level
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scholarship with wide-eyed curiosity and to express vision with
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compassion. We will miss seeing him around the museums on the
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National Mall but are confident that he’ll continue
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to join us for programs in the years ahead.
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The memorable year of 2026 closes with much
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appreciation to all and our warmest wishes for a joyous season. On the cover: Giant panda Qing Bao at the Smithsonian's National Zoo.
Frederica R. Adelman, Director adelmanf@si.edu Robin mstrong
PHOTO: ROSHAN PATEL, SMITHSONIAN’S NATIONAL ZOO & CONSERVATION BIOLOGY INSTITUTE
Imelda Bautista
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Our Shared Future: 250 initiative that celebrates 250 years of American independence in 2026
Programs with this icon showcase the Smithsonian’s world of knowledge and long-term initiatives
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Smithsonian Associates (USPS 043-210) Vol. 55, No. 4, December 2026. Published monthly by Smithsonian Associates, Smithsonian Institution, 1100 Jefferson Drive, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20560. Periodicals postage paid at Washington, DC. and at additional mailing offices. Robert A. Sacheli, Editor; Ric Garcia, Visual Specialist. Copyright 2026 by the Smithsonian Associates. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the Smithsonian Associates, P.O. Box 23293, Washington, D.C. 20026-3293. Printed in the U.S.A. on recyclable paper.
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Connections& Collaborations Perspectives on America at 250 As the United States celebrates its semiquincentennial year, Smithsonian Associates offers a special program series and a host of commemorative programs as part of Smithsonian’s Our Shared Future: 250. Marking 250 years of the nation’s experiment in self-government, these programs explore the people, ideas, conflicts, and aspirations that have shaped America—and how the past informs the challenges and possibilities ahead.
Faith in Harmony: Soundscapes of American Spirituality Rooted in the nation's commitment to freedom of belief, this series explores the rich and evolving landscape of religion and spirituality in America—including Jewish, Islamic, Christian, Buddhist, Hindu, and Native American spiritual practices, among others—through celebrations of sound. Programs, offered free to the public, feature performances and conversations that reveal the human connections that emerge when sounds resonate in harmony. From the sounding of the horn to the strike of the daf, from the healing of the jingle dress to a cantor’s call to prayer, these soundscapes reflect the tones, textures, and connections of American spirituality across the nation.
Together in Spirit Sound is integral to Americans’ faith traditions, from voices raised in song to heralds of bells and horns to the beats that echo in our hearts. This final program in the series reflects back on the sounds of spirituality in the United States and fills out the rich symphony of our experiences with the divine, concluding our celebration of Americans’ faith in harmony. Tues., Dec. 15, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1W0-994; free; registration required; this program is presented on Zoom
The Faith in Harmony: Soundscapes of American Spirituality series received funding from the Smithsonian’s Our Shared Future: 250, a Smithsonian-wide initiative supported by private philanthropy and created to commemorate the nation’s 250th anniversary and advance the Smithsonian vision for the next 250 years
Visit SmithsonianAssociates.org/250 for additional program details and registration information.
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There are 1,273 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, each one offering a glimpse into the evolution of complex civilizations, empires, and religions. In this monthly series, historian Justin M. Jacobs gives an in-depth overview of both well-known and lesser-known locations.
UNESCO World Heritage Sites
The Forbidden City For just over 500 years, from 1420 to 1924, the emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties regarded the vermilion walls, gray cobblestones, and golden tiles of the Forbidden City in Beijing as their home. Jacobs charts a path through the vast courtyards, narrow passageways, and imposing gates of the Forbidden City, treating its art, architecture, and residents as windows into the history and culture of late imperial China. Wed., Dec. 9, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1J0-594; Members $25; Nonmembers $35 Forbidden City, Beijing
Philippine Rice Terraces of Ifugao The photogenic rice terraces of Ifugao appear to rise endlessly into the clouds of the northern Philippine highlands and defy the laws of gravity. Yet their painstaking construction in a very short time speaks to the creative industry of hardy immigrants responding to new, unexpected pressures. Jacobs examines when and how the terraces were built, the social networks that guided their maintenance, and common misperceptions about their origins. Wed., Jan. 6, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1J0-599; Members $25; Nonmembers $35 Rice terraces of Ifugao
Redwood National and State Parks The tallest trees in the world grow only in a narrow strip of land along the coast of Northern California. Delve into the unique biology of the last surviving redwoods, reflected in part through Jacobs’ personal stories and experiences growing up among these majestic giants of the forest. A virtual journey through the redwoods highlights the 19th-century logging industry, the creation of state and national parks, and exciting new discoveries high up in the vertigo-inducing canopies. Redwood National Park
Wed., Feb. 17, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1J0-609; Members $25; Nonmembers $35
Life can be busy. Registered for an online Smithsonian Associates program but missed it because of a conflict in your schedule? Wish you could take another look at a presentation you particularly enjoyed? Your programs... your time
Associates Encores offers the answers.
Many, but not all, Zoom programs are recorded. As a bonus for registrants, recordings are made available within 24 hours after the program has taken place. They can be viewed for up to 72 hours after they become accessible—so you can enjoy the program on your own time, as an audience of one.
Visit SmithsonianAssociates.org/encores for more information.
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Unless noted, all programs are presented on Zoom; listed times are Eastern Time. Online registration is required.
The Cuban Missile Crisis Re-examining a Moment of Extreme Danger NATIONAL ARCHIVES
Most Americans know the basic story of the Cuban Missile Crisis: In 1962, the Soviet Union secretly placed nuclear missiles in Cuba, the United States discovered them, and after a tense 13-day standoff, the Soviets backed down. The episode is often cited as a model of effective crisis management. However, historian Allen Pietrobon argues that the crisis was less a triumph of leadership than a near-disaster averted largely by luck and fear. Pietrobon revisits the crisis through the actions of John F. Kennedy, Fidel Castro, and Nikita Khrushchev and explores how they brought their nations to the brink of catastrophe, who bears responsibility, and whether the United States truly won. President John F. Kennedy and Chairman Nikita Khrushchev
Tues., Dec. 1, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1J0-589; Members $20; Nonmembers $30
The Roots of Religious Freedom: Jefferson’s Revolutionary Vision For more than two centuries, Thomas Jefferson and his Statute for Establishing Religious Freedom have shaped Americans’ understanding of religious liberty and the First Amendment. Jefferson argued that both religious freedom and political freedom depend on keeping church and state separate, a view long embraced by the Supreme Court and historians. But in 1985, Justice William Rehnquist challenged the historical accuracy of relying on Jefferson and his colleague James Madison to understand the First Amendment. Since then, critics have used Rehnquist’s argument to support greater government involvement in religion. Historian John Ragosta defends Jefferson’s vision, tracing it to his religious beliefs and reexamining the origins of the First Amendment. Ragosta argues that the amendment was intended to impose a strict limit on federal involvement in religion. Wed., Dec. 2, 12 p.m.; CODE 1J0-590; Members $20; Nonmembers $30
Religious Identities in Early America Was the United States founded as a Christian nation, or was it more of a melting pot of religious denominations? Rosemarie Zagarri, a professor of history at George Mason University, explores the role of religion in the North American British colonies. She discusses the diverse motives for the colonies’ founding, the varying relationships between church and state, and the extent to which individuals were allowed to practice their religious faiths. She also examines how the coming of the American Revolution unsettled these relationships, creating a new understanding of religious liberty in the new nation. Thurs., Jan. 21, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1H0-934; Members $20; Nonmembers $30
Trinity Church, 1747, Boston
Justice on Trial The Dreyfus Affair and the Making of Modern France Few events shaped modern French political culture as profoundly as the Dreyfus Affair. Historian and author Alexander Mikaberidze examines the case that divided France at the turn of the 20th century and resonated around the world. Beginning with the wrongful conviction of Jewish army officer Alfred Dreyfus Front page of the newspaper in 1894, he traces how the affair exposed deep conflicts between justice and authority, republican ideals and L’Aurore with the letter written nationalism, secularism and religion, and inclusion and exclusion. by Émile Zola, Jan. 13, 1898 Mikaberidze highlights the central role of antisemitism, the rise of intellectuals as public advocates through figures such as Émile Zola, and the political struggles that reshaped the French Republic. He also explores the affair’s lasting influence on civil rights, the rule of law, press freedom, democratic accountability, and the moral and political development of the modern world. Thurs., Dec. 3, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1M2-489; Members $25; Nonmembers $35
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“Keep Calm and Carry On”
The Seven Wonders of Rome
England’s Home Front in World War II
The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World have long captured the world’s imagination. Within that tradition of extraordinary human achievement, archaeologist and historian Darius Arya turns a Roman lens on the innovations that transformed an empire and continue to influence the modern world. Through original on-location footage filmed at sites across the former empire, Arya explores the ingenuity that made Rome one of history’s greatest builders. Guided by the principles of the architect Vitruvius, he examines how Roman ideas about design and construction enabled extraordinary feats—and why so many of these structures have endured for nearly two thousand years. From the Pantheon in Rome to the Alcántara Bridge in Spain, Arya reveals the evolution of Roman engineering and the impact of ancient solutions that still shape Roman Forum the world.
British government propaganda dubbed World War II “The People’s War.” In it, there would be no distinction between a soldier and civilian, as air raids targeted populations once considered off limits: women, children, and the elderly. Historian Julie Taddeo looks at the many ways in which civilians British Board of Trade poster, participated in the war effort, ca. 1943 from the Home Guard volunteers of “Dad’s Army” to housewives who were reminded to “Make Do and Mend” to cinema audiences inspired by patriotic films like Mrs. Miniver. She also discusses how memories of the period live on in British TV shows and films—so much that Queen Elizabeth II invoked the wartime spirit as a rallying call for unity during the Covid-19 pandemic, with Britons and Americans proudly growing Victory Gardens in 2020.
TATE GALLERY
Thurs., Dec. 3, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1K0-761; Members $25; Nonmembers $35
Mon., Dec. 7, 12 p.m., CODE 1D0-190; Members $20; Nonmembers $30
Slavery and the American Revolution
The Death of Major Peirson, 6 January 1781 (detail) by John Singleton Copley, 1783
Historian Richard Bell explores the American Revolution through the experiences of enslaved and free African Americans, revealing a story of upheaval, opportunity, and the limits of freedom. The Revolution was a transformative moment in African American history, second only to the Civil War. On the eve of conflict, more than half a million African Americans lived in slavery across the colonies, from South Carolina’s rice fields and Virginia’s plantations to the port cities of Philadelphia, New York, and Boston. When war erupted in 1775, thousands pursued freedom amid the turmoil. British promises of emancipation encouraged many to leave rebel enslavers, making the conflict a struggle over both independence and slavery. At war’s end, fortunes diverged sharply. Most remained enslaved, but more than 6,000 escaped on British ships.
JACKDAWSON1970 / GEORGFOTOART / CC BY-SA 3.0
Mon., Dec. 7, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1M2-490; Members $25; Nonmembers $35
Nazis in South America Notorious War Criminals Who Escaped Justice Journalist and lecturer Adam Tanner explores how many of Nazi Germany’s most-wanted war criminals avoided justice after World War II. Disguised as refugees and sometimes assisted by sympathetic priests and Catholic Church officials, thousands obtained false identities and travel documents, enabling them to escape to Argentina, Brazil, and other Latin American countries. Among the fugitives were perpetrators of some of the war’s worst atrocities. Adolf Eichmann, a principal organizer of the Holocaust, worked for Mercedes-Benz in Argentina. Franz Stangl, commandant of the Treblinka and Sobibor death camps, was employed by Volkswagen in Brazil under his real name. Josef Mengele, the infamous Auschwitz doctor, also traveled openly for years. While many escaped detection for decades, dedicated Nazi hunters eventually tracked down and prosecuted some of these criminals, though many were never brought to justice.
Passport used by Josef Mengele, 1949
Tues., Dec. 8, 12 p.m.; CODE 1NV-219; Members $25; Nonmembers $35
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A Tudor Christmas
The B-29 Superfortress
Feasts, Festivities, and Fantastic Entertainment
The development of the B-29 Superfortress transformed World War II and reshaped the future of military aviation. Drawing from his new book Bird Men: The Rise of American Airpower and the Machine That Ended World War II, historian A.J. Baime chronicles America’s dramatic transformation from a nation with a modest air force into the world’s dominant air power. Baime reveals how innovation, industrial might, and strategic leadership produced the B-29—an aircraft so advanced that its development rivaled the Manhattan Project in cost and scale. The result was a machine that helped bring World War II to a close and ushered in a new era of American power. Copies of Bird Men (Harper Collins) are available for purchase.
The Tudors made the most of each of the Twelve Days of Christmas. Step into that world with historian Carol Ann LloydStanger and discover how Tudor monarchs, courtiers, and ordinary people celebrated the festive season. Explore a court filled with disguises, extravagant clothing, and the antics of the Lord of Misrule, who oversaw holiday revelry. Learn about New Year’s giftgiving ceremonies, where offerings ranged from baked goods to gold and jewels. Lloyd-Stanger examines the religious and social traditions that shaped Christmastide, from church services and open houses to lavish feasts featuring the elaborate Tudor Christmas pie. She also reveals court intrigue involving Henry VIII and Elizabeth I, uncovering how holiday celebrations became opportunities for diplomacy, romance, politics, and display during one of the most vibrant seasons of the Tudor year. Hampton Court Palace is one of only two surviving palaces owned by King Henry VIII
Wed., Dec. 9, 12 p.m.; CODE 1M2-492; Members $25; Nonmembers $35
History for the Holidays The Spirit of Celebrations Past
The Airplane That Changed World History
Thurs., Dec. 10, 7 p.m.; CODE 1NV-222; Members $25; Nonmembers $35
The Persian Wars and the Birth of Classical Greece
The holiday season in America is a rich tapestry woven from diverse cultural threads, yet many of the customs cherished today are surprisingly recent inventions. Public historian Ken Turino traces how Christmas evolved from a rowdy, outlawed celebration into today’s family-centered holiday and explores the broader winter traditions that shape American life. Drawing on examples from regions across America shaped by Spanish, French, Dutch, and other immigrant influences, Turino reveals how Christmas trees, holiday decorations, and even Santa Claus came to be. He also weaves in the stories of Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and Three Kings Day, showing how these celebrations reflect cultural and social history. This illustrated lecture offers a fresh look at how winter holidays connect us to the complexities of the past—and to each other.
Popular accounts portray the Persian Wars as a simple struggle between East and West, with freedom-loving Greeks defeating barbaric Persian despots. Historian Jeremy McInerney argues that this familiar narrative is misleading. Although Athenians celebrated their democratic triumph over Persia, they often imposed harsh control on other Greek communities. Rather than an inevitable clash of civilizations, McInerney presents the wars as the result of misjudgments, political rivalries, logistical difficulties, and mutual misunderstandings. By examining both sides with greater balance and nuance, he reveals a more complex story than the traditional tale of heroic Greeks resisting Eastern tyranny. McInerney's book By Land and by Sea: The Persian Wars and the Birth of Classical Greece (Oxford University Press) is available for purchase.
Mon., Dec. 14, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1W0-044; Members $20; Nonmembers $30
Mon., Dec. 14, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1K0-764; Members $20; Nonmembers $30
All Smithsonian Associates online programs are closed captioned
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The Olmsted in All of Us
The New United States in the Age of Sail
The Continuing Impact of a Pioneering Landscape Architect From New York’s Central Park to the U.S. Capitol and the White House grounds, the influence of Frederick Law Olmsted and his successor firms Portrait of Frederick is woven into the American landscape. Law Olmsted (detail) Yet few realize there were three by John Singer generations of Olmsteds, whose work Sargent, 1895 helped define landscape architecture and transform the way Americans think about parks, public spaces, and cities. Landscape historian Charles A. Birnbaum, founder and CEO of the Cultural Landscape Foundation, follows the evolution of the Olmsted practice from 1857 to 1979. He introduces the visionary designers and collaborators who shaped communities nationwide and explores pioneering ideas including parkways, park systems, and landscape as essential infrastructure. Birnbaum also highlights Olmsted’s understanding of ecology, water, soil, and planning and concludes by examining the relevance of this legacy, ongoing preservation efforts, and its application to 21st-century challenges.
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In the wake of the American Revolution, American merchants were eager to re-establish themselves on the global stage The U.S.S. Constitution but were thwarted by the loss of protection from the Royal Navy. Historian Carl Herzog of the USS Constitution Museum examines the problems mariners faced in this new era, including the threat to American merchants from Barbary corsairs who captured ships and imprisoned American sailors in the Mediterranean. At home, Americans grappled with the cost and implications of funding a standing Navy to protect their merchants in the Mediterranean and beyond. Congressional approval was highly contentious, and initially came with severe limitations, but the creation of the Navy opened the door to American mariners sailing and trading more securely across the world for the first half of the 19th century. Wed., Dec. 16, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1W0-045; Members $20; Nonmembers $30
Wed., Dec. 16, 7 p.m.; CODE 1NV-223; Members $25; Nonmembers $35
A Preservationist’s Palette Architecture in Color Historic homes require special attention to many architectural elements during the preservation process, including paint color. The Painted Ladies in San Francisco Elizabeth Paliga, are an example of historical house senior preservation colors services manager at Historic New England, a nonprofit historic preservation organization, explores how color captures or complements a building’s character. Paliga offers a framework for understanding which of thousands of color options are historically appropriate to enhance and preserve a building’s style. She delves into changes in paint technology that drove color trends in various periods, illustrating how color choices relate to architectural styles in the Colonial, Federal, Greek Revival, Victorian, Colonial Revival, and modern eras.
Early America Captured in 3 Chronicles Long before the establishment of the United States, Indigenous peoples, European explorers, colonists, traders, and empire builders shaped a continent undergoing profound "A Very True Account of the Destruction of the Indian transformation. In this three-part Regions by Certain series, historian Peter C. Mancall Spaniards," title page, 1598 revisits pivotal moments in the history of North America through the lens of the people who experienced them. Drawing on the latest scholarship and rich historical evidence, Mancall explores the ambitions, uncertainties, conflicts, and cultural encounters that defined the centuries before the American Revolution. Each lecture investigates core texts that reveal central issues of the early colonial era. 3-session series: Tues., Jan. 5–19, 6:30 p.m.; detailed program information on website; CODE 1T0-105; Members $75; Nonmembers $95
Thurs., Dec. 17, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1W0-046; Members $20; Nonmembers $30
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The Hindenburg Disaster Prelude to World War II On the evening of May 6, 1937, the German zeppelin Hindenburg approached Lakehurst, New Jersey, before erupting into flames and crashing in a disaster that unfolded in just 34 seconds. Historian Catherine Grace Katz reconstructs the tragedy through the accounts of passengers, crew members, journalists, and other witnesses, revealing how an engineering achievement became one of history’s most unforgettable catastrophes. Katz also situates the Hindenburg within the broader context of the 1930s, when technological innovation coexisted with rising political tensions. Once a symbol of progress and modernity, the airship was ultimately used by the Nazi regime as a propaganda tool, reflecting a world on the verge of dramatic change. Her newest book, Shadow Before the Flame: The Hindenburg Disaster and the Prelude to War (Viking), is available for purchase. Thurs., Jan. 7, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1D0-193; Members $20; Nonmembers $30
Reconsidering Claudius Ancient Rome’s Unexpected Emperor According to the standards of Roman elites, Claudius should never have become emperor, asserts historian Colin Elliott. Ridiculed for his physical disabilities, excluded from serious politics, remembered by hostile writers as a fool, it was a shock that he became emperor after his nephew Caligula’s assassination. Yet this supposedly absurd emperor governed for 13 years and left behind impressive accomplishments: aqueducts, harbor works, better conditions for slaves, an improved grain supply, and the conquest of Britain. Claudius was eccentric, insecure and often surrounded by dangerous courtiers, but his reign ultimately improved material conditions for many Romans. Did this emperor, despite being mocked as unworthy of the purple by Rome’s aristocrats, in fact understand the empire's practical needs better than they did?
Claudius as Jupiter by Michelangelo Simonetti, Vatican Museum
Thurs., Jan. 7, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1K0-763; Members $25; Nonmembers $35
The Canterbury Pilgrimages
Operation Dragoon
Faith, History, and the Cult of Thomas Becket
Operation Dragoon, launched on Aug. 15, 1944, was the second-largest amphibious assault in the European Theater. Allied airborne, armor, infantry, and commando units struck a 45-mile stretch of the French coast, opening a southern front, securing Marseille and Toulon, and forcing a German retreat. The "Merlinettes" during Originally planned as Operation Dragoon, Provence, 1944 Operation Anvil alongside Normandy, it provoked a fierce dispute between Prime Minister Winston Churchill, who opposed diverting resources from Italy, and Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower, who insisted the operation was essential. Their clash strained the Allied coalition until Churchill reluctantly agreed, later saying he had been “Dragooned” into acceptance. Military historian Mitchell Yockelson recounts the campaign and its impact on the war’s outcome.
Pilgrimage has long been central to major religions and developed as a devotional and penitential practice in the medieval West. From the 11th century onward—especially after the launch of the Crusades—pilgrimage became a significant part of ordinary Christian life. Alongside Jerusalem and Rome, new centers emerged along routes linking northern and southern Europe, including Canterbury in southern England. Medieval historian Barbara Bombi traces the history of the routes leading to Canterbury Cathedral, home to the shrine of Thomas Becket, the archbishop murdered after a conflict with Henry II. The immense popularity of Becket’s cult spurred the cathedral’s Gothic reconstruction and inspired both devotion and later satire, most famously in Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales. Today, thousands of pilgrims continue to walk the Canterbury paths each Canterbury Cathedral, interior year. Fri., Jan. 8, 12 p.m.; CODE 1W0-048; Members $20; Nonmembers $30
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Mon., Jan. 11, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1H0-939; Members $20; Nonmembers $30
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The Merchants of Venice Business and Commerce in the Middle Ages and Renaissance Venice is known for the magnificent palaces that line its canals and the dazzling paintings that adorn its churches. But where did the money come from to create and purchase this beauty? Historian Dennis Romano, author of Venice: The Remarkable History of the Lagoon City, explores the commercial and business history of the Most Serene Republic. He uncovers the multiple keys to Venetian business greatness in the Middle Ages and Renaissance and examines the panoply of skills it took to be a successful merchant of Venice. View of the Grand Canal: Santa Maria della Romano concludes by considering the impact of commerce on the city’s life and culture and the Salute and the Dogana from Campo Santa lingering influence of Venetian trade. Maria Zobenigo by Bernardo Bellotto, 1743 Tues., Jan. 12, 12 p.m.; CODE 1D0-195; Members $20; Nonmembers $30
1980s Britain Revisited What Television’s Rivals Reveals About the Thatcher Era On the surface, the British comedy drama Rivals—a 2024 UK hit now drawing a fast-growing American audience—delivers a show that many media outlets call “delightfully naughty.” Based on Jilly Cooper’s Rutshire Chronicles, its 1980s soundtrack, padded shoulders, and Laura Ashley frocks, the series revels in cutthroat ambition, boozy lunches, and tangled affairs, echoing Dynasty and Dallas. Historian Julie Taddeo uses the show to explore governmental policies, the Cold War, the Irish President Ronald Reagan and Prime Troubles, class hierarchies, workplace misogyny, tabloid royal obsession, responses to AIDS, and the Minister Margaret Thatcher, 1988 rise of MTV and New Wave music. She also considers why the 1980s remain such a compelling subject for reexamination, one that the show reimagines as far more glamorous, exciting, and fun than many may remember. Tues., Jan. 12, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1K0-769; Members $25; Nonmembers $35
Wonderful Nice
The First Barbary War
The Legacy of the Pennsylvania Dutch
The First Barbary War (1801–1805) was the United States’ first overseas military conflict and a defining moment in the development of American foreign policy. Naval historian Abby Mullen provides a look at this often-forgotten war in which the country sought to protect its merchant ships from the Barbary corsairs operating along the North African coast. American leaders faced difficult choices about diplomacy, naval power, and the price of peace. Mullen explains how the Navy A Sea Fight with Barbary Corsair and diplomats worked together by Laureys a Castro, 1681 to solve one of the young nation’s first major foreign relations crises, as she considers how the threat of Barbary corsairs arose, how the Americans approached the threat, and how successful they were.
The Pennsylvania Dutch have made a significant impact on the nation’s development, yet many Americans remain unaware of the unique history of these communities and their language. In 1950, more than half a million people spoke Pennsylvania Dutch. In a lively exploration, public historian Bradley Smith, a native of Lebanon County, examines the origins of the Pennsylvania Dutch, their traditions, and the importance of their legacy. Discover how these communities shaped American agriculture, craftsmanship, cuisine, and folk traditions while preserving a distinctive language and cultural identity across generations. Wed., Jan. 13, 7 p.m.; CODE 1NV-225; Members $25; Nonmembers $35
Thurs., Jan. 14, 7 p.m.; CODE 1CV-099; Members $20; Nonmembers $30
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Molasses: From the Triangle Trade to the Great Flood of 1919 In the 18th century, the New England rum industry’s integral role in the Triangle Trade, which was based on the transatlantic trading of enslaved people, meant molasses was a key part of Boston’s place in the world economy. Centuries later, on Jan. 15, 1919, a storage tank in Boston’s North End burst, sending 2.3 million gallons of molasses flooding into the streets at speeds up to 35 m.p.h. The disaster, which killed 21 people, injured 150, and took weeks to clean up, changed not only the city’s relationship with its longtime economic staple but also construction codes across the country. Historian Anthony Sammarco focuses on the history of molasses from the 18th century to the Great Molasses Flood of 1919.
The Great Molasses Flood, 1919
Tues., Jan. 19, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1W0-051; Members $20; Nonmembers $30
Runes in the Viking Age and Beyond
Tues., Jan. 19, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1H0-936; Members $20; Nonmembers $30
The Hessians Are Coming German Soldiers and the American Revolution Thomas Jefferson condemned King George III for hiring German troops to fight the colonists, a grievance he Illustration of Hessian included in the Declaration of soldiers, ca. 18th century Independence. About 20,000 Hessian soldiers were sent to America, alarming colonists who had been primed by reports portraying them as brutal invaders. Their arrival helped transform the colonial uprising into a full-scale war for independence. Historian Richard Bell examines the Hessians’ role in the British war effort, from driving Washington’s army from New York to their capture at Trenton, which changed American perceptions. Once feared as violent mercenaries, many came to be seen as victims of tyranny. Patriots urged them to desert or switch sides—and thousands did. When the war ended, nearly 6,000 German veterans chose to remain, embracing life in the new United States. Wed., Jan. 20, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1M2-493; Members $25; Nonmembers $35
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Early medieval pin head with runic inscription
The angular characters of the runic alphabet are closely associated with Viking and Germanic cultures and often appear in video games, books, films, souvenirs, tattoos, and political symbolism. Historically, runes formed an alphabetic writing system developed by the second century and used through Late Antiquity and the Middle Ages to record Germanic languages including Old Norse and Old English. The largest collections survive from the Viking Age and medieval Scandinavia and early medieval England, carved on weapons, tools, ornaments, and memorial stones and recorded in manuscripts. Scholar and cultural historian Lilla Kopár of Catholic University traces the development of runic writing from its Mediterranean origins to its diversification across the Germanic world. She highlights famous objects like the Franks Casket and Jelling runestones, along with later antiquarian and modern interest in runes.
Gaeldom: A History of the Highlands The Scottish Highlands are a place of dramatic mountains, ruined castles, ancient traditions, and timeless legends. Historian David McNicoll shares an engaging exploration of the Highlands’ distinctive story, from their geological origins and Celtic Glenfinnan, Scottish Highlands roots to Viking raids, clan rivalries, and the rise and decline of Gaelic culture. Discover how history, myth, and folklore shaped the Highland identity and how this rugged region became one of Scotland’s most powerful symbols. Along the way, enjoy vivid stories of kings, warriors, and lost causes, with perhaps a wee drop of Scotch whisky in spirit, if not in hand. Thurs., Jan. 21, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1T0-107; Members $25; Nonmembers $35
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The Trans-Siberian Railway is the longest railway in the world, stretching nearly 6,000 miles east from Moscow to Vladivostok on Russia’s Pacific coast. Conceived under Czar Alexander III as one of the 19th century’s most ambitious engineering projects, it transformed the geography, economy, and history of Russia. Blending engineering, politics, and human drama, railway historian Christian Wolmar tells the story of the Trans-Siberian’s planning, construction, and expansion, including the Baikal-Amur Mainline—one of the most expensive railway projects ever undertaken. He also explores the larger-than-life personalities behind its creation and examines the pivotal role the railway played in the Russian Civil War.
SOROVAS / CC BY-SA 3.0
The Trans-Siberian Railway
Trans-Siberian Railway
Fri., Jan. 22, 12 p.m.; CODE 1CV-100; Members $20; Nonmembers $30
The Gallipoli Campaign 19th-Century Planning Meets 20th-Century Weapons When the Ottoman Empire entered World War I in 1914, the Mediterranean closed to Russia, cutting off vital Allied supply routes. A British plan to force a passage through the Dardanelles Strait in early 1915 devolved into a land invasion of the Gallipoli Peninsula, leading to months of brutal fighting and a costly stalemate. The battle remains central to national memory in Turkey, Australia, and New Zealand, and its outcome had far-reaching consequences for the wider war. Australian Infantry, 1st Historian and documentarian Indy Brigade, 1915 Neidell examines Gallipoli’s place in the global conflict, exploring the flawed assumptions behind the campaign, the valor of the forces involved, and the mismanagement that prolonged the struggle. He also considers how Gallipoli’s conduct and conclusion shaped the war’s expansion and strategic direction. Mon., Jan. 25, 12 p.m.; CODE 1W0-052; Members $25; Nonmembers $35
More than Marley: A Journey into Rastafari For many people, Rastafari is synonymous with Bob Marley, reggae music, dreadlocks, and the message of “One Love.” But Rastafari is far more: It is a dynamic religious, social, and political movement with roots in Jamaica, Ethiopia, and the global African diaspora. Jake Homiak, anthropologist emeritus at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History, takes an illuminating look at the origins and development of Rastafari from the 1930s to today. Drawing on more than 45 years of fieldwork and personal relationships with some of the movement’s earliest leaders, Homiak explores Rastafari’s ideological foundations, diverse beliefs and practices, and spread around the world. Thurs., Jan. 28, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1T0-106; Members $20; Nonmembers $30
The Indispensable Benjamin Franklin Benjamin Franklin is often celebrated as America’s Leonardo da Vinci. A polymath with an insatiable curiosity and mastery of many fields and professions, Franklin was the embodiment of the Enlightenment. But he was so much more: The famous scientist and inventor made numerous vital contributions to the founding of the nation, both in Philadelphia and as a diplomat in Europe. Master storyteller Robert Watson examines Franklin’s early struggles, complicated and fascinating character, his efforts on behalf of the Declaration and Constitution, and his formidable and timeless legacy. Watson is distinguished professor of American history at Lynn University. Benjamin Franklin by Joseph Siffred Duplessis, 1785
Mon., Feb. 1, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1K0-772; Members $25; Nonmembers $35
All Smithsonian Associates online programs are closed captioned
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The Great Monarchies of Northern Europe
The Kennicott Bible
Why Scandinavia Stayed Royal
The Kennicott Bible is the crown jewel of all medieval Hebrew manuscripts, expertly written by a skillful scribe and beautifully illuminated by an ingenious artist. What makes the manuscript even more remarkable The Kennicott Bible, 1476 is the fact that it was produced in 1476, just 16 years prior to the expulsion of the Jews from Spain in 1492 in the wake of the Alhambra Decree of Ferdinand and Isabella. In addition, printing with movable type had just been invented, with a Hebrew font created a few years earlier—between 1470 and 1475 in northern Italy—though such technology had not yet reached Spain. Historian and biblical scholar Gary A. Rendsburg presents a background of Hebrew Bible manuscripts prior to the age of printing and focuses on the Kennicott Bible, its layout, format, biblical text, and stunningly beautiful illuminations.
The nations of Denmark, Sweden, and Norway are deeply influenced by their shared Viking history and a strong bond with the natural environment. Norway’s fjords, Sweden’s forests, and Denmark’s coastal landscapes have historically shaped lifestyles, from navigation to modern outdoor recreation. Global luminaries like ABBA, design movements such as Scandinavian minimalism, and distinctive Nordic noir TV series highlight their cultural exports. Scandinavian culture is also Great Coat of Arms characterized by robust egalitarianism of Sweden and democracy—yet even as crowns toppled across 20th-century Europe, Denmark, Sweden, and Norway maintained their status as kingdoms. Historian Siobhan Clarke introduces a trio of Scandinavian royal houses and explains their transformation into constitutional monarchies and symbols of national identity and how geography, power, and survival formed Scandinavia into modern nations bound by history. 3-session series: Tues., Feb. 2–16, 12 p.m.; detailed program information on website; CODE 1M2-496; Members $75; Nonmembers $95
An Illuminated Masterpiece
Wed., Feb. 3, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1M2-497; Members $25; Nonmembers $35
Long May She Reign The Forgotten World’s Fair The 1894 Exposition in Golden Gate Park
The Queens Who Ruled Britain
Few people know that San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park once hosted a World’s Fair, the nearly forgotten California Midwinter International Exposition of 1894. Designed to publicize the state’s mild midwinter weather, the fair occupied the site of the present-day California Midwinter Music Concourse and was a paredInternational Exposition down version of the famous 1893 Chicago World Columbian Exposition. In an illustrated program, regional historian John Martini highlights the exotic but short-lived fair that occupied the heart of Golden Gate Park, including scattered surviving remnants of the exposition from 132 years ago.
For centuries, the English monarchy was male. But several women shattered that royal glass ceiling, serving as the head of the British military, acting as supreme head of the Church of England, and ensuring the survival of Queen Elizabeth I the monarchy. Historian Carol Ann Lloyd-Stanger leads an assumption-challenging survey of female reigns, from the first crowned queen of England, Mary I, to the record-breaking longevity of Elizabeth II. She examines how each monarch faced challenges such as war, rebellions, changing relationships with Parliament, and ongoing social and political upheavals. Lloyd-Stanger covers the strengths and weaknesses of these reigning queens and sees how each redefined the role of the ruler and the nature of the monarchy.
Wed., Feb. 3, 7 p.m.; CODE 1NV-228; Members $25; Nonmembers $35
5-session series: Thurs., Feb. 4–March 4, 6:30 p.m.; detailed program information on website; CODE 1M2-498; Members $110; Nonmembers $135
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America’s Anti-Slavery Movement and the History of Human Rights Human rights are understood to be a universal concept, but where did the idea originate? Scholars tend to disagree, with some tracing the history of human rights back to the Enlightenment while others locate the idea’s origins in the aftermath of the Second World War. Historian Bennett Parten discusses this history and explores how America’s anti-slavery movement offered its own significant contribution to the history of human rights. Parten details how well-known abolitionists like William Lloyd Garrison and Frederick Douglass incorporated the language of human rights into their anti-slavery activism, making abolition and human rights synonymous. The result was a new, more modern understanding of rights that proved pivotal in the fight against slavery. Mon., Feb. 8, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1K0-781; Members $25; Nonmembers $35
The Double-V Campaign
Presidential Retreats
Victory Abroad, Victory at Home
Homes, Hideaways, and Life Beyond the White House
During World War II, the United States called on Americans to fight for liberty and democracy abroad, even as millions of Black citizens faced segregation and discrimination at home. Black Americans contributed to the war effort in the armed forces, war industries, and on the home front, while the military remained segregated. In response, Black newspapers launched the “Double-V” campaign, calling for victory over fascism overseas and Double-V Campaign, 1942 over Jim Crow at home. Historian Christopher Hamner explores the roots and progress of the Double-V campaign and how it linked Black Americans’ support for the war effort to expectations that their service and sacrifice would bring more equitable treatment after the war. He examines how wartime activism challenged racial inequality and helped lay groundwork for the civil rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s.
Look beyond the White House to the places where American presidents escaped the pressures of office. From the nation’s earliest years, leaders sought refuge in homes, vacation retreats, and private George Washington’s Mount Vernon, west face hideaways where they could relax, recharge, and reveal their true personalities. Drawing on interviews with former presidents and numerous aides and officials, journalist and historian Ken Walsh explores the historic decisions, pivotal events, and personal moments that unfolded in these settings. His account visits retreats such as George Washington’s Mount Vernon, Theodore Roosevelt’s Sagamore Hill in Cove Neck, New York, Franklin Roosevelt’s Springwood in Hyde Park, New York, the Kennedy compound in Hyannis Port, Massachusetts, and Lyndon Johnson’s Texas ranch. Examining these presidential sanctuaries offers fresh insights into the character, leadership, and private lives of the men who shaped the nation.
Tues., Feb. 9, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1D0-207; Members $20; Nonmembers $30
Wed., Feb. 10, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1D0-202; Members $20; Nonmembers $30
Elbert Hubbard and the Roycrofters America’s Arts and Crafts Movement Fusing the ideals of the British Arts and Crafts movement with his keen business sense, salesman Elbert Hubbard established Roycroft, an artistic and philosophical community in East Aurora, New York, in 1897. The bustling campus of artisans produced handcrafted furniture, copperwork, stained glass, books, and other decorative arts. Although Roycroft closed in 1938 following Hubbard’s death and the onset of the Great Depression, efforts to restore the campus began a few decades later. Today, it is home to a Roycroft print shop museum, inn, restaurant, and shops. Alan Nowicki, program director at Roycroft, recounts the history of the American Arts and Crafts movement through the story of Hubbard’s influential community.
COURTESY OF THE ROYCROFT CAMPUS
FAIR USE / COURTESY OF THE PITTSBURGH COURIER
William Lloyd Garrison
Wed., Feb. 10, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1CV-102; Members $20; Nonmembers $30
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Abraham Lincoln and His Vision of Reconstruction President Lincoln called Reconstruction “the greatest question ever presented to practical statesmanship.” For him, Reconstruction did not begin once the war was over. From the start of the conflict, he had in mind the restoration of the Union and viewed the measures that he took as both a means to bringing the war to a close and an end in itself. He issued his Proclamation of Amnesty and Reconstruction in December 1863 and battled with radical Republicans over rival plans. On April 11, 1865, in what turned out to be his final speech, he addressed the question of the nation’s future. Marking the 218th anniversary of his birth, Lincoln scholar and author Louis P. Masur discusses Lincoln’s ideas about Reconstruction and speculates about how events might have turned out differently had he lived.
WIKIPEDIA / CC BY-SA 4.0
Fri., Feb. 12, 12 p.m.; CODE 1K0-780; Members $25; Nonmembers $35
Recantations: Survivors of the Inquisition The medieval Inquisition is often remembered as a Catholic institution created to suppress heresy, yet modern scholarship views it as a legal system with Meister Eckhart varied procedures and outcomes. Some individuals survived its investigations through recantation, negotiation, or powerful allies, raising questions about how they rebuilt their lives and, in some cases, influenced history. Historian Cheryl White draws on trial records, correspondence, and contemporary accounts to explore philosophers, mystics, and scientists whose encounters with ecclesiastical authorities did not end in execution or imprisonment. She highlights figures such as Galileo Galilei and theologian Meister Eckhart, whose cases opened unexpected new chapters. White examines the wide range of outcomes for the accused: Some returned to quiet lives, yet a few continued to spread the very ideas that had originally drawn scrutiny. Tues., Feb. 16, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1M2-499; Members $25; Nonmembers $35
Harriet Beecher Stowe After Uncle Tom’s Cabin Alone among American novels, Uncle Tom’s Cabin forever changed the social fabric of the United States, says literary and cultural historian Robert S. Levine. Published in 1852, it sold more than a million copies, energized abolitionism, helped to spark the Civil War—and transformed its author. Levine traces Stowe’s nearly 40-year career following her first novel, highlighting her interactions with Black Americans she met, from the lesser-known to leading figures such as Frederick Douglass and Sojourner Truth. Taking Stowe’s most famous novel as the starting point, rather than the zenith, of a career, Levine sheds new light on one of the great writers and social reformers of the 19th century. Levine’s book After Uncle Tom’s Cabin: Harriet Beecher Stowe and the Quest for Interracial Democracy (W. W. Norton & Company) is available for purchase. Tues., Feb. 16, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1K0-783; Members $25; Nonmembers $35
Lands of Myths and Legends: Exploring Classical Mythology Stories from Greek and Roman mythology still surround us today, but mythology was always far more than fantastic tales. Historian Gillian Hovell explores what mythology actually is and the role it played—and still plays—in society. Myth shaped the daily lives of ordinary Greeks and Romans and how they viewed the natural world, political power, and social customs. These stories appeared everywhere: on walls, floors, even the cups people drank from. Passed down through storytelling, song, and every literary genre, myth traveled across the Roman Empire and resurfaced in the Renaissance. The same tales now appear in movies, literature, and the material world, adding color and depth to modern life. Thurs., Feb. 18, 12 p.m.; CODE 1J0-610; Members $20; Nonmembers $30
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Ireland and Britain More Than 800 Years of Conflict SIMON DAWSON / NO 10 DOWNING STREET
Ireland and Britain share a troubled past. Since England first invaded the country more than eight centuries ago, Ireland has suffered from war, religious conflict, and political division, and the encounter between the English and the Irish has also left a profound impact on Irish culture and even on the landscape itself. The peace process in Northern Ireland and Brexit started a new chapter in the history of this complicated relationship. In a daylong seminar, historian Jennifer Paxton, a scholar of Irish and British history, untangles the complicated threads in the story of the Irish and British peoples and analyzes how a heritage of conflict is being transformed by a new spirit of reconciliation. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer meets Irish Taoiseach Simon Harris, 2024
Sat., Feb. 20, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.; detailed program information on website; CODE 1M2501; Members $100; Nonmembers $125
Presidential Style From George Washington’s formal velvet suits to John F. Kennedy’s youthful Ivy League style, presidents of the United States have used clothing to express personality, establish authority, and connect with the public. In this illustrated lecture, fashion historian Summer Anne Lee explores the distinctive styles of presidents from the 18th through the 20th centuries, examining the clothing that made them memorable and the praise, criticism, and cultural commentary it inspired. Drawing on her forthcoming book, Presidential Fashion: An Illustrated History, Lee recounts how presidential dress has changed alongside American ideas about President Kennedy aboard masculinity, respectability, fashion, and leadership. the U.S. Coast Guard yacht Manitou, 1962
Sun., Feb. 21, 3 p.m.; CODE 1CV-103; Members $20; Nonmembers $30
The Battle of Agincourt A New Interpretation of Henry V’s Greatest Victory The Battle of Agincourt, fought on Oct. 25, 1415, was one of the most famous English victories of the Hundred Years’ War. Led by King Henry V, the English army achieved a decisive triumph despite facing a much larger French force. Immortalized in Shakespeare’s Henry V through the St. Crispin’s Day speech and depicted in numerous films, Agincourt remains one of history’s most recognizable battles. Drawing on his book Agincourt: Battle of the Scarred King, medieval military historian Michael Battle of Agincourt, 15th-century Livingston of The Citadel reexamines the conflict using original sources, including the surviving French miniature battle plan. His research offers a fresh interpretation of the campaign and sheds new light on the soldiers who fought and died there, reshaping the understanding of England’s most celebrated medieval battle.
Churchill’s War Rooms Housed beneath the busy streets of central London, the Cabinet War Rooms—now known as the Churchill War Rooms, after their most famous occupant—served as the nerve center of the British government during the Second World War. It was here that Winston Churchill convened his War Cabinet and made decisions that helped shape Allied strategy and ultimately bring about victory in 1945. The rooms’ story, however, is more than that of one man. Oliver Carter-Wakefield, curator of the War Rooms, explores how planners sought to protect the government prior to the outbreak of war, how the site for the War Rooms was chosen and developed, and what daily life was like for the men and women whose efforts ensured that, even during the darkest days of the Blitz, Britain’s war machine continued to function.
IMPERIAL WAR MUSEUMS
Mon., Feb. 22, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1K0-784; Members $25; Nonmembers $35
Tues., Feb. 23, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1H0-941; Members $20; Nonmembers $30
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The Oyster Wars of Chesapeake Bay From raw bars to trendy restaurants, oysters are more beloved than ever. But the affair with these briny bivalves is hardly new. In the 19th century, Chesapeake Bay oysters were big business—and worth fighting for. As demand exploded, the Bay became the scene of a decades-long struggle over who had the right to harvest its seemingly limitless oyster reefs, with watermen, pirates, police, and politicians battling in a world of armed conflict, midnight raids, and contested waters. Chesapeake historian and author Kate Livie shares the colorful characters and remarkable stories of the Oyster Wars and uncovers how the humble shellfish helped build communities and fortunes around the Chesapeake. Oyster Wars, Maryland, 1888
Tues., Feb. 23, 7 p.m.; CODE 1NV-233; Members $25; Nonmembers $35
The First Ladies Located in the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History, the exhibition simply called “The First Ladies” explores the unofficial but important position of first lady. Objects associated with first ladies from Martha Washington to Melania Trump reveal how presidential spouses navigated the demands First lady Mary Lincoln’s purple velvet skirt with of a highly visible public role daytime bodice, 1862 while shaping life in the White House and beyond. More than a display of beautiful gowns and White House memorabilia, the exhibition offers audiences a unique lens through which to explore American history, politics, culture, and the evolving role of women in public life. Lisa Kathleen Graddy, curator of the exhibition, brings this fascinating collection and the stories behind it to life. Wed., Feb. 24, 12 p.m.; CODE 1T0-111; Members $20; Nonmembers $30
From Protest to Politics How Black Americans Transformed the Presidency in the 1960s The history of the 1960s is often told through civil rights leaders, Black protesters, and white politicians who championed landmark legislation. Yet many of the era’s civil rights advances were driven by a generation of largely overlooked Black officials within the federal government. Northwestern University historian Brett Gadsden highlights the contributions of leaders such as Clifford Alexander, Marjorie Lawson, and Louis Martin, who served in the Kennedy and Johnson administrations. Among the first Black officials to reach the highest levels of the executive branch, they broke barriers in the Cabinet, White House staff, and federal agencies by shaping policies and strategies that supported civil rights advancement and the expansion of opportunity. Gadsden’s book From Protest to Politics: How Black Americans Transformed the Presidency in the 1960s (Dutton) is available for purchase. Wed., Feb. 24, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1D0-208; Members $20; Nonmembers $30
Lost Languages Decoding the Hidden Secrets of Human History In 1799, a lieutenant in Napoleon’s army discovered the Rosetta Stone near an Egyptian port city. Inscribed with the same text in three scripts, it became the key to deciphering Egyptian hieroglyphs and unlocked one of the world’s oldest written languages. Linguist Daniel Harbour explores other decipherments that transformed understanding of the past. He recounts how an 18th-century French scholar helped crack the Phoenician alphabet, how an antique collector used engraved “dragon bones” to reveal the secrets of Old Chinese, and how researchers uncovered the meaning of the Andes’ woolen writing. By decoding forgotten scripts and records, scholars illuminated human history and allowed ancient peoples to speak again. Harbour’s book The Book of Lost Languages: An Epic Quest to Decipher the Past (Bloomsbury) is available for purchase. Fri., Feb. 26, 12 p.m.; CODE 1K0-786; Members $20; Nonmembers $30
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King Arthur: Fact and Fiction
Tues., March 2, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1M2-503; Members $30; Nonmembers $45
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Konrad Adenauer and the Making of Modern Germany
ARCHIVE FOR CHRISTIAN-DEMOCRATIC POLICY OF THE KONRAD ADENAUER FOUNDATION
The legends of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table are among the most enduring stories of the Middle Ages, yet scholars still debate whether Arthur existed. Historian Jennifer Paxton explores the evidence for and against a warrior leader who may have Richard Burton as resisted Anglo-Saxon expansion in King Arthur and Roddy McDowall as Mordred in Britain after the collapse of Roman Camelot, 1960 rule. Drawing on historical texts and archaeology, she separates fact from speculation and examines the turbulent world that inspired the legend. Paxton also surveys how Arthur’s story evolved over 1,500 years, transforming from a tale of British and Welsh resistance into an English national myth and a celebrated European literary tradition. She examines how each era has reinvented Arthur for its own purposes, from the musical Camelot to the feminist retelling The Mists of Avalon.
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Born in 1876, just five years after Germany’s unification, Konrad Adenauer lived through nearly every major chapter of the nation’s turbulent 20th-century history. He witnessed the German Empire, World War I, the Weimar Republic, the rise of Hitler and the Nazi regime, World War II and the Holocaust, Germany’s defeat and division, the Berlin Airlift, and the Cold War. At age 73, after the collapse of one Germany, he became the first chancellor of another: the newly established Federal Republic of Germany. As chancellor, Adenauer helped create West Germany’s postwar identity and place in the world. Historian Ralph Nurnberger uses Adenauer’s extraordinary life to examine modern Germany’s development, from unification and empire through war, dictatorship, defeat, and division to the rise of West Germany as a leading postwar power. Konrad Adenauer election poster, 1949
Wed., March 3, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1D0205; Members $20; Nonmembers $30
The Habsburg Dynasty Empire, Faith, and Power in Central Europe For more than six centuries, the House of Habsburg shaped the history of Central Europe. Through strategic marriages, political skill, and military strength, the family transformed a small Alpine territory into one of Europe’s most influential empires. Their legacy left a lasting mark on the region’s politics, culture, and religious life. Historian Alexander Mikaberidze traces the rise and fall of this remarkable dynasty, from its medieval origins to the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian Empire after World War I. Along the way, he explores the Habsburgs’ ambitions, achievements, and enduring influence across Europe. The story is brought to life through the great cities of the former Habsburg realm, including Vienna, Bratislava, Budapest, and Melk, Emperor Maximilian and His Family where grand palaces, magnificent cathedrals, and imperial monuments reflect centuries of Habsburg power (detail) by Bernhard Strigel, ca. and patronage. 1515
Tues., March 9, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1M2-504; Members $25; Nonmembers $35
A Day in History: The Ides of March Only a handful of momentous days in ancient history can be reconstructed almost hour by hour. March 15, also known as the Ides of March, in 44 B.C.E., when Julius Caesar was assassinated, is one of them. Classicist Robert Garland makes this pivotal moment come alive. By early 44 B.C.E., Caesar had been named Dictator in Perpetuity, with the Senate and every arm of government under his control. But rumors were spreading that he might be made king, and most Romans despised the idea of a king. So 80 senators plotted to kill him at the next Senate meeting. The assassination opened the door for Caesar’s grandnephew Octavian, who would go on to become Emperor Augustus. But it also creates questions, among them whether Caesar saw death coming and let it happen.
The Death of Julius Caesar (detail) by Vincenzo Camuccini, 1805
Mon., March 15, 12 p.m.; CODE 1J0-615; Members $20; Nonmembers $30 DECEMBER 2026 SMITHSONIAN ASSOCIATES
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Unless noted, all programs are presented on Zoom; listed times are Eastern Time. Online registration is required.
The Grateful Dead and the Quest for Transcendence The Grateful Dead has more than music to share: The band offers lessons on impermanence, interconnection, and the search for meaning, which author Casey Rae explores. Tracing the Grateful Dead’s connections to the Beat generation, psychedelia, and Eastern philosophy, Rae examines how the band’s music, community, and improvisational ethos reflect deeper questions about transcendence, identity, and human connection. He also offers insights into the Grateful Dead’s influence and timeless appeal. His new book, Dead Dharma: The Grateful Dead and the American Quest for Transcendence (Oxford University Press), is available for purchase.
Wed., Dec. 2, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1K0-755; Members $25; Nonmembers $35
Tues., Dec. 1, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1T0-108; Members $20; Nonmembers $30
Fall Wine Adventure
The Fairies of Winter
Spend a fascinating Friday evening expanding your knowledge of the world of wine as you sip along with sommelier Erik Segelbaum. This immersive program includes a curated personal tasting kit to enhance the experience.
From Nisser to Huldufolk
NATIONAL LIBRARY OF NORWAY / CC BY 2.0
How to Listen to Jazz Listening to jazz is a skill that can be learned through active practice. Educator and jazz musician Alan Sherwin compares hearing jazz without understanding it to watching a game without knowing the rules—events seem random and confusing. Contrary to the myth that jazz musicians simply play whatever they feel, most performances follow a structured harmonic framework that guides improvisation. Learning to recognize this underlying structure can transform jazz from sounding chaotic into something organized, expressive, and exciting. In an engaging introduction, Sherwin demonstrates active listening techniques through familiar songs performed by notable jazz artists. He explains the concept of song form, highlights how jazz musicians interact within an ensemble, and offers listeners practical tools for gaining a deeper appreciation of the music and its artistry.
If you ask most people what a fairy is, they would describe a small, sweet, human-shaped being with butterfly wings who occasionally sparkles and grants wishes. If you ask folklorists, however, they’ll tell you that the tiny, sparkling version of fairies is a relatively new idea, and that, in fact, the fairies of older traditions are something much stranger and wilder. Among the most compelling are the fairies of the dark, cold winter. Folklorists Sara Cleto and Brittany Warman explore winter fairies from different cultures, including the horse- and home-tending Scandinavian nisser, who love a good bowl of porridge; Cailleach Bheur from Scotland, who may be a personification of winter; and Yuki Onna of Japan, who will suck your breath away if she catches you alone on a mountain during a snowstorm.
Detail from a Norwegian holiday card depicting a nisse, 1885
Thurs., Dec. 3, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1J0-591; Members $25; Nonmembers $35
Global Sips | A Top Sommelier’s Guide
Brewed Brilliance: A Sake Deep Dive Sake is made via an intricate and singular brewing process: Rice, water, yeast, and koji mold all work together in an unusual dance known as simultaneous parallel fermentation. Discover how rice species, rice polishing ratios, water sources, terroir, and the brewer’s art define each bottle’s unique character. Explore sake terms and styles, demystify bottle label nomenclature, and learn ways to pair sake with virtually any type of cuisine. Fri., Dec. 4, 6 p.m.; CODE 1T0-095; Members $70; Nonmembers $85 Wine-tasting kit information: The cost includes a curated personal tasting kit with enough wine for one person to sample the full lineup of wines. Additional participants must register individually to receive their own tasting kit, which is an essential component of the workshop. Update: Kits are available during two scheduled pick-up times the day before the program and the day of the program at Cowbell Seafood & Oyster (Union Market, 1309 5th St. NE, Washington, D.C.; Metro: NoMa–Gallaudet U station, Red line.) NOTE: Patrons will receive additional wine tasting kit pick-up information by email prior to the program. Due to state and federal laws, Smithsonian Associates cannot ship wine kits. However, SOMLYAY may be able to provide kits to participants outside the Washington, D.C., area (who must cover shipping costs). Please contact erik@thesomlyay.com for more information.
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Paul Simon’s “Graceland” Days of Miracle and Wonder In 1984, Paul Simon’s new marriage was failing and his career was in danger of stalling. That summer, a bootleg cassette of township jive—the street music of South Africa—became his personal soundtrack. Although South Africa was run under a racist apartheid system, with economic and cultural boycotts in place, Simon grew determined to create a collaboration that included township jive musicians. The result was “Graceland,” which won two Grammys and sold 16 million records. Grammy Award–winning music historian Ashley Kahn unfolds the album’s history and impact, revealing Simon’s creative process, the controversies the music raised, and the forces that helped the album achieve mainstream popularity. Kahn’s new book, Days of Miracle and Wonder: Paul Simon and the Trials and Triumphs of Graceland (Atria), is available for purchase.
DOROTHEA LANGE / FARM SECURITY ADMINISTRATION, 1935
Fri., Dec. 4, 12 p.m.; CODE 1W0-043; Members $20; Nonmembers $30
The Grapes of Wrath A Philosophical Journey Through Steinbeck’s American Epic Published in 1939, John Steinbeck’s The Grapes of Wrath remains one of the most powerful examinations of injustice, displacement, and human resilience in American literature. Philosopher Samir Chopra leads an exploration of this literary masterpiece through close reading and philosophical analysis, examining how Steinbeck weaves questions of dignity, community, morality, and social responsibility into a compelling narrative of the Great Depression. Sat., Dec. 5, 10 a.m.–3 p.m.; detailed program information on website; CODE 1CV-098; Members $80; Nonmembers $100
As You Like It As You Like It (ca. 1599–1600) stands among Shakespeare’s most enchanting comedies, celebrated for its pastoral setting, sparkling wit, and unforgettable characters, including the resourceful Rosalind, the melancholy Jaques, and the charming Orlando. Joseph Luzzi, professor of literature at Bard College, offers an in-depth exploration of Shakespeare’s lyrical language, dramatic artistry, and representations of love, identity, nature, and self-discovery, among other central themes. Luzzi examines how As You Like It fits into the trajectory of Shakespeare’s career and highlights the defining qualities and theatrical innovations that have made the play a perennial favorite. Rosalind, As You Like It
Fri., Dec. 4, 12 p.m.; CODE 1J0-592; Members $25; Nonmembers $35
The Tempest Generally dated to 1610–1611, The Tempest is one of Shakespeare’s final solo-authored plays and often regarded as a testament to the versatility of his imagination. The play explores themes as varied as the supernatural, political power, betrayal, and forgiveness versus vengeance. Joseph Luzzi, professor of literature at Bard College, takes an in-depth look at the play’s captivating language and memorable characters and how it continues to leave audiences spellbound. Mon., Feb. 1, 12 p.m.; CODE 1J0-606; Members $25; Nonmembers $35 Prospero and Miranda
Read more about programs in this guide on our website. Search by code or date. Expanded program descriptions, presenters’ information, and more at SmithsonianAssociates.org.
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JACLYN NASH
In Person
Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra 2026–2027 season Under the artistic direction of maestro Charlie Young, the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra (SJMO) has celebrated some of the greatest jazz music as one of the crown jewels of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History. The orchestra’s 2026–2027 concerts add to that tradition.
Sat., Dec. 5 | A Pan American Nutcracker and Holiday Favorites
Experience a vibrant holiday tradition as the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra presents The Pan American Nutcracker Suite. This spectacular arrangement by Joe McCarthy and Vince Norman reimagines Tchaikovsky’s classic ballet music through the lens of Latin and Afro-Caribbean jazz. The festive program also features big band and vocal arrangements of quintessential holiday favorites including “Sleigh Ride” and “Christmas Time Is Here.” This 2 p.m. concert is held at Coulter Performance Plaza, National Museum of American History and is free. Check for updates regarding reservations at americanhistory.si.edu.
Charlie Young
Sat., April 3 | Blue Ridge to Blue Note: Jazz Masters from Appalachia | Jazz Appreciation Month
Appalachia's role in fueling America and its industries through coal and petroleum is well established, as is its status as the birthplace of bluegrass music. Far less appreciated is the region's contribution to jazz through the noted artists it produced. The SJMO highlights Appalachian-born jazz artists in a concert that includes “Father Steps In” by Earl Hines, “I’m Getting Sentimental Over You” by Tommy Dorsey, and “Chant of the Weed” by Don Redman. Fri., June 11 | Jazz and the U.S. Armed Services
Fri., Feb. 26 | The Legacy of Anita O’Day: A Song Stylist
JACLYN NASH
O’Day shattered the traditional “girl singer” mold with her brilliant rhythmic drive, innovative vocal styling, and streetwise attitude. Celebrate this vocal pioneer—who skyrocketed to fame with the legendary Gene Krupa Orchestra—as the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra presents a tribute to this 1997 National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Master recipient. Featured arrangements include Buddy Bregman’s “I’ll See You In My Dreams” and Billy May’s “Ten Cents a Dance” and “I Love You.”
Congressionally funded U.S. military bands date to 1798 with the establishment of "The President's Own" United States Marine Band. In the 1910s, 1st Lt. James Reese Europe infused elements of jazz into military music, and today most branches of the military have an official jazz ensemble. In June, the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra salutes these military jazz bands and the vital role they play inspiring troops, fostering patriotic spirit, and projecting American cultural power at home and abroad. Selections include “Memphis Blues” by W.C. Handy in a modern arrangement by Carl Wolfe, “American Patrol” in the classic versions associated with F.W. Meacham and Glenn Miller, and the rousing “Armed Forces Medley.”
Individual concerts: Fri., Feb. 26 (CODE 1P0-933); Sat., April 3 (CODE 1P0-934); Fri., June 11 (1P0-935); 7 p.m.; Members $30; Nonmembers $40
Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra in concert
Unless noted, all concerts feature the full orchestra and take place at 7 p.m. in the Warner Bros. Theater, National Museum of American History, Constitution Ave. between 12th and 14th St., NW (Metro: Federal Triangle, Blue, Orange, and Silver lines). Program content is subject to change.
Read more about programs in this guide on our website. Search by code or date. Expanded program descriptions, presenters’ information, and more at SmithsonianAssociates.org.
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“Please, sir, I want some more.”
BRITISH LIBRARY
With his gripping plots, vivid characters, and penetrating social commentary, Charles Dickens always left his readers wanting more. The prolific author of David Copperfield, Great Expectations, A Tale of Two Cities, and A Christmas Carol enjoyed immense popularity during his lifetime and remains one of the world’s most beloved storytellers. From his early hardships in a shoe-blacking factory through his wildly popular performances of his own works, Dickens lived a life of stunning triumphs and tragic reversals almost as adventurous and dramatic as one of his own novels. Follow the life and career of Charles Dickens through the best of times and the worst of times with author Daniel Stashower. He explores Dickens’ life and legacy as actor Scott Sedar reads from a selection of the writer’s most celebrated works. Illustration by John Leech of Ebenezer Scrooge being visited by a ghost, 1843
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Nathaniel Hawthorne
Dickens Without the Humbug
Mon., Dec. 7, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1D0-187; Members $20; Nonmembers $30
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Unpublished Fragments, Uncensored Imagination Novelist Nathaniel Hawthorne is celebrated for his psychologically complex explorations of guilt, sin, Nathaniel Hawthorne morality, and the darker aspects of human nature in masterworks such as The Scarlet Letter and The House of the Seven Gables published in the early 1850s. Scholar Robert S. Levine draws from his most recent book, Nathaniel Hawthorne: Parables, Fantasies, Fragments, to discuss the little-known fragments that Hawthorne wrote during the 1830s and 1840s. During that time, he kept a series of never-published notebooks in which he allowed his imagination to wander freely without having to worry about being called unconventional, radical, depressive, or even mad. Levine addresses Hawthorne’s early writing career, the later publication history of his notebooks, and the fragments themselves to reveal a new, unfamiliar Hawthorne: a literary experimenter and proto-modernist for the contemporary moment. Tues., Dec. 8, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1K0-756; Members $25; Nonmembers $35
This Is Rob Reiner From Small Screen to Big Screen The late Rob Reiner was one of Hollywood’s most versatile talents. As a director, he moved effortlessly among genres, creating such films as This Is Spinal Tap, The Princess Bride, Stand by Me, When Harry Met Sally, Misery, A Few Good Men, and The American President. They Rob Reiner attracted major stars and earned both critical and popular success. Before filmmaking, Reiner became famous as Mike Stivic on the landmark sitcom All in the Family. The son of actor-director Carl Reiner, he also wrote for television, appeared in numerous TV series, and later continued acting in films by leading Hollywood directors. Beyond entertainment, he was an active political advocate. Film historian Max Alvarez explores the life, career, and legacy of the not-easily-classifiable Rob Reiner. Wed., Dec. 9, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1K0-757; Members $30; Nonmembers $45
The History of the Game Show In 1923, the Brooklyn Daily Eagle launched radio’s “Brooklyn Eagle Quiz on Current Events,” the earliest known mass-media game show. Over the next century, game shows evolved from radio to television, cable, and The set of the TV game platforms, surviving scandals, streaming show Family Feud, 1976 investigations, and repeated predictions of decline while awarding millions in prizes. TV transformed the genre in the late 1940s, and by the 1950s high-stakes quiz shows made ordinary contestants national celebrities. The quiz show scandals soon exposed widespread manipulation, leading to public outrage and lasting industry reforms. Despite these challenges, game shows thrived, with more than 1,000 formats entertaining audiences worldwide. Drawing on nearly 50 years of experience, producer Bob Boden explores the genre’s evolution through archival footage and behind-the-scenes stories, revealing why shows like Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune remain enduring cultural favorites. Wed., Dec. 9, 12 p.m.; CODE 1NV-221; Members $25; Nonmembers $35
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Smithsonian Chamber Music Society
In Person
2026–2027 Season Featuring musical masterpieces from the first decade of the 17th century to the early 21st, the Smithsonian Chamber Music Society (SCMS) celebrates its 50th season with performances on some of the world’s most highly prized musical instruments. The season’s repertoire ranges from acclaimed masterpieces to undeservedly obscure gems by frequently overlooked composers. Veteran musicians of the society, some returning to the series after many years, are joined by emerging artists on several programs. Kenneth Slowik, SCMS artistic director and recipient of the Smithsonian Distinguished Scholar Award and Early Music America’s Howard Mayer Brown Lifetime Achievement Award, curates a series of pre-concert talks one hour before most programs, shedding light on the glorious music and the lives and times of the featured composers. Most concerts take place in the intimate Nicholas and Eugenia Taubman Hall of Music in the National Museum of American History.
For a full season overview visit SmithsonianAssociates.org/scms
The Axelrod String Quartet: Stradivarius and Amati JACLYN NASH
Smithsonian Chamber Music Society audiences have the unparalleled experience of being able to hear two magnificent quartets of instruments—one made by Antonio Stradivari, the other by his teacher Nicolò Amati—in this popular four-concert series. The Axelrod Quartet continues to honor Joseph Haydn, “The Father of the String Quartet,” by including one of his 68 inventive masterpieces of the genre in each program.
Upcoming concert: Music by Haydn, Beethoven, and Brahms; Sat., Jan. 23, 7:30 p.m. Counterclockwise: Kenneth Slowik, Joan DerHovsepian, Marc Destrubé, and Mark Fewer
JACLYN NASH
Masterworks of Five Centuries In late February, Gustav Mahler’s autumnal song cycle Das Lied von der Erde (“The Song of the Earth”), brings back members of the Smithsonian Academy Orchestra in a chamber arrangement completed by the Dutch composer Reinbert de Leeuw shortly before his death six years ago. In early April, the strings of the Smithsonian Academy Orchestra give a Wednesday evening performance of Mahler’s rarely heard “expansion” of Schubert’s haunting “Death and the Maiden” quartet. In mid-April, Naoko Takao joins Slowik in a 4-hands Schubertiade. The season concludes with an evening of music Haydn composed for the Esterházy court’s baryton-loving prince. Leopold Mozart called the baryton “one of the most charming of instruments” whose sound resembles that of “the soft humming of bees.” Naoko Takao and Kenneth Slowik
Upcoming concert: Gustav Mahler, Das Lied von der Erde; Sun., Feb. 28, 7:30 p.m.
All programs and artists are subject to change. For complete concert schedules, repertoire, subscriptions and individual concert tickets, and bonus offerings for subscribers visit SmithsonianAssociates.org/scms
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Two Holiday Masterworks Handel’s Messiah and Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker As winter draws near and the holiday season begins, Handel’s Messiah and Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker remain among the most powerful expressions of celebration and wonder. Behind each composer’s triumphant achievement lies a history filled with complex personal struggles, bereavement, social and political change, and religious controversy. In a two-part series, speaker and concert pianist Rachel Franklin takes a close look into the factors that shaped the creativity of both Handel and Tchaikovsky and why Messiah, an instant success when it premiered at Easter in 1742, and The Nutcracker, whose poorly received 1892 debut evolved into international adoration, continue to inspire. 2-session series: Thurs., Dec. 10 and 17, 12 p.m.; detailed program information on website; CODE 1K0-762; Members $50; Nonmembers $70
The Evolution of the American Cookie
PHOTO COURTESY OF AMERICA'S TEST KITCHEN
30 Years of Innovation at America’s Test Kitchen Join Julia Collin Davison, executive editorial director of America’s Test Kitchen, for a delicious look into how cookie baking has evolved over the past 30 years. Drawing on the show’s new book, The New Cookie: Creative Takes on the Classics You Love, Davison reveals the science behind irresistible cookies, including the flavor-enhancing power of browned butter and malted milk powder, plus secrets to achieving a perfect chewy, crispy, or crunchy texture. In conversation with Megan J. Elias, who is the Winiarski Curator of Food and Wine History at the National Museum of American History, Davison considers how cookies have reflected America’s changing tastes, traditions, and home-baking culture across generations. Signed copies of The New Cookie (Penguin Random House) are available for purchase. Tues., Dec. 15, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1T0-100; Members $20; Nonmembers $30 Julia Collin Davison
Lucille Ball The Fabulous First Lady of Funny Come for the laughs (the chocolate factory, the nightclub act with Desi, and a spoonful of “Vitameatavegamin”) and stay for the story of the groundbreaking, television-changing, brilliant comedian who the whole world called Lucy. She left her flagging movie career for the brand-new world of television and stood up to executives who didn’t want Lucille Ball from her husband Desi to play her husband on-screen. She perfected the screwball comedy, broke taboos about women, I Love Lucy, 1957 and altered the viewing habits of Americans and the direction of television. Who doesn’t love Lucy? Serious about her craft, she is unsurpassed as a comedian and was the first woman to run a large, influential Hollywood studio. In a night full of hilarity and admiration, filmmaker Sara Lukinson celebrates one of the greatest and most gifted entertainment legends. Wed., Dec. 16, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1K0-765; Members $25; Nonmembers $35
Dylan Thomas, Poet and Broadcaster
Dylan Thomas, 1938
Dylan Thomas, who remains one of the most popular Modernist poets of the 20th century, asked his readers to “Love the words.” From his early life in Wales to his untimely death, he honed his craft through varied forms of writing, including work for the BBC. Nerys Williams, poet and associate professor at University College Dublin, highlights Thomas’s early life in Wales, his adventures in London, and travels in the United States. His extensive experience as a feature writer and reader at the BBC prepared Thomas for four arduous reading tours of America. Through a close reading of key poems, prose extracts, and excerpts from his radio features, Williams considers Thomas’s evolution as a writer as well as his achievements. Thurs., Dec. 17, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1H0-933; Members $20; Nonmembers $30
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It’s a Wonderful Legacy: Frank Capra’s Life, Films, and America
Moviegoing in America
Frank Capra, the director behind It Happened One Night, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, and It’s a Wonderful Life, created some of the most storied films in American cinema. His stories of hope, perseverance, and courage continue to resonate with audiences today. Author Sam Wasson discusses his new biography of Capra, which draws on archival research and previously unpublished personal writings, with journalist Eric Deggans. Together they examine Capra’s lasting influence on American culture, the complexities and contradictions of his life, and the appeal of the films that made him one of Hollywood’s most celebrated storytellers. The conversation concludes with an audience Q&A. Wasson’s new book, Frank Capra: A Life (HarperCollins), is available for purchase.
Nickelodeons to Movie Palaces to IMAX to Streaming
Thurs., Dec. 17, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1T0-102; Members $25; Nonmembers $35
Ever since the movie industry was born in the 1890s, audiences have been thrilled to watch stories come The Fox Theater in Atlanta to life on the big screen. At first, this screen wasn’t very big. But by the 1920s, extravagant movie palaces were constructed in downtowns all over the country and moviegoing was transformed into a luxury experience. This ended in the 1950s with the explosion of drive-in theaters, followed by multiplexes in shopping malls. Today, going to the movies at 7-story IMAX theaters can be overwhelming. Media historian Brian Rose looks at the history of movie theaters as he examines how the experience of moviegoing has changed over the decades and whether movie theaters will survive in the age of streaming services. Tues., Jan. 5, 12 p.m.; CODE 1J0-598; Members $25; Nonmembers $35
UFOs: How Would Humanity Respond?
Further Explorations in Music Theory
In 2021, the Pentagon acknowledged that Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP) are real and could pose national security concerns, though it offered no evidence that they are extraterrestrial. International relations scholar Alexander Wendt argues that if governments concluded and publicly revealed that UAP were controlled by extraterrestrials, the greatest danger would stem not from aliens but from humanity’s response. While many assume such a discovery would unite the world, Wendt contends it could instead destabilize the international system. Knowing that states are powerless against a vastly superior intelligence could trigger uncertainty, political instability, social disruption, and conflict on a worldwide scale. Wendt’s book The Last Humans: UFOs, Global Security, and the Threat to State Sovereignty (Oxford University Press) is available for purchase.
With conductor Ernest Johnson
Tues., Jan. 5, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1K0-768; Members $20; Nonmembers $30
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Building on Introduction to Music Theory, this advanced course is designed for individuals who read music and Ernest Johnson can visually and aurally recognize basic elements of pitch, rhythm, and form. Using audio and score examples from diverse musical genres, students explore melody and harmony in greater depth through weekly assignments ear training, sight singing with solfege, improvisation, composition, and instructor-led musical dictation. Students are introduced to music notation software and receive a subscription to Noteflight Learn. Topics include major, minor, and modal scales; diatonic triads and seventh chords; harmonization; phrase structure, cadences, harmonic function, common chord progressions, and compositional forms. Access to a piano and basic keyboard familiarity are required. 8-session series: Thurs., Jan. 14–March 4, 6:30 p.m.; limited to 25 participants; CODE 1P0-936; Members $235; Nonmembers $260; includes textbook (plus shipping) and a six-month subscription to Noteflight
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Sherlock Holmes at 140
The Life of Aristotle
The Game’s Afoot
Aristotle stands among history’s most brilliant and influential figures, the inventor of nearly every subject studied in universities today, from biology and political science to literary criticism and logic. Yet his life has long remained elusive. Classics scholar Philip Freeman offers a vivid portrait of Aristotle, tracing his path from orphaned childhood to his years as Plato’s student in Athens and his role as tutor to Alexander the Great in Macedonia. Drawing on ancient sources and modern scholarship, Freeman follows Aristotle through political upheaval and intellectual revolution, revealing him as philosopher, scientist, critic, and seeker of happiness—a man who dissected sea creatures, mapped the stars, and invented logic to understand life’s complexities. Freeman’s latest book, Aristotle: The First Teacher (Yale University Press), is available for purchase.
There’s no mystery why the fame of Sherlock Holmes perseveres. The era of gaslight and hansom cabs is long past, but Holmes remains as popular as ever—in movies, on television, and in print. The year 2027 marks the centennial of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s final original Holmes story and collection, yet the lure of Baker Street is as strong as ever. Celebrate 140 years of Sherlock Holmes on Jan. 6, the fictional birthday of the detective, as writer Daniel Stashower, author of Teller of Tales: The Life of Arthur Conan Doyle, turns a magnifying glass on the legendary sleuth of Baker Street and his creator. He’s joined by actor Scott Sedar, who brings selections from Conan Doyle’s classic Holmes stories to life. Wed., Jan. 6, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1D0-196; Members $20; Nonmembers $30
Mon., Jan. 11, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1K0-782; Members $20; Nonmembers $30
Beethoven’s Concertos
Thinking Ethically
A Bicentennial Celebration
Truth, Debate, and Moral Decision-Making
Nearly 200 years after his death during a violent thunderstorm, Beethoven remains one of the most influential figures in Western culture. Speaker and concert pianist Rachel Franklin explores his remarkable collection of concertos, from the five piano concertos and the Choral Fantasy to the delightful Ludwig van Beethoven by Triple Concerto and radiant Joseph Karl Stieler, 1820 Violin Concerto. Written as showcases for soloist and orchestra, these works reveal Beethoven’s brilliance as a pianist and his revolutionary expansion of the concerto form. Their unprecedented drama, scale, and emotional depth transformed the concert experience. When advancing deafness ended his performing career, his concerto output ceased. Yet the masterpieces he left behind transformed public performance and helped define the style of the Romantic era.
Ethical questions shape our everyday lives, from personal choices to public debates, yet productive conversations about morality often seem difficult. In a three-part series, philosopher Steven Gimbel offers an introduction to moral reasoning, exploring what makes ethical claims meaningful, how different philosophical traditions approach questions of right and wrong, and how these ideas can help in navigating challenging moral dilemmas. Drawing on centuries of philosophical thought and contemporary examples, Gimbel provides practical tools for thinking more clearly, discussing more thoughtfully, and engaging more constructively with the ethical issues that matter most. 3-session series: Wed., Jan. 13–27, 7 p.m.; detailed program information on website; CODE 1CV-ETH; Members $75; Nonmembers $95
4-session series: Thurs., Jan. 7–28, 12 p.m.; detailed program information on website; CODE 1K0-767; Members $100; Nonmembers $125
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Willa Cather: Life and Literature Willa Cather’s fiction offers vivid glimpses into pivotal moments in the nation’s past, from the close of the settlement era and World War I to the legacies of enslavement and Reconstruction. Her lasting achievement lies not only in narrating history but in adding Willa Cather by George depth and complexity to ordinary lives, relationships, and experiences. Marsden, 1921 Shaped by her early years in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley and the Great Plains of Nebraska, Cather worked in Pittsburgh and New York City as a journalist, teacher, and magazine editor before emerging as one of America’s most celebrated novelists, a career that would later earn her the Pulitzer Prize. Ashley Olson, executive director of the National Willa Cather Center, illuminates how she found her voice as a writer and how her writing helps to frame an understanding of the American experience.
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The Well-Rounded Life IMAGE COURTESY OF NATIONAL WILLA CATHER CENTER
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Wed., Jan. 20, 7 p.m.; CODE 1NV-226; Members $25; Nonmembers $35
Rethinking What it Means to Live Well What makes for a good life? It’s often imagined as a matter of focus— mastering a skill, pursuing a passion, or dedicating ourselves to a single goal. Philosopher Amy Berg argues instead for the well-rounded life. Drawing on work in well-being and insights from social science, history, art, and pop culture, she explores how varied pursuits can foster happiness, resilience, and social connection. Berg challenges familiar ideas about achievement, explaining why there’s value in being bad at things we care about and why trying to “live a great story” can mislead. She also examines the tradeoffs involved in balancing multiple interests, inviting a reconsideration of what it truly means to live well. Berg’s book The Well-Rounded Life (Princeton University Press) is available for purchase. Thurs., Jan. 21, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1D0-198; Members $20; Nonmembers $30
Love, Drugs, and War: Obsessions of the Modern Era’s Greatest Composers In this series, music historian Stephen Schultz examines how some of the modern era’s greatest composers channeled their obsessions into music that illuminates the impact of these elements on the human condition.
Hector Berlioz and the Symphonie Fantastique In 1830, French composer Hector Berlioz transformed music history with his Symphonie Fantastique, which offers an intense journey through a mind beset by the Symphonie Fantastique suffering of unrequited love and the (detail) by Harvey Dunn, ravages of opium. Schultz examines 1918 the musical artistry, autobiographical echoes, and cultural moment of Berlioz’s pioneering work. Mon., Jan. 25, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1W0-053; Members $25; Nonmembers $35
Gustav Mahler and the Passions of Symphonies No. 1, 3, and 5 The life of Gustav Mahler was marked by tragedy, trauma, and great loves. His symphonies, accordingly, explore a wide range Gustav Mahler by of human emotions, with none Akseli Gallen-Kallela, more important than his musical 1907 portrayal of love. Schultz delves deeply into movements from his First, Third, and Fifth Symphonies to unfold Mahler’s personal life, including love rejected and love fulfilled. Mon., Feb. 22, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1W0-058; Members $25; Nonmembers $35
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Buddhist Ethics for Everyday Living Steven M. Emmanuel, chair of the philosophy department at Virginia Wesleyan University, outlines how Buddhist teachings might shape the way to handle stress, conflict, work, family responsibilities, consumption, and difficult conversations. Buddha Shakyamuni, The goal is not to persuade Pala dynasty, ca. 1000 individuals toward Buddhism but rather to consider what may be thoughtfully and usefully drawn from Buddhist ways of understanding and responding to meet the challenges of contemporary life. Mon., Jan. 25, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1K0-724; Members $30; Nonmembers $45
Metropolis: Fritz Lang’s Masterpiece at 100 The silent movie masterpiece Metropolis premiered in Berlin on Jan. 10, 1927. Scripted by Thea von Harbou and directed by Fritz Lang, the sci-fi film was listed on the 2001 UNESCO Memory of the World Register and appears on countless best-of lists. Sara Hall, scholar of German cinema, discusses how the film’s treatment of themes such as technological peril and modern social Metropolis, directed by Fritz Lang, 1927 dynamics continues to resonate today. Hall explores the film’s place in von Harbou and Lang’s filmography, the ways its innovative special effects technology pushed boundaries, and how understanding the history of different iterations of the film might matter as much as the quest to achieve a complete restoration. Wed., Jan. 27, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1W0-054; Members $25; Nonmembers $35
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The Beatles’ Touring Era Dive into the songwriting, musicianship, and production behind some of the most influential popular music ever created with Beatles scholars Scott Freiman and Kenneth Womack. Assessing the band’s artistic development from 1962 to 1966, they reveal new insights into the Fab Four’s work—how songs originated and were written, transformed in the studio, and shaped by instrumental choices. Drawing on their new book, the first of a planned two-volume guide to the group’s compositions, they explore the lyrical and musical elements that define the Beatles’ magic, along with the studio methods pioneered by producer George Martin and his engineering team. Freiman and Womack’s book, The Beatles’ Touring Era: Inside the Fab Four’s Musical Artistry, Song by Song, 1962–1966 (Bloomsbury Academic), is available for purchase. Tues., Jan. 26, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1K0771; Members $30; Nonmembers $45
Québec, All Ways From Montréal’s Streets to the Laurentians’ Peaks Québec blends vibrant cities, centuries-old history, stunning wilderness, and distinctive French-Canadian culture. Emmy Award–winning host Darley Newman guides you across the province, from Montréal and Québec City to the Eastern Townships region, Mont Tremblant, the Laurentians, the Mauricie and Outaouais regions, Chelsea, and national parks. Explore historic neighborhoods, discover Indigenous traditions woven into Québec’s cuisine and culture, and sample everything from Montréal’s famous bagels to French and Indigenous culinary specialties. Soar over fall foliage by seaplane, wander Darley Newman, right Québec City’s UNESCO-listed cobblestone streets, ski and snowshoe through winter landscapes, unwind at Nordic spas, and sleep in the world’s largest log cabin. Thurs., Jan. 28, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1J0-603; Members $20; Nonmembers $30
Read more about programs in this guide on our website. Search by code or date. Expanded program descriptions, presenters’ information, and more at SmithsonianAssociates.org.
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PHOTO: CHAD DAVIS / COURTESY OF DARLEY NEWMAN
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How Disney Conquered the Entertainment Universe For more than a century, the Walt Disney Company has played a huge role in transforming every facet of the entertainment business. It pioneered the creation of featurelength cartoons with Snow White, Bambi, and Pinocchio. “The Wonderful World of Disney” and “The Mickey Mouse Club” captured huge television viewerships. Broadway musicals based on Disney films and theme parks pack in crowds. Disney is the owner of the largest collection of franchise movies under the control of a single studio in Hollywood history. And now the Disney+ streaming service is challenging Netflix and other established providers. Media historian Brian Rose examines how the Walt Disney Company evolved from a small cartoon studio in 1923 to one of the most powerful forces in entertainment today. Mon., Feb. 1, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1J0-604; Members $25; Nonmembers $35
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The History of Scotch Whisky From the rugged Highlands to fashionable cocktail bars around the world, Scotch whisky has become one of Scotland’s most celebrated exports. Yet whisky is more than a spirit: It is a story of a people, a landscape, and a centuries-old tradition. Join whisky expert and storyteller David McNicoll for an engaging exploration of Scotland’s national drink. Following whisky’s journey from its origins to its rise as a global phenomenon, he uncovers the innovators, smugglers, entrepreneurs, and visionaries who shaped its history. Discover how geography, tradition, and craftsmanship came together to create the distinctive malts and blends enjoyed today. Tues., Feb. 2, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1T0-110; Members $25; Nonmembers $35
Stravinsky in Motion
Little Red Riding Hood
Reinventing Ballet in the 20th Century
You already know Little Red Riding Hood, the girl in the red cloak who meets a wolf in the woods, but did you know that sometimes she escapes all on her own? While the story is often assumed to be about the vulnerability of young girls, its history is more complex. In her earliest incarnations, for example, Little Red is more of a wily trickster figure, able to outwit her would-be assailant. Illustration of Little Red Riding Join folklorists Sara Cleto Hood by Jessie Willcox Smith, and Brittany Warman of the 1911 Carterhaugh School of Folklore and the Fantastic as they do a deep dive into “Little Red Riding Hood.” This lecture also includes a few prompts for audience interaction.
No composer made ballet more central to his creative evolution than Igor Stravinsky. From the famed Ballets Russes productions of the 1910s to his later collaborations with George Balanchine, ballet became the laboratory in which he continually reinvented himself. Unlike most major composers, who approached dance only occasionally, Stravinsky returned to the stage throughout a Falco Kapuste in Stravinsky’s Apollo remarkable six-decade career. Forced by revolution and war to rebuild his life across Russia, Western Europe, and the United States, he transformed each new beginning into a fresh musical chapter, using ballet to explore an ever-changing language that embraced folklore, Modernism, Neoclassicism, jazz, and serialism. Concert pianist Rachel Franklin traces his extraordinary trajectory through the ballets that defined every stage of his artistic journey. 4-session series: Thurs., Feb. 4–25, 12 p.m.; detailed program information on website; CODE 1K0-779; Members $100; Nonmembers $125
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Mon., Feb. 8, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1J0-608; Members $25; Nonmembers $35
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Reading Gulliver’s Travels Today Travels into Several Remote Nations of the World, better known as Gulliver’s Travels, was first published in 1726, yet its sharp exposure of human folly continues to resonate with modern readers. Written while Jonathan Swift served as dean of St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Dublin, the novel emerged from his deep engagement with the social, economic, political, and religious issues shaping Irish and European life. Swift’s concern with the mismanagement of public affairs found expression in Gulliver’s fantastical voyages, which reflect many of the conflicts and controversies of his age. Lucy Collins, associate professor in the School of English, Drama and Film at University College Dublin, explores how Gulliver’s Travels illuminates public life in the 18th century and today and examines its lasting influence on the development of the novel as a literary form. Wed., Feb. 10, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1H0-944; Members $20; Nonmembers $30
Illustration from Gulliver's Travels: Coloured Picture Book for the Nursery, 1883
Broadway’s Ruins
Hammerstein’s Victoria Theatre, 1900
Nestled among the 41 theaters in the Times Square neighborhood are remnants of Broadway history and, in some cases, entire playhouses hiding in plain sight. Broadway Up Close owner Tim Dolan uncovers these forgotten landmarks, revealing the stories behind the buildings that once defined New York’s theatrical landscape. From lost entertainment palaces to theaters that have found surprising new lives, discover traces of a vanished Broadway that most passersby never notice. Dolan’s journey into the past includes Hammerstein’s Olympia, the Hippodrome, Liberty Theatre, Empire Theatre, Times Square Theatre, and Mark Hellinger Theatre. Wed., Feb. 17, 7 p.m.; CODE 1NV-229; Members $25; Nonmembers $35
An A-Z of J. R. R. Tolkien
The Golden Age of Television
From Middle-earth fiction to his scholarship on Beowulf and fairy stories, J. R. R. Tolkien shaped modern fantasy. His tropes, character types, and personal history have inspired generations. Drawing on his new 26-essay volume, author Adam Roberts offers fresh entry points into Tolkien’s world. His alphabet-based entries—ranging from “Ainulindalë” and “Gandalf” to “Zirakzigil”—explore Tolkien’s themes, influences, and experiences. Roberts’ examination of the ideas and creations of one of the most celebrated writers invites renewed appreciation of a mind, world, and mythology as complex as, though infinitely more magical than, our own. Roberts is a professor of 19th-century literature and culture at Royal Holloway, University of London. His book An A-Z of J. R. R. Tolkien (Bloomsbury) is available for purchase.
American television was all set to roll out in the late 1930s, but its progress was interrupted by World War II. Finally, by the end of the 1940s, NBC and CBS began broadcasting to their East Coast affiliates. They offered viewers everything from situation comedies to newscasts and, most impressively, live original dramas. These anthology programs, such as “Kraft Television Theatre” and “Ford Television Theatre,” launched the careers of actors like Paul Newman and James Dean and playwrights like Paddy Chayefsky and Rod Serling. But by the end of the 1950s, the era of live TV theater was over. Media historian Brian Rose looks at the forces that made this golden age such an intriguing chapter in TV history and why it was so short-lived.
Fri., March 5, 12 p.m.; CODE 1K0-787; Members $20; Nonmembers $30
Thurs., March 11, 12 p.m.; CODE 1J0-614; Members $25; Nonmembers $35
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Unless noted, all programs are presented on Zoom; listed times are Eastern Time. Online registration is required.
In the Company of Pandas Giant pandas have fascinated people for centuries. Panda expert Brandie Smith, John and Adrienne Mars director of the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, offers a firsthand look at these bamboo-eating carnivores, exploring their personalities, behaviors, and daily care. Smith shares stories that reveal their individual quirks while dispelling common myths about panda biology and evolution. She also examines the conservation challenges pandas face. Their unusual reproductive strategy makes them vulnerable to habitat loss and climate change and complicates breeding efforts in zoos. Smith discusses the complexities of raising panda cubs and highlights the ongoing work to protect giant pandas and ensure their survival. Her new book, In the Company of Pandas: My Life with the World’s Favorite Bear (Atria), is available for purchase. Wed., Dec. 2, 12 p.m.; CODE 1W0-047; Members $20; Nonmembers $30
The Rise and Fall of the Dinosaurs For more than 150 million years, dinosaurs ruled the Earth, evolving from humble beginnings into an astonishing diversity of species before a catastrophic extinction. Drawing on the latest discoveries and his own expedition experience, paleontologist Steve Brusatte follows the dinosaurs’ journey from their origins in the Triassic period through their dominance of the Jurassic and Cretaceous worlds to the asteroid impact that brought their reign to an end. He shares fascinating new findings, from feathered predators and giant carnivores to the evolutionary link between dinosaurs and modern birds. Fossil specimen of a Zhenyuanlong, early Cretaceous
Mon., Dec. 7, 12 p.m.; CODE 1T0-101; Members $20; Nonmembers $30
Carving the Grand Canyon
Preserving the Legacy of Women Astronomical “Computers”
The Grand Canyon is one of Earth’s most iconic landscapes, yet a fundamental question remains: How and when did it form? Despite nearly 170 years of investigation, geologists continue to debate the canyon’s origins. Geologist and author Wayne Ranney has spent more than five decades studying the Grand Canyon and following the theories behind its creation. From pioneering geological work in the 19th century to innovative research Grand Canyon today, scientists have searched for clues preserved in the canyon’s rocks and landforms. New discoveries have challenged long-held assumptions and offered fresh perspectives on this mystery. Ranney explores competing theories of the Grand Canyon’s formation and explains why this natural wonder continues to fascinate both scientists and visitors.
R.B. TOTH ASSOCIATES
Evidence, Theories, and Mystery
The Harvard Plate Stacks Astronomical Photographic Glass Plate Collection comprises over 500,000 glass plate negatives with astronomical annotations made by pioneering women who assisted the director of the Harvard Observatory in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. At a time when women were discouraged from working outside the home, these so-called An early astronomical astronomical computers made major photograph of a 1918 solar eclipse during multispectral discoveries, created vital reference catalogs, imaging with light of set foundational best practices, and served as different wavelengths careful stewards of Harvard’s one-of-a-kind astronomical glass plate collection. Thom Burns, curator of the collection, and advanced imaging pioneer Michael Toth discuss its history and how they use advanced technical imaging to preserve and share the work of these women. The collection is at the Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian. Thurs., Dec. 10, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1J0-595; Members $20; Nonmembers $30
Tues., Dec. 8, 7 p.m.; CODE 1NV-220; Members $25; Nonmembers $35
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What Mantises Reveal About Insect Evolution Praying mantises are some of the most captivating predators in the insect world, with their raptorial forelegs, uncanny stillness, and swiveling heads that seem almost alert to a human observer. But mantises are just one branch of a larger family tree called Dictyoptera, which also includes termites and cockroaches, giving scientists a unique window into how such different lifestyles, from ambush hunting to cooperative colony living, could have arisen from shared ancestry. Entomologist Jessica Ware explores the evolutionary history of mantises, examining their hunting behavior, physiology, and relationships to their Dictyoptera relatives to reveal how this striking group came to be. Fri., Dec. 11, 12 p.m.; CODE 1J0-596; Members $20; Nonmembers $30
The Stars of Harry Potter In the blockbuster book series Harry Potter, author J. K. Rowling gave wizard Sirius Black (Harry’s godfather) the name of the brightest star in the nighttime sky. And who can forget the nefarious Draco Malfoy, Harry’s Hogwarts nemesis? Fittingly, the constellation Draco is a serpent-like dragon that wraps around Polaris, the North Star. Follow Sky & Telescope’s J. Kelly Beatty in a bit of whimsy as he explores the true nature of the celestial objects made famous by their literary namesakes.
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The Great Atom Debate In the late 19th century, two brilliant, stubborn Austrian physicists— Ernst Mach and Ludwig Boltzmann—clashed over whether energy or discrete matter was fundamental to the universe. Mach saw atoms as useful fictions; Boltzmann insisted they were real. Despite their opposition, both men shaped young Albert Einstein’s path toward relativity and quantum theory. Drawing on his new book, The Great Atom Debate, physicist Paul Halpern connects this historic clash to today’s debates over what is fundamental, illuminating not just physics’ past but the unseen entities playing roles in theories about its future. The Great Atom Debate (Basic Books) is available for purchase. Thurs., Jan. 7, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1J0-600; Members $20; Nonmembers $30
Tropical Gardens of Florida South Florida’s tropical climate nurtures an extraordinary diversity of plants from around the world. Join Kris Bonner, a master gardener and speaker, on a visually rich virtual exploration of some of the region’s most beautiful gardens and natural landscapes. Blending travel, horticulture, and history, Bonner visits Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, the Kampong, and the stunning gardens of Vizcaya Museum and Gardens. Along the way, discover the story of famed botanist, plant hunter, and spy David Fairchild, whose introduction of more than 20,000 exotic plants and crop varieties helped transform American agriculture. The journey continues to Naples Botanical Garden, Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary, and Everglades National Park, showcasing spectacular flowering plants, majestic palms, rare tropical specimens, and the rich natural heritage that makes South Florida a paradise for gardeners and nature lovers alike. Naples Botanical Garden Tues., Jan. 12, 7 p.m.; CODE 1NV224; Members $25; Nonmembers $35
Mon., Dec. 14, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1J0-597; Members $20; Nonmembers $30
All Smithsonian Associates online programs are closed captioned
These programs are part of Smithsonian Associates
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The Chelsea Flower Show
The Wild Lives of Bald Eagles
A Gardener’s Memories
Few birds capture the American spirit and imagination like the bald eagle. The species’ comeback from near-extinction in the mid-20th century to healthy populations Big Bear Valley bald eagle Jackie with two eaglets today stands as a conservation triumph, and in recent years, “nestcams” have turned some of these birds into online celebrities. The American Eagle Foundation’s wild eagle expert Crystal Slusher and educator Heather Middlebrooks illuminate how bald eagles build and maintain nests, raise young, adapt to seasonal changes, and navigate the challenges of life in the wild. They offer a behind-the-scenes perspective on how rehabilitation and conservation intersect to keep bald eagles thriving, looking beyond individual birds to the larger story playing out in wild nests across the country.
The Royal Horticultural Society’s Chelsea Flower Show has long stood at the pinnacle of world-class floral exhibitions, captivating audiences in London each May since 1913. Experience its wonders through the expert perspective of Karl Gercens, conservatory manager at Longwood Gardens, whose grand displays in Longwood’s historic glasshouses are likely the closest match found in North America to Chelsea’s scale and beauty. By chronicling several of his journeys to the Chelsea Flower Show, Gercens spotlights some of the most intricate garden designs, showcases rare plant varieties, and shares inspiring ideas Topiary elephants at the Chelsea Flower from the internationally Show, 2014 acclaimed designers who bring this spectacular celebration to life.
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
Inside the Nest
EVA RAHMAN NISHI / CC BY-SA 3.0
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Thurs., Jan. 21, 12 p.m.; CODE 1NV-227; Members $25; Nonmembers $35
Tues., Jan. 19, 12 p.m.; CODE 1W0-050; Members $20; Nonmembers $30
Darwin and the Dawn of Conservation Charles Darwin is best known for his groundbreaking theory of evolution, but his contributions to conservation science are less widely recognized. Darwin was among the Charles Darwin, 1874 first to connect the study of evolution with the science of conservation. His writings on both the emergence and the extinction of species revealed a fundamental connection between biology and conservation, and his insights into biology and geology inspired generations of conservationists. Wildlife conservation biologist Fred Bercovitch explores how Darwin’s ideas helped lay the intellectual foundation for modern conservation and how evolution and extinction remain dynamic processes shaped by the continual changes taking place on our planet. Tues., Feb. 2, 7 p.m.; CODE 1CV-101; Members $20; Nonmembers $30
New York’s First Enlightenment How Four Men Made a Cultural Capital In 1800, New York City was bigger than Philadelphia and richer than ever, but it had no real cultural standing. No scientific society, no great museum, no place for artists or thinkers to gather. Biologist Lee Alan Dugatkin discusses how four men changed that. Starting in 1802, DeWitt Clinton, David Hosack, Samuel Latham American Institute Hall, 1079 Third Avenue Mitchill, and John Pintard built the institutions New York was missing: a society for science, an academy for art, a group devoted to literature and philosophy, and a historical society meant to preserve the story of the young nation. By 1817, these institutions came together under one roof at the city’s Old Alms House, forming the country’s first true cultural center. Wed., Feb. 3, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1J0-607; Members $20; Nonmembers $30
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Us: The New Story of Human Evolution As understanding of the past has grown, one belief has endured: that humans are uniquely special. Paleoanthropologist Jeremy DeSilva argues that fossil, genetic, and archaeological discoveries challenge this idea. Humans did not make a sudden leap from ape-like ancestors to modern intelligence. Instead, our defining traits emerged gradually through biological evolution, cultural exchange, and interbreeding with Neandertals, Denisovans, and other ancient relatives. Characteristics often seen as uniquely human, including art, empathy, and complex social behavior, have roots in extinct human species and living primates. DeSilva concludes that few traits belong exclusively to Homo sapiens. Some abilities were inherited, others were borrowed and refined. Very few, he reveals, are truly ours alone. DeSilva’s book Us: The New Story of Human Evolution (Harper) is available for purchase. Thurs., Feb. 4, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1D0-200; Members $20; Nonmembers $30
JASON QUINN / CC BY-SA 3.0
Brilliant Blunders From Darwin to Einstein Everyone makes mistakes. But were the signature theories of some of the greatest scientists—luminaries such as Charles Darwin, Lord Kelvin, Linus Pauling, Fred Hoyle, and Albert Einstein—free of blunders? Surprisingly, they were not. Mario Livio In a fascinating intellectual journey, astrophysicist Mario Livio demonstrates that mistakes are part and parcel of the process through which science advances. He examines serious oversights in the scientific work of these visionary trailblazers and attempts to identify the objective and psychological origins of these errors. Livio explains why these blunders were still “brilliant” and how they played an essential role in the theories of the evolution of life on Earth, the evolution of the Earth itself, and the evolution of the universe as a whole. Wed., Feb. 17, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1M2-500; Members $25; Nonmembers $35
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Botanical Gardens Winter Series Escape the winter chill with a colorful series of virtual visits to some of the world’s most remarkable botanical gardens. Horticultural expert Keith Tomlinson leads programs exploring South Africa, Morocco, and Turkey, while Kris Bonner, a master gardener and speaker, steps inside London’s renowned Kew Gardens. Through vibrant visuals and engaging stories, discover how these extraordinary gardens celebrate plant diversity, history, conservation, design, and the unique environments in which they flourish. FEB 7 Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, South Africa FEB 21 Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, London FEB 28 Majorelle Garden, Morocco and Nezahat Gökyiğit Botanical Garden, Turkey 3-session series: Sun., Feb. 7, 21, and 28, 4 p.m.; CODE 1NV-BOT; Members $65; Nonmembers $90 Individual sessions: Sun., Feb. 7 (CODE 1NV-230); Sun., Feb. 21 (CODE 1NV-231); Sun., Feb. 28 (CODE 1NV-232); 4 p.m.; Members $25; Nonmembers $35 Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden
Showing Orchids: Tips from the Philadelphia Flower Show For many orchid enthusiasts, exhibiting a prized plant at a flower show is the ultimate goal. Barb Schmidt, vice chair of the orchid classes for the Philadelphia Flower Show, explains how to get started with a behind-the-scenes look at the exhibition process, from growing, selecting, and preparing plants to understanding how orchids are evaluated. She shares practical guidance for growers interested in entering their orchids in competition, highlights what attendees should look for when visiting a show, and discusses the unique appeal Orchid display, Philadelphia of orchid exhibitions. Schmidt also Flower Show offers a glimpse into what orchid lovers can expect at the upcoming Philadelphia Flower Show. Tues., Feb. 9, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1T0-109; Members $20; Nonmembers $30
These programs are part of Smithsonian Associates
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Return of the Wild A Lewis and Clark Wildlife Resurvey Lewis and Clark’s journals provide one of the earliest detailed records of North American wildlife, documenting animals they encountered, many unknown to them. In spring 2026, a team of biologists from the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, led by Roland Kays, retraced the explorers’ route from Pittsburgh to the Pacific Coast. Roland Kays (left) and a fellow explorer Traveling by van and boat, the researchers followed the same rivers, deployed camera traps, and met with tribal college representatives, ranchers, and biologists who know these landscapes today. Their journey explored how wildlife has changed since Lewis and Clark’s time. Some species the original explorers recorded are now extinct, while others still thrive. Kays highlights how conservation efforts have helped certain species survive and recover across America. Thurs., Feb. 25, 7 p.m.; CODE 1NV-234; Members $25; Nonmembers $35
A Geologic Tour of the Pacific Ring of Fire
Making the Most of Your Memory
Volcanologist Kirt Kempter leads a fascinating geologic journey around the Pacific Ring of Fire, revealing why this Poás Volcano crater, central Costa Rica vast network of plate boundaries hosts most of Earth’s volcanoes and earthquakes. Using maps, photographs, diagrams, and Google Earth flyovers, he brings some of the world’s most dynamic landscapes to life. The series begins with an overview of plate tectonics and the powerful forces that create earthquakes, volcanoes, and mountain ranges such as the Andes and Rockies. The journey then explores the Ring of Fire’s western arc, focusing on New Zealand, Indonesia, and Japan, where interactions with the Pacific Plate generate intense volcanic and seismic activity. Finally, Kempter examines North, Central, and South America, where the Cocos, Nazca, and Pacific plates drive dramatic mountain building, volcanism, and earthquakes, shaping some of the planet’s most spectacular terrain. 3-session series: Mon., March 1–15, 7 p.m.; detailed program information on website; CODE 1NV-ROF; Members $75; Nonmembers $95
Are concerns arising about your memory or that of someone close to you? Many people want to better understand how memory works, how it can be supported, and whether declines can be delayed. Barry Gordon, an expert on memory and memory disorders, explains that humans possess multiple forms of memory, each with unique strengths and vulnerabilities. Gordon discusses which memory and cognitive abilities typically decline with age, which changes are often mistakenly attributed to aging, and which skills may improve over time. He reviews evidence-based interventions and lifestyle strategies that can enhance attention, thinking, and recall at any age while potentially lowering dementia risk. Gordon is professor of neurology and cognitive science at the Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions and founder of its Memory Clinic. Wed., March 31, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1M2-507; Members $30; Nonmembers $45
These programs are part of Smithsonian Associates
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You love art. Now go deeper. Art is all around us. It excites us, enriches our lives, and enlivens our imaginations. To truly appreciate any work of art, we need to understand the context and culture in which it was created. That’s why Smithsonian Associates offers a World Art History Certificate Program. Look for World Art History Certificate throughout the program guide to see current listings. Get started today and complete the certificate requirements at your own pace. Registration is ongoing; Credits are counted from day of registration and are not given retroactively.
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Unless noted, all programs are presented on Zoom; listed times are Eastern Time. Online registration is required.
Art-full Fridays | Live from Italy, with Elaine Ruffolo World Art History Certificate elective: Earn ½ credit for each Elaine Ruffolo, a Florence-based Renaissance art historian, examines the rich heritage of Italian art and architecture
Sacred Images
Daily Life in Renaissance Florence
The Christmas Story in Renaissance Art
The streets and public spaces of Renaissance Florence were lively settings for social encounters, business dealings, political debate, and everyday activity. Crowds moved through the bustle of commerce, healthcare, fashion, and festivals that united neighborhoods. Ruffolo leads a virtual stroll through the city’s streets, piazzas, and medieval alleyways, using Woodcut of Florence (detail), paintings and other works of art to 1493 reveal how ordinary Florentines lived, worked, shopped, and celebrated. She explores the challenges they faced and the roles of marriage, food, piety, and patronage in shaping daily experience, drawing connections between life more than 500 years ago and today.
The Christmas story has inspired some of the most affectionate, gentle, and intimate images in the history of Western art. They Adoration of the Shepherds by Domenico bring to life the account of Christ’s birth, Ghirlandaio first told in the New Testament gospels of Saint Matthew and Saint Luke. Equally beautiful are the paintings that depict the events leading up to and following Christ’s miraculous birth. How the biblical narrative was portrayed in Renaissance art dramatically evolved over time, mirroring changes in society and shifts in religious attitude. Its depiction moved from a narrow, sacred vision of mother and child to a full-blown cast of humans and animals extending into modern times. Ruffolo offers a lavishly illustrated exploration of the Christmas story as told through the period’s paintings. Fri., Dec. 18, 12 p.m.; CODE 1D0-191; Members $25; Nonmembers $35
Fri., Jan. 29, 12 p.m.; CODE 1D0-199; Members $25; Nonmembers $35
The Medici Women Power and Patronage in Renaissance Florence
Bernini and Borromini Geniuses of the Baroque The fierce rivalry between Gian Lorenzo Bernini and Francesco Borromini contributed to the extraordinary transformation of Rome in the 17th century. With Gian Lorenzo Francesco very different, almost Bernini Borromini irreconcilable personalities, they represented contrasting souls of Baroque art: Bernini was triumphant and spectacular, while Borromini was introverted and innovative. The unmistakable hallmarks of these two great artists, who challenged each other’s genius, remain visible in the buildings, fountains, and architectural vistas of Rome. Ruffolo explores the personalities, ambitions, patrons, and artistic achievements of these masters, revealing how their rivalry—and their radically different approaches to art and architecture—helped create the Rome we know today.
The rise of the Medici family from Cosimo the Elder’s ascent in 1434 to the accession of Duke Cosimo I in 1537 is well documented. Less familiar is the influential role played by Medici wives, daughters, and sisters who advanced the family’s ambitions and shaped Renaissance Florence. Notable figures include Contessina Contessina de' Bardi de' Bardi, Lucrezia Tornabuoni, Clarice Orsini, Eleonora di Toledo, and the Medici queens of France, Catherine and Marie. Through patronage, diplomacy, and extensive social networks, these women exercised power and cultivated the artistic, religious, literary, and architectural achievements associated with the Medici legacy. Ruffolo examines their contributions and lasting impact on Renaissance culture. Fri., March 5, 12 p.m.; CODE 1D0-206; Members $25; Nonmembers $35
Fri., Feb. 12, 12 p.m.; CODE 1D0-203; Members $25; Nonmembers $35
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Creative Writing Workshop
Write Into Art Creative Writing Inspired by Visual Art Discover how visual art can inspire creative writing and how writing can offer a powerful way to experience art. Join Mary Hall Surface, the founding instructor of the National Gallery of Art’s popular Writing Salon, for a range of online workshops that explore essential elements of writing and styles through close looking, word-sketching, and imaginative response to prompts. The sessions spotlight a diverse range of visual art chosen to inspire writers of all levels to deepen their process and practice. Each course has a limited enrollment to maximize interaction among the instructor and students. FEB 2 Develop the Details FEB 9 Play with Possibilities FEB 16 Capture the Heart FEB 23 Embody Memory
4-session series: Tues., Feb. 2–23, 10 a.m.; detailed program information on website; CODE 1K0-773; Members $160; Nonmembers $180 Individual sessions: Tues., Feb. 2 (CODE 1K0-774); Tues., Feb. 9 (CODE 1K0-775); Tues., Feb. 16 (CODE 1K0-776); Tues., Feb. 23 (CODE 1K0-777); 10 a.m.; detailed program information on website; Members $45; Nonmembers $55
Reflective Writing Workshops
Winter’s Wisdom A Reflective Writing Workshop
The Magpie by Claude Monet, 1869
The Railway by Edouard Manet, 1873
Inspired by Claude Monet’s The Magpie and poetry by Mary Oliver, explore the lessons that this season offers when we slow down, look closely and reflect.
Tues., Dec. 1, 10 a.m.; CODE 1K0-754; Members $45; Nonmembers $55
Designed for writers of all levels, and for the curious, these reflective writing workshos led by Mary Hall Surface invite you to look outwardly at art and look inwardly through writing. These reflections can become creative fertile ground for memoir, poetry, and more.
Looking Out, Looking In A Reflective Writing Workshop Step into the Expressionist paintings of the fascinating early 20th-century German artist Gabriele Münter. Slow down, look closely, and reflect as you explore the window as a metaphor for shifting perspectives in our lives.
Mary Hall Surface
Tues., Jan. 19, 10 a.m.; CODE 1K0-770; Members $45; Nonmembers $55
World Art History Certificate elective: Earn ½ credit
The Mosaics of Ravenna A Glittering Vision in Glass and Gold Once the capital of the Western Roman Empire, the Ostrogothic Kingdom, and the Byzantine Exarchate, Ravenna is renowned for its magnificent 5th- and 6th-century mosaics. Composed of glass, stone, and gold-leaf tesserae, these dazzling works reflect imperial ambitions, theological ideas, and exceptional Procession of the Virgin Martyrs craftsmanship. The city’s several UNESCO World Heritage monuments make Ravenna a key site for (detail), Basilica of Sant'Apollinare Nuovo understanding early Christian art and the development of mosaic decoration. In a richly illustrated lecture, Columbia University art historian Sophia D’Addio explores Ravenna’s artistic legacy, examining how its mosaics draw on earlier traditions while introducing innovative imagery and visual motifs. She also highlights the skilled artisans who created them and the powerful patrons whose commissions shaped this artistic achievement. Tues., Dec. 1, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1M2-487; Members $30; Nonmembers $45
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STUDIO ARTS
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World Art History Certificate elective: Earn ½ credit
World Art History Certificate elective: Earn ½ credit
The Irrepressible Rosa Bonheur
The Visual Language of Islamic Art
“The 19th Century’s Most Famous Woman Artist” An international celebrity in her lifetime, French animal painter Rosa Bonheur (1822–1899) became less familiar as modern art shifted toward abstraction, but her work is now being Ploughing in Nevers (detail) by rediscovered. The first Rosa Bonheur, 1849 woman awarded France’s Legion of Honor, Bonheur created realistic, anatomically precise images of animals that conveyed vitality and individuality. Dedicated to close observation, she studied animals in farms, zoos, and even Buffalo Bill Cody’s Wild West Show. Bonheur also challenged social conventions by wearing trousers, cutting her hair short, and smoking in public. Art historian Nancy G. Heller explores Bonheur’s life, artistic achievements, relationships to French and English animal painters, and the significance of her fiercely independent character and impact. Wed., Dec. 2, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1M2-488; Members $25; Nonmembers $35
World Art History Certificate elective: Earn ½ credit
BROOKLYN MUSEUM
ART ART
Mark Rothko’s Philosophy, Life, and Career “Silence is so accurate”
Mark Rothko, Yorktown Heights, ca. 1949 by Consuelo Kanaga
Mark Rothko (1903–1970) is one of the most celebrated and misunderstood artists of the modern era. At age 10, he immigrated to America from Russia with little more than the Buster Brown suit he wore, an experience that deepened his sense of being an outsider. That feeling
shaped both his life and his art. From the late 1940s onward, Rothko created luminous Abstract Expressionist paintings and carefully conceived environments that he believed could help viewers confront “basic human emotions.” Yet Rothko grew frustrated that many people admired his paintings mainly for their decorative beauty rather than the profound emotional experience he hoped they would inspire. Art historian Matthew Palczynski explores Rothko’s life and vision. Thurs., Dec. 3, 12 p.m.; CODE 1H0-932; Members $25; Nonmembers $35
Islamic art encompasses a variety of artistic traditions that have flourished across a vast geographic region from southern Spain and Roundel, 11th-century Iran North Africa to the islands of Southeast Asia. Museum consultant Sabiha Al Khemir provides an overview of Islamic art across a range of media, including calligraphy, painting, ceramics, metalwork, and textiles. Her survey explores the artistic principles and visual language of Islamic art within the cultural contexts in which it was produced, connecting the various aspects that are present throughout different media and highlighting artistic styles and their cultural significance. The program is illustrated with examples of work from public and private collections around the world. Tues., Dec. 1, 12 p.m.; CODE 1D0-188V; Members $20; Nonmembers $30
World Art History Certificate elective: Earn ½ credit
Lee Krasner and Jackson Pollock Art and Life in Abstract Expressionism Jackson Pollock’s name is synonymous with Abstract Expressionism, but, as art historian Jennie Hirsh Jackson Pollock and Lee Krasner by notes, the movement’s story cannot Rudy Burckhardt, 1950 be told without Lee Krasner, an accomplished artist whose creative achievements were long overshadowed by her relationship with Pollock. Hirsh follows their lives and work from their first meeting in New York through the years in which their personal and artistic paths intertwined. Drawing on the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s current exhibition “Krasner and Pollock: Past Continuous,” she examines how their art developed in dialogue, highlights Krasner’s significant career, and considers other women artists in the movement. Hirsh offers a full picture of the vibrant postwar New York art world and the figures who helped define American Modernism. Fri., Jan. 8, 12 p.m.; CODE 1D0-197; Members $20; Nonmembers $30
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ARCHIVES OF AMERICAN ART / SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION
HISTORY
HISTORY
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Lesser-Known Museums and Churches of Italy
STUDIO ARTS
TOURS
In this ongoing series, Renaissance art expert Rocky Ruggiero spotlights the significant collections of sometimes-overlooked museums and churches throughout Italy.
Palatine Chapel In the heart of Palermo, within the historic complex of the Palazzo dei Normanni, the Palatine Chapel stands as one of the most extraordinary monuments of medieval Europe. Commissioned in the 12th century by Roger II of Sicily, it represents a unique fusion Mosaic in the Palatine Chapel of Norman, Byzantine, Islamic, and Latin artistic traditions. Ruggiero highlights the chapel’s interior, where shimmering Byzantine mosaics depicting scenes from the Old and New Testaments cover the upper walls, set against richly carved wooden ceilings executed in the intricate muqarnas style of Islamic art.
JOSÉ LUIZ BERNARDES RIBEIRO / CC BY-SA 4.0
World Art History Certificate elective: Earn ½ credit for each
Built in Umbria during the 13th century, the Basilica of San Francesco of Assisi serves as both St. Francis of Assisi’s burial shrine and a landmark in the evolution of Western painting. Nave of the upper basilica The basilica comprises two churches, the Upper and Lower Churches, and houses fresco cycles that mark a pivotal shift from the flat, symbolic style of medieval art toward the naturalism and emotional depth that would define the Renaissance. Ruggiero explores the Upper Church’s nave, where frescoes attributed to Giotto depict the life of St. Francis with striking spatial depth and human emotion. Mon., Jan. 11, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1J0-601; Members $30; Nonmembers $45
Basilica of San Clemente
Palazzo Te
The Basilica of San Clemente is one of Rome’s most remarkable palimpsests, a building where nearly 2,000 years of history sit stacked one atop the other. The 12th-century basilica stands above a 4th-century church, which itself was built over a 1stcentury Roman house and a Mithraeum, a subterranean temple to the god Mithras. Ruggiero descends through these layers, revealing how each era built upon, and sometimes buried, the one before it.
The Palazzo Te in Mantua is one of the Italian Renaissance’s boldest architectural statements, a 16th-century pleasure palace built for the sole purpose of impressing and delighting. Ruggiero walks through the palazzo room by room, from the illusionistic frescoes of the Sala dei Cavalli, where horses seem to stand in painted niches, to the vertigo-inducing Sala dei Giganti, where the fall of the giants spirals across walls and ceiling with no visible break between them. Mon., March 15, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1J0-616; Members $30; Nonmembers $45 FRDR / CC BY-SA 4.0
LABICANENSE/ CC BY-SA 4.0
Mon., Dec. 7, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1J0-593; Members $30; Nonmembers $45
Basilica of San Francesco of Assisi
Mon., Feb. 22, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1J0-611; Members $30; Nonmembers $45
Basilica of San Clemente
Palazzo Te, Mantua
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HISTORY
CULTURE
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ART ART
STUDIO ARTS
TOURS
World Art History Certificate elective: Earn ½ credit
Venice’s Artistic Revolution Around 1500, when many feared the world would end, Venice reached the height of its economic and cultural power, surpassing Florence as the wealthiest city in the West. Its unique position on water made it healthier and more secure than other European cities, while its humid atmosphere, distinctive light, and access to prized Eastern The Miracle of the Cross at pigments fostered a revolution in painting. the Bridge of San Lorenzo At the center stood the Bellini family, especially Giovanni Bellini, whose innovations in oil-based color transformed by Gentile Bellini, 1500 Venetian art. His influence shaped Giorgione and the seven-decade career of Titian, whose expressive brushwork helped establish oil painting as Europe’s dominant medium. Yet the city’s peak concealed decline, as trade and artistic leadership shifted north to Antwerp and Amsterdam. In a richly illustrated program, art historian Nigel McGilchrist explores the rise and fall of Venice’s artistic revolution. Tues., Dec. 8, 12 p.m.; CODE 1M2-491; Members $30; Nonmembers $45
RONALD BUCK / CC BY-SA 4.0
World Art History Certificate elective: Earn ½ credit per session
Contemporary Architecture: Global Vision Zaha Hadid, Renzo Piano, and Tadao Ando Around the world, pioneering architects are transforming skylines and reimagining the spaces we inhabit. In an era of rapid technological advancement and evolving cities, contemporary architecture has challenged traditional ideas about what buildings can be and how they shape lives. In a three-session series, art historian Jennie Hirsh explores the groundbreaking work of architects with distinctly different visions who have expanded the possibilities of design and reshaped the way the built environment is experienced. DEC 10 Zaha Hadid JAN 14 Renzo Piano FEB 11 Tadao Ando
Messner Mountain Museum of Kronplatz by Zaha Hadid
3-session series: Thurs., Dec. 10, Jan. 14, and Feb. 11, 6:45 p.m.; detailed program information on website; CODE 1D0-194; Members $75; Nonmembers $95 Individual sessions: Thurs., Dec. 10 (CODE 1D0-194A); Thurs., Jan. 14 (CODE 1D0-194B); Thurs., Feb. 11 (CODE 1D0-194C); 6:45 p.m.; Members $30; Nonmembers $40
World Art History Certificate elective: Earn ½ credit
World Art History Certificate core course: Earn 1 credit
Rembrandt and the Dutch Golden Age Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn is one of the most important masters of the Dutch Golden Age. Art historian Joseph Paul Cassar presents a chronological framework for studying Rembrandt’s vast The Night Watch (detail) by Rembrandt, 1642 output: his time as a young, ambitious prodigy in his hometown; his early success as a portraitist; the height of his societal and financial peak, culminating in his famous work The Night Watch; his years of hardship and more introspective work; and his poignant final years. Special attention is given to masterpieces such as The Anatomy Lesson of Dr. Nicolaes Tulp, Danaë, and The Night Watch in addition to the artist’s series of commissioned portraits. Cassar discusses Rembrandt’s works within the historical context of the time, outlining his legacy in painting, drawing, and etching. Fri., Dec. 11, 12 p.m.; CODE 1K0-758; Members $30; Nonmembers $45
How Western Art Developed From Antiquity Through the Middle Ages Banquet scene in a fresco from Herculaneum, Italy
From prehistoric cave paintings and the monuments of the ancient world to the churches and cathedrals of medieval Europe, artists created works that reflected the beliefs, values, and societies of their time while establishing traditions that continue to influence art today. Art historian Janetta Rebold Benton offers a broad overview of the major works of architecture, sculpture, and painting created in the Western tradition before the Renaissance, from prehistoric art and the ancient world through early Christian, Byzantine, and medieval traditions, exploring how historical, social, and religious forces influence these masterpieces. This survey of artistic developments continues with The History of Western Art: Renaissance to the Present in spring 2027. 2-session series: Sat., Dec. 12 and 19, 1 p.m.; detailed program information on website; CODE 1D0-192; Members $100; Nonmembers $125 DECEMBER 2026 SMITHSONIAN ASSOCIATES
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HISTORY
CULTURE
SCIENCE
ART ART
STUDIO ARTS
TOURS
World Art History Certificate elective: Earn ½ credit
Scandinavian Design Clean, minimal, and warm, Scandinavian design has become synonymous with timeless modern living. Emerging across the Nordic countries during the first half of the 20th century, the movement championed simplicity, craftsmanship, and the belief that good design should enhance everyday life. With its close connection to nature, respect for craftsmanship, and the Danish concept of hygge—or coziness— Scandinavian design embraces warmth, comfort, and thoughtful composition. Arne Jacobsen, 1968 Art historian Jennie Hirsh examines the cultural forces behind its rise and explores the pioneering work of designers such as Alvar Aalto, Arne Jacobsen, Hans Wegner, Finn Juhl, Verner Panton, and Poul Henningsen, revealing how their innovative approaches helped establish Scandinavian design as a global phenomenon whose influence remains as strong today as ever. Wed., Dec. 16, 12 p.m.; CODE 1D0-189; Members $20; Nonmembers $30
Understanding Greek Art and Civilization Why are Greek art and civilization still studied today and why do they Greek coin depicting retain a profound impact on the Athena, after 449 B.C.E. contemporary world? Art historian CLASSICAL NUMISMATIC GROUP, INC. CNGCOINS.COM Joseph Paul Cassar answers these questions by providing a comprehensive look at Greek civilization through its paintings, marble and bronze statuary, architecture, pottery, and coins. In a four-session course, Cassar closely examines some of the greatest marvels of Greek art to provide a deeper understanding of its importance from antiquity to today. 4-session series: Wed., Jan. 6–27, 10:30 a.m.; detailed program information on website; CODE 1K0-766; Members $100; Nonmembers $125
World Art History Certificate elective: Earn ½ credit
Art of the Trojan War One of the most famous epic narratives from classical mythology is that of the Trojan War, a battle waged for the possession of the most beautiful woman in the world, Helen. Pitting Greeks against Trojans, the war features countless heroes, like Achilles and Odysseus. In two sessions, art historian Renee Gondek recounts the story of the Trojan War, highlighting imagery and texts associated with its origins, the legendary event itself, and its aftermath. Gondek explores vases and sculpture from ancient Greece, such as the Sarpedon krater (detail), 515 B.C.E. famous Sarpedon krater by Euphronios, along with more modern representations of the Trojan War, like Nicolas Poussin’s Achilles on Skyros. 2-session series: Thurs., Jan. 14 and 28, 12 p.m.; CODE 1T0104; Members $60; Nonmembers $80
TILL NIERMANN / CC BY-SA 3.0
World Art History Certificate elective: Earn ½ credit
Breaking the Mold: Auguste Rodin Auguste Rodin was a Janus-like figure, simultaneously looking backward and forward in time. His work links disparate figures like Michelangelo and Brancusi, bridging the gap between academic and avant-garde. As he famously quipped: “I invent nothing, I rediscover.” Art historian Matthew Palczynski examines what makes Rodin’s The Gates of Hell so legendary. He worked for 37 years on this monumental bronze sculptural relief, and his work contributed to the Modernist sculptural developments in the School of Paris during the first decade of the 20th century. Despite seldom using a chisel himself, Rodin became one of the most celebrated sculptors in the canon. Fri., Jan. 15, 12 p.m.; CODE 1H0-937; Members $25; Nonmembers $35 The Gates of Hell by Auguste Rodin, 1917
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ROLF MÜLLER
World Art History Certificate elective: Earn 1 credit
HISTORY
CULTURE
ART ART
SCIENCE
STUDIO ARTS
TOURS
World Art History Certificate elective: Earn 1 credit
Threads of Empire: The Art of Ottoman Textiles Ottoman Turkish textile art reflects the wealth, abundance, and influence of an empire that spanned seven centuries. Curator Sumru Belger Krody of the George Washington University Museum and the Textile Museum traces the stylistic evolution of Ottoman textile arts from when they took shape in the 15th century through their consolidation in the 19th century. Krody examines Turkish silk textiles, embroideries, and rugs, discussing the creative tension between tradition and innovation and explaining how the distinctive styles were created and extended beyond the courtly sphere into the village and nomadic weaving traditions of Anatolia.
Carpet fragment, Ottoman Empire, 17th century GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY MUSEUM AND THE TEXTILE MUSEUM
2-session series: Fri., Jan. 15 and 22, 2 p.m.; CODE 1W0-049; Members $60; Nonmembers $80
Fin-de-Siècle Vienna: Tilting the World Toward the New In this series, art historian David Gariff presents a portrait of a creatively vibrant city in its golden age, focusing on pivotal visual artists whose work reflected rapid cultural change. As the Austro-Hungarian Empire neared its end, fin-de-siècle Vienna experienced a cultural upheaval as artists broke from tradition to explore interpretations of music, art, and psychology.
Gustav Klimt and the Vienna Secession
The Art of Egon Schiele
Painter Gustav Klimt, leader of the Vienna Secession, is celebrated for his ornate and sensual style. Gariff explores Klimt’s accomplishments in the context of Vienna’s cultural ferment that included the works of Gustav Mahler, Sigmund Freud, Gustav Klimt, 1914 Oskar Kokoschka, and Klimt’s protégé Egon Schiele, revealing a moment of extraordinary innovation.
Egon Schiele was the younger protégé of the Secessionist painter Gustav Klimt. His artistic vision, however, focused less on the purely aesthetic and instead explored a new psychic language based on human sexuality and desire. Self-Portrait with Employing an aggressive and linear distortion Physalis (detail) by Egon Schiele, 1912 of color and form, Schiele’s work was both courageously personal and universally relevant to the social and cultural ferment that characterized European culture at the end of the 19th century. Gariff explores Schiele’s art and the culture that was upending the art world.
Sun., Jan. 17, 3 p.m.; CODE 1H0-938; Members $25; Nonmembers $35
LEOPOLD MUSEUM, VIENNA
World Art History Certificate elective: Earn ½ credit for each
Sun., Feb. 14, 3 p.m.; CODE 1H0-943; Members $25; Nonmembers $35
World Art History Certificate elective: Earn ½ credit
Seek and You Shall Find Leonardo’s Lost Battle of Anghiari In 1503, Leonardo da Vinci received a monumental commission for Florence’s Palazzo Vecchio: a mural depicting the city’s victory at the Battle of Anghiari. He chose its explosive climax—a tangle of horses and Rubens' 1603 drawing, after soldiers fighting for a standard—hailed by viewers. But Leonardo experimented with oil on a wax and resin Leonardo da Vinci's lost ground, and the upper sections refused to dry. The paint ran, and he abandoned the project in 1506. mural Battle of Anghiari Decades later, Giorgio Vasari covered Leonardo’s work with a fresco bearing the cryptic inscription cerca trova—seek and you will find. Art historian Laura Morelli traces the mural’s mystery from celebrated copies like Rubens’ drawing to scientific investigations and new research suggesting Leonardo may never have completed the painting at all. Fri., Jan. 22, 12 p.m.; CODE 1H0-926; Members $20; Nonmembers $30
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HISTORY
CULTURE
SCIENCE
ART ART
STUDIO ARTS
TOURS
World Art History Certificate core course: Earn 1 credit
World Art History Certificate elective: Earn ½ credit
From Rococo to Realism
Hendrick Avercamp’s Winter Wonderlands
Masters and Masterpieces of 18th- and 19th-Century European Painting The 18th and 19th centuries were complex and contradictory times, characterized by political revolution, industrialization, and social change throughout the Western world. These upheavals are reflected in the diverse approaches that contemporary visual artists took toward their work and the codification of—and rebellion The Swing (detail) by against—rules laid down by various Jean-Honoré Fragonard, 1767 royal academies of the fine arts. In a four-part series, art historian Nancy G. Heller focuses on the principal European cultural movements of the 1700s and early 1800s—Rococo, Neoclassicism, Romanticism, and Realism—as demonstrated in paintings by masters of the period. She also touches on parallel developments in European sculpture, architecture, literature, and music. 4-session series: Mon., Jan. 25–Thurs., Jan. 28, 6:30 p.m.; detailed program information on website; CODE 1M2-494; Members $100; Nonmembers $125
Hendrick Avercamp is one of the most distinctive painters of the Dutch Golden Age, known for his lively, detailed depictions of winter life in 17th-century Holland. Working during the Little Ice Age, when canals and rivers frequently froze, he transformed the cold season into scenes of energy, A Winter Scene with Skaters humor, and social interaction. His near a Castle (detail) by paintings are filled with skaters, Hendrick Avercamp, 1608 sledders, market stalls, and playful winter activities, bringing together people of all ages and social backgrounds. Art historian Mariska Beekenkamp-Wladimiroff explores Avercamp’s winter scenes within the wider development of European landscape painting, the rise of the genre in the Low Countries, and the cultural context of the Dutch Golden Age. Tues., Jan. 26, 12 p.m.; CODE 1J0-602; Members $20; Nonmembers $30
World Art History Certificate elective: Earn 1 credit
World Art History Certificate elective: Earn 1 credit
American Watercolorists of the Gilded Age
Women Artists of Latin America
For centuries, watercolor was treated as a medium for quick sketches and studies, not as an equal in aesthetic value to oil painting. By the mid-19th century, watercolor was beginning to gain respect as a form worthy of exhibition, awards, and collecting. A Sick Chicken (detail) by Winslow Homer, 1874 In America’s post-Civil War period, watercolor and its practitioners were likewise gaining ground. In 1866 the American Watercolor Society was founded to advance and promote its merits, and in the Gilded Age, the country produced many outstanding watercolorists. In a daylong program, art historian Bonita Billman offers a historical overview of the medium and examines the work of Gilded Age artists Winslow Homer, Childe Hassam, Maurice Prendergast, and John Singer Sargent.
Women artists were major contributors to the development of Latin American Modernism, creating their own innovative styles and often painting subjects that were distinct from those of their male counterparts. Art historian Michele Greet explores the lives, travels, and creative output of women artists working in Bolivia, Brazil, Cuba, Ecuador, Mexico, and Frida Kahlo, 1932 Peru. She reveals how these women participated in and reimagined the most experimental 20th-century art movements, including Cubism, Surrealism, and Abstraction.
Cubism, Surrealism, and Abstraction Reimagined
4-session series: Tues., Feb. 2–23, 12 p.m.; detailed program information on website; CODE 1J0-605; Members $100; Nonmembers $125
Sat., Jan. 30, 10 a.m.–3 p.m.; detailed program information on website; CODE 1M2-495; Members $80; Nonmembers $100
Read more about programs in this guide on our website. Search by code or date. Expanded program descriptions, presenters’ information, and more at SmithsonianAssociates.org.
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CULTURE
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ART ART
STUDIO ARTS
TOURS
World Art History Certificate elective: Earn ½ credit
Understanding Sculpture
David Drake, Edgefield Stoneware, and Industrial Slavery in the American South
In a 4-session course, art historian Joseph Paul Cassar provides a closer look at the art of sculpture. He begins with a definition of the art form and provides an analysis of varying techniques, including the contrasts between modeling and carving. He turns to a historical outline of sculpture, examining the kouros and the kore and other early representations of the nude human figure before moving forward to Michelangelo Buonarotti, Gian Lorenzo Bernini, Antonio Canova, and Rodin. He The Pietà (detail) by also discusses modern sculptors Michelangelo including Sir Jacob Epstein, Constantin Brancusi, Alexander Calder, and David Smith. 4-session series: Wed., Feb. 3–24, 10:30 a.m.; CODE 1K0778; detailed information on website; Members $100; Nonmembers $125
STANISLAV TRAYKOV /CC BY 3.0
World Art History Certificate elective: Earn 1 credit
Over the past decade, renewed scholarship and discoveries have sparked fresh interest in the 19th-century stoneware of South Carolina’s Edgefield District, Storage jar by potter David Drake especially the work of enslaved potter and poet David “Dave” Drake. Produced largely through enslaved labor, Edgefield stoneware was manufactured in great quantities and used throughout the South. Adrienne Spinozzi, associate curator at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, examines this tradition through Drake’s signed and dated storage jars, utilitarian wares, and enigmatic face vessels. Her work explores how new research and interpretive approaches are reshaping understanding of these objects and their makers. Wed., Feb. 3, 12 p.m.; CODE 1W0-055; Members $20; Nonmembers $30
World Art History Certificate elective: Earn ½ credit
World Art History Certificate elective: Earn 1 credit
Caravaggio Illuminated
Renaissance Italy
Before the invention of the electric light bulb, viewers found the dramatic religious works of Italian painter Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio much more variously and dynamically lit than they do today. The Caravaggio The Martyrdom of Saint Matthew Illumination Project by Caravaggio, ca. 1599–1600 studies how Caravaggio’s paintings of St. Matthew in the Contarelli Chapel at San Luigi dei Francesi in Rome were seen at different times of day, during different seasons, and under artificial as well as natural light. The project also reconstructs music composed for and performed in San Luigi, expanding the understanding of the multisensory atmosphere of the chapel. Gary Radke, founder and director of the project, offers a behind-the-scenes look at what has been learned about this artist and the journey to uncover the earliest experiences of viewing an original Caravaggio.
The Forces That Sparked an Artistic Revolution Multiple factors shaped the visual arts of the Italian Renaissance. The explosive growth of merchant wealth, the rediscovery of ancient texts and sculptures, and a new fascination with the ever-expanding world Cosimo di Medici all played parts. In this day-long seminar, art historian Aneta Georgievska-Shine explores the forces behind the extraordinary flowering of art in Renaissance Italy. By examining the revival of classical learning, the emergence of the artist as an intellectual, the impact of religious and secular patronage, and the shifting ideals that culminated in and ultimately challenged the High Renaissance, she reveals how a remarkable convergence of ideas and circumstances transformed the visual arts during the 15th and 16th centuries. Fri., Feb. 19, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.; detailed program information on website; CODE 1K0-785; Members $100; Nonmembers $125
Thurs., Feb. 18, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1H0-940; Members $25; Nonmembers $35
All Smithsonian Associates online programs are closed captioned
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CULTURE
SCIENCE
ART ART
STUDIO ARTS
TOURS
World Art History Certificate elective: Earn ½ credit
Beyond the Canvas The History of Performance Art Painting, sculpture, and photography are familiar forms of visual art, but what happens when the artwork unfolds in real time? Performance art transforms the artist’s body, actions, audience, and environment into the work itself. One of its most recognized examples is Marina Abramović’s 2010 Museum of Modern Art The Artist Is Present by Marina Abramović, 2010 performance The Artist Is Present, in which she silently engaged visitors through eye contact. Art historian Jennie Hirsh, co-editor of Ventriloquism, Performance, and Contemporary Art, traces the evolution of performance art from the avant-garde experiments of Italian Futurism and Dada to contemporary practice. She examines movements including Fluxus and Gutai; concepts such as body art and happenings; and artists including Abramović, Yoko Ono, Joseph Beuys, Laurie Anderson, and Ana Mendieta. Mon., Feb. 22, 12 p.m.; CODE 1D0-204; Members $20; Nonmembers $30
World Art History Certificate elective: Earn ½ credit
World Art History Certificate elective: Earn ½ credit
Amedeo Modigliani
William H. Johnson: Painting on the Periphery
A Distinctive and Captivating Style Arriving in Paris in 1912, Italian artist Amedeo Modigliani was part of a circle of young trailblazing artists including Pablo Picasso, Georges Braque, and Henri Matisse, each of whom made his own very modern art. Modigliani’s distinctive work, however, was unlike that of his fellow artists. Woman with a Fan His flat and elongated figures were (detail) by Amedeo misunderstood and excoriated. His lifestyle Modigliani, 1919 encouraged his compatriots to call him “le maudit”—the cursed one—since he was ill and poverty-stricken throughout his short life. Nevertheless, Modigliani left an important body of work, both paintings and sculpture. Art historian Bonita Billman examines the arc of Modigliani’s brief career and his role in the Paris avant-garde and discusses his figural subjects.
BERTHOLD WERNER / CC BY-SA 3.0
Wed., Feb. 24, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1M2-502; Members $25; Nonmembers $35
William H. Johnson (1901–1970) was a major American artist who painted in both Expressionist and primitive styles. Yet outside of scholars of African American art, Johnson remains less known than his contemporaries Aaron Douglas, Romare Bearden, and Lois Mailou Jones. These three artists are often associated with the Harlem Renaissance, while Johnson languishes on its periphery. Michele L. Simms-Burton, scholar of African American and Africana studies, explores the arc of Johnson’s career and the change in his style during the 1930s from landscape paintings to vibrant narrative paintings of country folk. The Smithsonian American Art Museum, Hampton University Museum, and the Museum of Modern Art include paintings by Johnson in William H. Johnson their collections. Thurs., Feb. 25, 12 p.m.; CODE 1J0-612; Members $20; Nonmembers $30
World Art History Certificate elective: Earn ½ credit
Discovering the Art and Architecture of Puglia Puglia, stretching along the heel of Italy’s boot, retains something from every culture that arrived on its rugged shores. Spartans founded a city here. Greek monks carved churches into ravines. Norman invaders built pilgrimage basilicas, and an emperor raised a mysterious octagonal castle. With its Paleolithic cave paintings and a distinctive Baroque style, Puglia is one of the richest artistic landscapes in Italy. Art historian Laura Morelli travels the length of the region, from Ice Age painted caves to the Trulli homes exuberant late-Baroque façades. She examines jewelry and monumental painted vases from the Greek centuries, frescoed churches hollowed into rock, a cathedral floor where King Arthur shares space with the zodiac, and the conical stone roofs of the whitewashed homes known as trulli. Fri., Feb. 26, 12 p.m.; CODE 1H0-942; Members $25; Nonmembers $35
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ANDREW RUSSETH/ CC BY-SA 3.0
HISTORY
HISTORY
CULTURE
SCIENCE
ART ART
STUDIO ARTS
TOURS
World Art History Certificate elective: Earn 1 credit
Cultural Heritage Sites of India From India’s elaborately decorated Ajanta Caves to the splendor of the Taj Mahal, UNESCO’s list of World Heritage Sites offers a spectacular window into South Asia’s past. Art historian Robert DeCaroli highlights historic palaces, grand temples, and royal mausoleums that showcase the subcontinent’s abundant historically and culturally significant destinations. 4-session series: Tues., March 9–30, 6:30 p.m.; detailed program information on website; CODE 1J0-613; Members $110; Nonmembers $135 Devi Jagadambi Temple, Khajuraho
World Art History Certificate elective: Earn ½ credit
American Impressionism In the late 19th century, many American painters found themselves captivated by the dazzling colors and the looser, vibrant brushwork of French Impressionism. Over time they embraced the movement’s novel approaches to painting modern life, ultimately developing American Impressionism to capture the intimate beauty of everyday life. Art historian Joseph Paul Cassar takes a close look at several of these artists, including Mary Cassatt, Childe Hassam, James McNeill Whistler, and John Singer Sargent to demonstrate how they broke with the traditional expectations of the academic movement and devoted themselves to depicting the natural world, becoming the first popular modern art movement in America.
Mary Cassatt, self-portrait (detail), 1880
World Art History Certificate elective: Earn ½ credit
World Art History Certificate elective: Earn 1 credit
The Artistic Virtuosity of Photorealism
Medieval England Through its Art and Archaeology
During the 1970s, when serious art was expected to be abstract, a group of New York-based artists moved in the opposite direction. The monumental portraits of Chuck Close, the gleaming urban scenes and motorcycle reflections Queen by Audrey Flack, of Richard Estes, and the richly 1976 RM MARTINO / SMITHSONIAN detailed still lifes of Audrey Flack LUCIA AMERICAN ART MUSEUM, GIFT OF LOUIS K. AND SUSAN P. MEISEL pushed realism to extraordinary heights. So precise were these paintings that they appeared indistinguishable from photographs, giving rise to the term Photorealism. Long admired for their technical brilliance, these works were often dismissed by critics as mere surface decoration. Recent scholarship, however, has uncovered deeper layers of meaning and renewed appreciation for the movement. Art historian Nancy G. Heller explores the leading Photorealist painters and their place in late 20th-century American art.
Historian Cheryl White, a specialist in medieval and early modern Europe, explores four of medieval England’s most significant artistic and archaeological treasures. Spanning the 7th through the 14th centuries, this full-day seminar examines defining points in the formation of English kingdoms, the development of monarchy, and the rise of the medieval Church. Canterbury Cathedral Through the treasures of the Sutton Hoo ship burial, the intricate artistry of the Lindisfarne Gospels, the historical narrative of the Bayeux Tapestry, and the grandeur of Canterbury Cathedral, White reveals how art and material culture illuminate England’s evolving identity, opening a window onto the social, political, religious, and cultural forces that shaped medieval England and left a mark on the nation’s history.
TONY HISGETT / CC BY 2.0
Wed., March 10, 10:30 a.m.; CODE 1K0-788; Members $30; Nonmembers $45
Sat., March 20, 10 a.m.–3 p.m.; detailed program information on website; CODE 1M2-506; Members $80; Nonmembers $100
Thurs., March 11, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1M2-505; Members $30; Nonmembers $45
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Fall Classes Last Chance to Register for these Classes ART THEORY AND PRACTICE
OTHER MEDIA
Color Theory and Chroma-psychology
Mosaic Jewelry
UT
O SOLD
Upcycled Aluminum Holiday Ornament INSTRUCTOR: Mïa Vollkommer ONLINE: Sat., Dec. 5, 12 p.m.; CODE 1E0-AQF; Members $70; Nonmembers $85
LORI VANKIRK SCHUE
INSTRUCTOR: Lori VanKirk Schue ONLINE: Thurs., Dec. 3, 1 p.m.; CODE 1E0-APW; Members $55; Nonmembers $70
INSTRUCTOR: Bonnie Fitzgerald ONLINE: Sat., Dec. 5, 10 a.m.; CODE 1E0-ANP; Members $75; Nonmembers $90
By Bonnie Fitzgerald By Mïa Vollkommer
MIXED MEDIA
Jazz It Up
Holiday Keepsake Ornaments
Holiday Cards Using Pointed-Pen Calligraphy
INSTRUCTOR: Sharon Robinson IN PERSON: Sun., Dec. 6, 11 a.m.; Ripley Center; CODE 1E0-ARH; Members $80; Nonmembers $95
INSTRUCTOR: Sharmila Karamchandani ONLINE: Sat., Dec. 5 and 12, 1:30 p.m.; CODE 1E0-ARA; Members $105; Nonmembers $130 By Sharmila Karamchandani
By Sharon Robinson
Read more about programs in this guide on our website. Search by code or date. Expanded program descriptions, presenters’ information, and more at SmithsonianAssociates.org.
Support Smithsonian Associates’ lifelong learning programs Unlike the museums, Smithsonian Associates is not federally funded and relies entirely on donations and essential membership support to bridge the gap between program expenses and registration revenue. If the joy of learning enriches your life, please consider a charitable gift in support of the vibrant educational experiences that open the Smithsonian's world of knowledge to audiences across the country.
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WINTER ART THEORY AND PRACTICE
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Art Journaling for Self-Expression INSTRUCTOR: Carter Umhau IN PERSON: Wed., Jan. 20–Feb. 24, 10:30 a.m.; Ripley Center; CODE 1E0-ASD; Members $190; Nonmembers $225
Artful Mind, Tranquil Mind
Developing Your Sketchbook
INSTRUCTOR: Sushmita Mazumdar ONLINE: Mon., Jan. 25–March 1, 12 p.m., no class Feb. 15; CODE 1E0-AUG; Members $160; Nonmembers $195
INSTRUCTOR: Lori VanKirk Schue ONLINE: Thurs., Feb. 18, 1 p.m.; CODE 1E0-ATC; Members $55; Nonmembers $70
Color Theory and Practice INSTRUCTOR: Theresa Otteson ONLINE: Tues., Jan. 26–Feb. 16, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1E0-AUK; Members $165; Nonmembers $190
ONLINE ONLINE
Poetry and Art Club INSTRUCTOR: Kate Lewis ONLINE: Tues., Jan. 19, Feb. 9, and March 2, 10:30 a.m.; CODE 1E0-ASY; Members $160; Nonmembers $185
Painting in the Key of Color A Streamlined Approach to Color in Painting INSTRUCTOR: Nick Cruz Velleman ONLINE: Sun., Feb. 28, 10 a.m.; CODE 1E0-ATP; Members $60; Nonmembers $75
Studio Arts classes are taught by professional artists and teachers. View detailed class descriptions and supply lists at SmithsonianAssociates.org/studio
DRAWING
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Beginning Drawing INSTRUCTOR: George Tkabladze TWO IN-PERSON OPTIONS: Tues., Jan. 12– March 2, 10:30 a.m. (CODE 1E0-ASL); Tues., Jan. 12–March 2, 2 p.m. (CODE 1E0ASM); Ripley Center; Members $275; Nonmembers $310
Observation and Perception: Unlocking the Skill of Drawing INSTRUCTOR: Shahin Talishkhan TWO IN-PERSON OPTIONS: Wed., Jan. 13– March 3, 6 p.m. (CODE 1E0-ATT); Sun., Jan. 17–March 7, 2:30 p.m. (CODE 1E0-ATX); Ripley Center; Members $265; Nonmembers $300
Figure Drawing INSTRUCTOR: Shahin Talishkhan IN PERSON: Sat., Jan. 16–March 6, 2:30 p.m.; Ripley Center; CODE 1E0-ATV; Members $280; Nonmembers $315
Beginning Drawing INSTRUCTOR: Josh Highter ONLINE: Tues., Jan. 12–March 2, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1E0ASV; Members $260; Nonmembers $295
World Art History Certificate elective: Earn ½ credit
Shadows First An Alternative Approach to Drawing Portraits INSTRUCTOR: Nick Cruz Velleman ONLINE: Wed., Jan. 13–Feb. 3, 10 a.m.; CODE 1E0ATM; Members $165; Nonmembers $190
NEW CLASSES
Drawing Heads and Hands Learn to draw and paint two of the most expressive elements of human anatomy: the head and the hands. Students acquire and practice skills in the use of graphite, ink, and black water media. INSTRUCTOR: Amy Dapice ONLINE: Tues., Jan. 12–Feb. 16, 7 p.m.; CODE 1E0-AUM; Members $180; Nonmembers $215 By Amy Dapice
Creating Value and Texture with Pen Learn to make your drawings stand out by creating values with pen. Explore different types of tools and marks to create a huge range of light, dark, and everything in between. INSTRUCTOR: Desarae Lee ONLINE: Wed., Feb. 10 and 17, 7:15 p.m.; CODE 1E0-ASH; Members $95; Nonmembers $120
ONLINE ONLINE
World Art History Certificate elective: Earn ½ credit
Drawing Light and How the Masters Did It INSTRUCTOR: Nick Cruz Velleman ONLINE: Tues., Jan. 12–Feb. 9, 10 a.m.; CODE 1E0-ATL; Members $185; Nonmembers $220
By Desarae Lee
See videos, class photos, and meet students on
facebook.com/smithsonianstudioarts
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WINTER LORI VANKIRK SCHUE
NEW CLASS
Masters and Mediums: Illuminated Manuscripts Delve into the world of illuminated manuscripts as you learn about their traditional creators and the processes they used. Explore how to carry on this artform with modern materials and techniques. INSTRUCTOR: Lori VanKirk Schue ONLINE: Thurs., Feb. 4, 1 p.m.; CODE 1E0-ATB; Members $55; Nonmembers $70
World Art History Certificate elective: Earn ½ credit
The Mark of van Gogh INSTRUCTOR: Nick Cruz Velleman ONLINE: Thurs., Jan. 14–Feb. 4, 10 a.m.; CODE 1E0-ATN; Members $165; Nonmembers $190
Creating with Chalk Pastels INSTRUCTOR: Lori VanKirk Schue ONLINE: Thurs., Jan. 14 and 21, 1 p.m.; CODE 1E0-ATA; Members $105; Nonmembers $130
The Simplified Figure
Drawing Techniques
INSTRUCTOR: Amy Dapice ONLINE: Wed., Jan. 13–Feb. 17, 7 p.m.; CODE 1E0-AUN; Members $175; Nonmembers $210
Perspective INSTRUCTOR: Desarae Lee ONLINE: Thurs., Feb. 25 and March 4, 7:15 p.m.; CODE 1E0-ASJ; Members $95; Nonmembers $120 By Amy Dapice
PAINTING
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Jump into Acrylics
World Art History Certificate elective: Earn ½ credit
INSTRUCTOR: Carolyn Marshall Wright IN PERSON: Sat., Jan. 23, 10:30 a.m.; Ripley Center; CODE 1E0-ASB; Members $135; Nonmembers $150
From Impressionism to Abstraction A Survey of Techniques and Ideas INSTRUCTOR: Shahin Talishkhan IN PERSON: Wed., Jan. 13–March 3, 2 p.m.; Ripley Center; CODE 1E0-ATS; Members $285; Nonmembers $320
Intermediate Oil Painting INSTRUCTOR: Shahin Talishkhan IN PERSON: Sat., Jan. 16–March 6, 10:15 a.m.; Ripley Center; CODE 1E0-ATU; Members $295; Nonmembers $330
An Introduction to Watercolor: Loose and Beautiful INSRUCTOR: Lubna Zahid IN PERSON: Sat., Feb. 6, 10:15 a.m.; Ripley Center; CODE 1E0-AUL; Members $140; Nonmembers $165
NEW CLASS
Expand Your Skills in Acrylic Painting This one-day workshop is designed to increase proficiency and confidence in working with acrylics. Expand your skills as you focus on studying and painting a still life. INSTRUCTOR: Carolyn Marshall Wright IN PERSON: Sat., Feb. 27, 10:30 a.m.; Ripley Center; CODE 1E0-ASC; Members $135; Nonmembers $150
By Carolyn Marshall Wright
Beginning Oil Painting INSTRUCTOR: Shahin Talishkhan IN PERSON: Sun., Jan. 17–March 7, 10:15 a.m.; Ripley Center; CODE 1E0-ATW; Members $285; Nonmembers $320
ONLINE ONLINE
Painting Water in Landscapes and Seascapes
Still Life in Oil
INSTRUCTOR: Lubna Zahid ONLINE: Tues., Jan. 12–March 2, 10 a.m.; CODE 1E0-ATD; Members $280; Nonmembers $315
INSTRUCTOR: Michelle Cobb ONLINE: Tues., Jan. 12–Feb. 9, 1 p.m.; CODE 1E0-ATK; Members $195; Nonmembers $220
Exploring Color Through Observation
By Shahin Talishkhan
Studio Arts classes are taught by professional artists and teachers. View detailed class descriptions and supply lists at SmithsonianAssociates.org/studio
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WINTER Paint Nature’s Little Creatures in Watercolor INSTRUCTOR: Lubna Zahid ONLINE: Tues., Jan. 12–March 2, 5 p.m.; CODE 1E0-ATE; Members $280; Nonmembers $315
Landscape Painting from Photos INSTRUCTOR: Eric Westbrook ONLINE: Wed., Jan. 13–Feb. 17, 7 p.m.; CODE 1E0-ASK; Members $225; Nonmembers $260
Simply Start Painting Watercolors Introduction to Watercolor INSTRUCTOR: Josh Highter TWO ONLINE OPTIONS: Wed., Jan. 13–March 3, 10:30 a.m. (CODE 1E0-ASW); Sun., Jan. 17– March 7, 10:30 a.m. (CODE 1E0-ASX); Members $270; Nonmembers $305
INSTRUCTOR: Cindy Briggs ONLINE: Tues., Jan. 19–Feb. 2, 6 p.m.; CODE 1E0-ASE; Members $190; Nonmembers $215
World Art History Certificate elective: Earn ½ credit
Principles of Abstraction INSTRUCTOR: Shahin Talishkhan ONLINE: Thurs., Jan. 21–Feb. 25, 6 p.m.; CODE 1E0-ATY; Members $240; Nonmembers $275
Beginning Oil Painting INSTRUCTOR: Theresa Otteson ONLINE: Mon., Jan. 25–Feb. 22, 6:30 p.m., no class Feb. 15; CODE 1E0-AUJ; Members $165; Nonmembers $190
NEW CLASSES
Scotland’s Woven Watercolor Landscapes The Highlands, Loch Lomond, and cozy cottages await your paintbrush in this class. Experience how to create a tapestry of Scotland's colors on your watercolor paper by using an interplay of warm and cool colors. INSTRUCTOR: Cindy Briggs ONLINE: Thurs., Feb. 18 and 25, 6 p.m.; CODE 1E0-ASF; Members $135; Nonmembers $150
By Theresa Otteson
MIXED MEDIA
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IN PERSON
By Cindy Briggs
IN PERSON
Watercolor Quick-Sketch for a Day in Provence
Paper, Paint, and Scissors
Spend the day discovering how to capture your travels with flowing lines and painterly colors. You paint landscapes and village scenery from Provence while learning about a wide range of techniques. INSTRUCTOR: Cindy Briggs ONLINE: Sat., Feb. 27, 10 a.m.; CODE 1E0-ASG; Members $140; Nonmembers $165
INSTRUCTOR: Sharon Robinson IN PERSON: Sat., Jan. 16–Feb. 6, 1 p.m.; Ripley Center; CODE 1E0-AUC; Members $145; Nonmembers $170
Romare Bearden and the Language of Collage Memory, Visual Storytelling, and Mixed Media
By Cindy Briggs
INSTRUCTOR: Sandra Gobar IN PERSON: Sun., Jan. 31–Feb. 21, 10:15 a.m.; Ripley Center; CODE 1E0-ATR; Members $155; Nonmembers $180
An Introduction to Limited Palettes Less is more in this watercolor workshop centered on how constraint can sharpen perception. Through practice exercises using monochromatic and two-color palettes, address common challenges in observation and color use. INSTRUCTOR: Nick Cruz Velleman ONLINE: Sun., March 7, 10 a.m.; CODE 1E0-ATQ; Members $60; Nonmembers $75
Exploring Alcohol Inks INSTRUCTOR: Sharon Robinson IN PERSON: Sun., Feb. 7–21, 1 p.m.; Ripley Center; CODE 1E0-AUD; Members $130; Nonmembers $155
By Nick Cruz Velleman
Gel Plate Journey Read more about programs in this guide on our website. Search by code or date. Expanded program descriptions, presenters’ information, and more at SmithsonianAssociates.org.
INSTRUCTOR: Sharon Robinson IN PERSON: Tues., Feb. 9–March 2, 6:30 p.m.; Ripley Center; CODE 1E0-AUB; Members $150; Nonmembers $175
Studio Arts classes are taught by professional artists and teachers. View detailed class descriptions and supply lists at SmithsonianAssociates.org/studio
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WINTER ONLINE ONLINE
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Image Transfers and Altered Photos
FIBER ARTS ONLINE ONLINE
IN PERSON
IN PERSON
INSTRUCTOR: Sharon Robinson ONLINE: Tues., Jan. 12–26, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1E0-AUE; Members $130; Nonmembers $155
Landscapes in Collage and Mixed Media INSTRUCTOR: Marcie Wolf-Hubbard ONLINE: Wed., Jan. 27–March 3, 1:30 p.m.; CODE 1E0-ATF; Members $175; Nonmembers $210
Quiltmaking for the Non-perfectionist
Beginning Tapestry Weaving INSTRUCTOR: Tea Okropiridze IN PERSON: Tues., Jan. 19–March 2, 6 p.m.; Ripley Center; CODE 1E0-AUH; Members $190; Nonmembers $225
INSTRUCTOR: Lauren Kingsland ONLINE: Wed., Jan. 20– Feb. 10, 3 p.m.; CODE 1E0ASZ; Members $130; Nonmembers $155
Knitting for Beginners INSTRUCTOR: Ann Richards IN PERSON: Wed., Jan. 27–March 3, 6:30 p.m.; Ripley Center; CODE 1E0-ARW; Members $165; Nonmembers $200
Altered Books INSTRUCTOR: Marcie Wolf-Hubbard ONLINE: Wed., Jan. 27–March 3, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1E0-ATG; Members $175; Nonmembers $210
By Lauren Kingsland
Fair Isle Knitting INSTRUCTOR: Ann Richards ONLINE: Sat., Jan. 23–Feb. 13, 1 p.m.; CODE 1E0ARX; Members $120; Nonmembers $145
OTHER MEDIA
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IN PERSON NEW CLASSES
Pocket Mosaics Transform a small hinged tin into a one-of-a-kind keepsake using colorful smalti, stained glass, millefiori, filati, and tiny pebbles. INSTRUCTOR: Bonnie Fitzgerald IN PERSON: Sat., Feb. 27, 10:15 a.m.; Ripley Center; CODE 1E0-ARZ; Members $110; Nonmembers $125
Introduction to Jewelry Making Workshop
By Bonnie Fitzgerald
ONLINE
Introduction to White-Line Woodblock Printing INSTRUCTOR: Sue Fierston ONLINE: Sat., Jan. 16, 10 a.m.; CODE 1E0-AUF; Members $65; Nonmembers $80
The Art of Floral Design INSTRUCTOR: Arrin Sutliff ONLINE: Wed., Jan. 20–Feb. 24, 7:30 p.m.; CODE 1E0-ARY; Members $160; Nonmembers $195
This 3-hour introductory workshop begins with an overview of essential jewelry-making tools and techniques, including wire wrapping and bead assembly. You then create a pair of earrings and your choice of a necklace or bracelet. INSTRUCTOR: Ana Tkabladze IN PERSON: Wed., March 3, 6 p.m.; Ripley Center; CODE 1E0-AUQ; Members $105; Nonmembers $120
NEW CLASS
Love Notes Handcrafted Cards for Valentine’s Day For Valentine's Day, express your love by gifting a handcrafted mixed-media card that is one of a kind. You learn a few basic paper-engineering and collaging techniques to create your card. INSTRUCTOR: Sharmila Karamchandani ONLINE: Sat., Jan. 23 and 30, 1:30 p.m.; CODE 1E0-ATZ; Members $105; Nonmembers $130
Carve and Create Wirework Intensive: Rings INSTRUCTOR: Mïa Vollkommer ONLINE: Sun., Jan. 24–Feb. 7, 12:30 p.m.; CODE 1E0-ATH; Members $195; Nonmembers $220
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By Ana Tkabladze
Learning to Love Linocuts INSTRUCTOR: Kathy Beachler ONLINE: Thurs., Jan. 28–Feb. 25, 6 p.m., no class Feb. 11; CODE 1E0-AUP; Members $150; Nonmembers $175
By Sharmila Karamchandani
Studio Arts classes are taught by professional artists and teachers. View detailed class descriptions and supply lists at SmithsonianAssociates.org/studio
HISTORY
CULTURE
SCIENCE
ART
STUDIO ARTS STUDIO ARTS
TOURS
WINTER
Introduction to Italic Hand Calligraphy INSTRUCTOR: Sharmila Karamchandani ONLINE: Sat., Feb. 6–27, 1:30 p.m.; CODE 1E0AUA; Members $145; Nonmembers $170
AMAAL YOUNES
Read more about programs in this guide on our website. Search by code or date. Expanded program descriptions, presenters’ information, and more at SmithsonianAssociates.org.
Bead Weaving: On and Off the Loom INSTRUCTOR: Mïa Vollkommer ONLINE: Sun., Feb. 21–March 7, 12:30 p.m.; CODE 1E0-ATJ; Members $195; Nonmembers $220
Jeweled-Glass-and-Bead Mosaic Mirror
Introduction to Bookbinding
INSTRUCTOR: Bonnie Fitzgerald ONLINE: Tues., Feb. 16–March 2, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1E0-ASA; Members $135; Nonmembers $160
INSTRUCTOR: Amaal Younes ONLINE: Thurs., Feb. 18 and 25, 1:30 p.m.; CODE 1E0-AUS; Members $170 Nonmembers $195
The Sewn Book
By Mïa Vollkommer
PHOTOGRAPHY
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ONLINE
Photo 101
Introduction to Photography
Indoor Macro Photography
INSTRUCTOR: Joe Yablonsky ONLINE: Thurs., Feb. 11–March 4, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1E0-ASU; Members $160; Nonmembers $185
INSTRUCTOR: Andargé Asfaw TWO IN-PERSON OPTIONS: Tues., Jan. 12– March 2, 3 p.m. (CODE 1E0-ARU); Tues., Jan. 12–March 2, 6:30 p.m. (CODE 1E0-ARV); Ripley Center; Members $255; Nonmembers $290
On-Location Photography INSTRUCTOR: Joe Yablonsky IN PERSON: Sun., Jan. 24–March 7, no class Feb. 7, 1:45 p.m.; Ripley Center; CODE 1E0ASP; Members $205; Nonmembers $240
ONLINE
INSTRUCTOR: Joe Yablonsky ONLINE: Thurs., Jan. 14 and 21, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1E0-AUR; Members $90; Nonmembers $115
Night Photography in Washington, D.C.
Capturing Winter Scenes INSTRUCTOR: Joe Yablonsky ONLINE: Thurs., Jan. 28 and Feb. 4, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1E0-AST; Members $90; Nonmembers $115
INSTRUCTOR: Joe Yablonsky ONLINE: Mon., Feb. 22 and March 1, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1E0-ASR; Members $90; Nonmembers $115 (Note: The first session of this class is conducted on Zoom, and the second session is in person in Washington, D.C.)
Black-and-White Analogue Photography INSTRUCTOR: Joe Yablonsky ONLINE: Mon., Feb. 1 and 8, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1E0-ASQ; Members $90; Nonmembers $115
By Joe Yablonsky By Joe Yablonsky
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ININ PERSON PERSON
Figure Sculpture INSTRUCTOR: George Tkabladze IN PERSON: Tues., Jan. 12–March 2, 6 p.m.; Ripley Center; CODE 1E0-ASN; Members $325; Nonmembers $360
LINDA RUBENSTEIN
SCULPTURE
Studio Arts classes are taught by professional artists and teachers. View detailed class descriptions and supply lists at SmithsonianAssociates.org/studio
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Overnight Tours 2027
Associates’ study tours are created for travelers who want more than a simple getaway: They offer one‑of‑a‑kind experiences enriched by opportunities to deepen your understanding of the subjects that fascinate you. Whether your passions include history, art, nature, or architecture—or you simply love discovering new places—these expert‑led excursions promise a year filled with tempting travels. New adventures range from historic Virginia sites to gardens where sculptures bloom among the flowers; an exceptional Ivy League campus; and a Midwestern landscape that
A Year of Enriching Journeys Note: All tour dates and content are subject to change.
inspired a celebrated novelist. By popular demand, several favorite destinations return, including the Corning Museum of Glass, Frank Lloyd Wright’s Buffalo, and young Theodore Roosevelt’s Dakota Territory. And you can look ahead to a warm winter exploration of Florida through the lenses of architecture, history, and design in the 2028 return of a sellout tour. Most tours depart from Washington, D.C. Several meet on site, with participants arranging their own travel—making it easy to join from anywhere.
NEW The Best of Brooklyn
Calder Gardens and Grounds for Sculpture
Sun., Jan. 24–Mon., Jan. 25 (on sale, see p. 54)
Sun., April 4–Mon., April 5 (on sale, see p. 57)
Thurs., May 20–Fri., May 21 (on sale Jan. 1)
Immerse yourself in the bold ideas, revolutionary artists, and groundbreaking movements that transformed modern and contemporary art at the Whitney Museum of American Art, the Museum of Modern Art, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Leader: Nancy Hirshbein
Brooklyn offers plenty of delights for lovers of art, music, nature, and food. An arts journalist and former Brooklynite introduces several of its top attractions. Leader: Richard Selden
From Alexander Calder’s whimsical mobiles to monumental sculptures nestled among gardens, art comes to life in two remarkable settings. Visit Philadelphia’s Calder Gardens, where art, nature, and architecture converge, then take in New Jersey’s Grounds for Sculpture, where sculpture and landscape meet in surprising ways. Leader: Ursula Wolfman SALLY WILSON / CC BY-SA 2.0
A Trio of Modern Museum Gems
NEW Virginia’s Historic Triangle: Jamestown, Williamsburg, and Yorktown Sun., March 14–Tues., March 16 (on sale, see p. 56) Journey through Jamestown, Williamsburg, and Yorktown to experience pivotal chapters in America’s early history. Explore notable sites and rarely seen collections while uncovering the people, ideas, and conflicts that shaped a nation. Leader: Denver Brunsman
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Chincoteague and Assateague: The Beauty of Nature Sun., April 25–Mon., April 26 (on sale, see p. 57) Chincoteague and Assateague are home to more than just wild horses— the islands are rich with history and unique flora and fauna ready for exploration. Leader: Liana Vitali
The Corning Museum of Glass Wed., July 14–Sat., July 17 (on sale Jan. 1) This glass-lover’s dream tour offers an insider’s experience at the renowned museum, including many curator-conducted sessions. Leader: Joe Toole
NEW
FDR and Hyde Park
A Berkshires Summer Sampler
Willa Cather’s Red Cloud
Fall 2027
Late July (on sale Feb. 1)
Thurs., Sept. 9–Sun., Sept. 12 (on sale April 1)
Explore the life and legacy of Franklin D. Roosevelt at his Hyde Park, New York, home, presidential library, and museum, where the story of his presidency comes vividly to life. The journey also includes a special visit to the Culinary Institute of America, adding a taste of the Hudson Valley’s rich culinary tradition. Leader: Bill Keene
The scenic and historic Berkshire hills of western Massachusetts are alive with music, art, and theater. A five-day tour offers a splendid sampling of cultural attractions in the region. Leader: Richard Selden
Follow in Willa Cather’s footsteps through Red Cloud, Nebraska, the small-town landscape that inspired her celebrated fiction. Explore her childhood home, literary landmarks, and the Great Plains that shaped some of America’s most enduring literature. (Meets on site) Leader: Garrett Peck
NEW NEW
New York City Libraries August 2027 (on sale May 1) A two-day tour to explore some of New York City’s most remarkable libraries, from the grandeur of the Morgan Library & Museum and New York Public Library to the intimate Grolier Club and Poets House. Discover extraordinary architecture, fascinating collections, and literary treasures within these institutions. Leader: Richard Selden
Wonders by Wright: Buffalo and Beyond Wed., Aug. 18–Sun., Aug. 22 (on sale Feb. 1) In the early 20th century, Frank Lloyd Wright and his contemporaries turned Buffalo into a showcase for some of the most dazzling and innovative public and private architecture. A five-day tour surveys this rich heritage. (Meets on site) Leader: Bill Keene
Treasures of Yale Theodore Roosevelt’s North Dakota Wed., Oct. 6–Mon., Oct. 11 (on sale March 1) Fly west and experience the wild beauty of the Dakota Territory that shaped young Theodore Roosevelt’s course as a conservationist and naturalist. (Meets on site) Leader: Melanie Choukas-Bradley
Fall 2027 Discover Yale University's historic campus, remarkable architecture, and world-class collections. Visit the Yale University Art Gallery, Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Yale Peabody Museum, and Musical Instrument Collection for a behind-thescenes look at the treasures that make Yale so exceptional. (Meets on site) Leader: Richard Selden
NEW Fall Splendor by Rail
Florida: History, Design, and Architecture
Sun., Oct. 17–Mon., Oct. 18 (on sale July 1)
Jan. 2028 (on sale Aug. 2027)
Climb aboard the Potomac Eagle and Western Maryland Scenic Railroad for a two-day journey through the scenic mountains of West Virginia and Maryland, where brilliant autumn colors provide the backdrop for two unforgettable train rides. Leader: James Reaves
Explore Florida’s remarkable history and architecture on a five-day journey from Tampa to Miami. Discover historic neighborhoods, Frank Lloyd Wright’s largest collection of buildings at a single site, and Miami’s extraordinary Art Deco landmarks. (Meets on site) Leader: Bill Keene
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HISTORY HISTORY
CULTURE CULTURE
SCIENCE SCIENCE
ART ART
STUDIO STUDIO ARTS ARTS
TOURS TOURS TOURS
Smithsonian Associates expert-led Study Tours offer one-of-a-kind in-person experiences. They’re the perfect way to learn more about the places and topics that fascinate you, and you’re sure to discover plenty of new favorites along the way.
CONNIE RAGSDALE
Bus Tour
Holiday Charms in Fairmount Park
In the late 18th century, Philadelphia was a thriving center of commerce and culture, and many of its wealthiest citizens built elegant country retreats along the banks of the Schuylkill River to escape the bustle of city life. Six mansions known as the “Charms” are among the few remaining from the dozens of villas that once lined what is now Fairmount Park. Each December, these beautifully preserved homes are transformed with period-inspired holiday decorations that evoke the warmth of Christmases past. They offer a glimpse into the city’s architectural, social, and cultural history while showcasing different styles of American design, from the balanced OUTelegance of the Federal style and the influence of proportions of Palladian architecture to the refined D L O S Neoclassicism. Experience the enchantment of three “Charms” on this tour. Holidays at Strawberry Mansion Begin at Strawberry Mansion, one of the finest examples of Federal architecture in the region. Richly furnished with an outstanding collection of American decorative arts, the mansion’s period rooms are decked with festive greenery and seasonal displays that highlight 19th-century holiday traditions. Continue to Woodford Mansion, a National Historic Landmark celebrated for its elegant interiors and one of the country’s premier collections of colonial furnishings and decorative arts. Holiday decorations complement the home’s craftsmanship and provide a welcoming backdrop for exploring the lives of the family who once lived there. At Laurel Hill Mansion, a graceful Georgian-style estate overlooking the Schuylkill River, discover beautifully restored rooms decorated with greenery, ribbons, and ornaments inspired by historic celebrations. Learn about the development of Fairmount Park as one of America’s great urban landscapes. The day concludes with a visit to the Fairmount Water Works, a pioneering 19th-century engineering marvel that supplied clean water to a growing city. Local historian Tom Keels serves as the tour leader. Fri., Dec. 11, 7:30 a.m.–10 p.m.; by bus; detailed tour information on website; CODE 1CD-023; Members $239; Nonmembers $300
World Art History Certificate elective: Earn 1 credit
2-Day Tour
A Trio of Modern Museum Gems
Explore the evolution of modern and contemporary art on a weekend in New York City led by modern art historian Nancy Hirshbein. From groundbreaking American artists to the international masters who transformed the visual language of the 20th century, discover how modern art challenged tradition and reimagined the way we see the world. Begin at the Whitney Museum of American Art, home to one of the world’s foremost collections of 20th- and 21st-century American art. Whitney Museum of Housed in Renzo Piano’s striking building overlooking the High Line, the American Art Metropolitan Museum of Art Whitney follows the development of American Modernism through works by Edward Hopper, Georgia O’Keeffe, Alexander Calder, Jacob Lawrence, Jean-Michel Basquiat, and many others. The visit also includes a guided tour of the special exhibition featuring the work of Roy Lichtenstein. Monday morning is all about the Metropolitan Museum of Art with a guided look at “Krasner and Pollock: Past Continuous.” The first major New York exhibition devoted to Lee Krasner or Jackson Pollock in more than two decades, it brings together more than 120 works to examine the artists’ intertwined lives and careers while celebrating their distinct creative achievements. The exhibition offers a fresh perspective on the emergence of Abstract Expressionism and the enduring influence of two of the movement’s most Museum of Modern Art important figures. Conclude the day at MoMA (Museum of Modern Art). A guided highlights tour explores the museum’s collection, which spans painting, sculpture, photography, design, film, architecture, and new media. Encounter masterpieces by pioneering artists including Picasso, Matisse, Dalí, Monet, van Gogh, Warhol, Pollock, Kahlo, and O’Keeffe while examining how their innovations challenged convention and redefined artistic expression. Tour participants stay at The Iroquois New York in the heart of Manhattan. An early three-course supper is included before you set off on Monday. Sun., Jan. 24, 8 a.m.–Mon., Jan. 25, 10:30 p.m.; by bus; detailed tour information on website; CODE 1CN-MOD; Members $723; Nonmembers $965
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HISTORY
On-Site Tour
CULTURE
SCIENCE
ART
STUDIO ARTS
TOURS TOURS
Behind the Scenes at Smithsonian Exhibits
Chris Hollshwander, exhibits specialist, installs a threedimensional element on an exhibit panel in “American Aspirations” inside the Smithsonian Castle
Jeff Rosshirt, exhibits specialist, demonstrates the effect of a lighting prototype for production of the exhibit “Afrofuturism: A History of Black Futures”
It takes more than curators to put together the exhibitions of art, artifacts, and specimens that fill the Smithsonian’s museums. There are also designers, editors, fabricators, model makers, and graphic specialists whose talents and skills play a key role in translating an exhibit’s concept into a physical reality. Meet some of these unseen but essential professionals when you pay a visit to a place where even the most avid museumgoer never sets foot: the headquarters of Smithsonian Exhibits in Landover, Maryland. Staff members talk about their work and welcome you to areas devoted to 3D scanning and printing technologies; graphics; fabrication; and object storage. See projects in progress, including ones destined for upcoming exhibitions at Smithsonian museums. You can’t get any more behind-the-scenes at the Smithsonian than this, and after the visit you’re guaranteed to view your next museum exhibition with a brand-new perspective. Fri., Feb. 19, 1–3 p.m.; detailed tour information on website; CODE 1CSB01; Members $50; Nonmembers $70
IMAGES COURTESY OF BETSY ROBINSON, SMITHSONIAN EXHIBITS HEAD OF EXHIBIT PLANNING
Read more about programs in this guide on our website. Search by code or date. Expanded program descriptions, presenters’ information, and more at SmithsonianAssociates.org.
World Art History Certificate elective: Earn ½ credit
Bus Tour
The Art of America
Escape the blues of winter with a day surrounded by the color, beauty, and imagination of American art. Stand before John Singer Sargent’s Group with Parasols (A Siesta) and imagine yourself basking in the warmth of a summer afternoon on an Alpine hillside, then lose yourself in the radiant hues of Mark Rothko’s Orange, Red, Yellow. From luminous landscapes to bold abstractions, the landmark collaboration “A Nation of Philadelphia Museum of Art Artists” between the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts brings together more than 1,000 works to offer fresh perspectives on the evolution of American creativity. Art historian Bonita Billman leads the tour. At the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the exhibition traces the story of American art from 1700 to 1960 through paintings, sculpture, furniture, and decorative arts. On your private expert-led tour, encounter familiar masters alongside creators whose contributions have too often been overlooked, including Indigenous and African American artists. From the crisp realism of Charles Willson Peale and the luminous Impressionism of Mary Cassatt to the powerful vision of Horace Pippin and the immersive color of Mark Rothko, the exhibition reveals an American artistic tradition that is anything but static. After free time to explore the remainder of the museum’s collection on your own, step inside the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts’ magnificent Historic Landmark Building. Aptly Group With Parasols (A Siesta) by John Singer Sargent, 1904-05 displayed in the first U.S. building created specifically for both exhibiting and teaching art, “A Nation of Artists” takes a thematic approach here, placing contemporary artists in lively conversation with creators of the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries. A guided tour explores works by Benjamin West, Winslow Homer, Georgia O’Keeffe, and others, revealing unexpected connections across time and artistic tradition. A lunch voucher for the Philadelphia Museum of Art is included.
PHILADELPHIA MUSEUM OF ART/MIDDLETON FAMILY COLLECTION
“A Nation of Artists” in Philadelphia
Sat., Feb. 20, 7 a.m.–7:30 p.m.; by bus; detailed tour information on website; CODE 1CD-024; Members $260; Nonmembers $320
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HISTORY
3-Day Tour
CULTURE
SCIENCE
ART
STUDIO ARTS
TOURS TOURS
Virginia’s Historic Triangle
Jamestown, Williamsburg, and Yorktown
Sun., March 14, 7 a.m.–Tues., March 16, 6 p.m.; by bus; detailed tour information on website; CODE 1NN-VHT; Members $1,231; Nonmembers $1,600
ROB CARDILLO / PHILADELPHIA FLOWER SHOW
Bus Tour
The Philadelphia Flower Show
Shake off winter and welcome the arrival of spring with a day immersed in the beauty, color, and creativity of the Philadelphia Flower Show. Spectacular floral arrangements, lush gardens, and imaginative landscapes transform the Pennsylvania Convention Center into a celebration of horticulture and design. From breathtaking displays by leading designers to innovative garden concepts and sustainable plant varieties, the show offers inspiration for gardeners and nature lovers alike. Founded in 1829 by the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, the Philadelphia Flower Show is both the nation’s largest and the world’s longestrunning horticultural event. In addition to acres of displays, the show features horticulture and floral-arranging competitions, gardening presentations, lectures, demonstrations, and special events. Horticulturist Chelsea Mahaffey offers insight into the plants, designs, and ideas on display and helps participants discover highlights throughout the show. Enjoy ample time to explore the exhibition at your own pace and immerse yourself in a day of color, fragrance, and horticultural artistry. A gourmet box lunch is provided. Participants purchase their own supper before departure in the evening. Sun., March 14, 9 a.m.–8:30 p.m.; by bus; detailed tour information on website; CODE 1CD-025; Members $212; Nonmembers $275
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PI3.124 / CC BY-SA 3.0
Trace the dramatic story of Virginia’s colonial past and the birth of a nation on this immersive three-day journey through Jamestown, Williamsburg, and Yorktown with historian and professor Denver Brunsman of George Washington University. From the first permanent English settlement to the revolutionary victory that helped secure American independence, explore the people, places, ideas, and conflicts that shaped America’s early history. At Jamestown Settlement, a special welcome and guided tour bring the colony’s beginnings to life. Explore the museum and outdoor-history areas before visiting Hedge maze behind the Governor’s Palace in Colonial Historic Jamestowne, where archaeology continues to reveal new stories about the Williamsburg, Virginia settlement founded in 1607. Go behind the scenes to view the archaeological work conducted by Preservation Virginia, and visit the Jamestown Glasshouse, where the colony’s early attempts at glassmaking are still being explored. Continue to Williamsburg, the colonial capital that became a center of political power and revolutionary thought. During a guided walking tour of Colonial Williamsburg, explore the Capitol, Governor’s Palace, and working trade shops while learning how this remarkable historic district was conceived, preserved, and brought to life. Take advantage of special access to the DeWitt Wallace Collections and Conservation Building to view furniture and other objects not normally on public view and meet conservators who care for Colonial Williamsburg’s Outdoor living history area of James Fort at Jamestown Settlement extraordinary collections. Free time allows you to explore the historic area, Colin G. and Nancy N. Campbell Archaeology Center, or the Art Museums of Colonial Williamsburg at your own pace. The tour culminates in Yorktown, where the Revolutionary War reached its decisive moment in 1781. At the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown, a historian introduces the events and personalities of the Revolution before you explore the museum independently. Then visit Yorktown Battlefield to understand the strategy, circumstances, and human drama behind the American victory. Overnight accommodation is at the Williamsburg Lodge.
HISTORY
2-Day Tour
CULTURE
SCIENCE
ART
STUDIO ARTS
TOURS TOURS
The Best of Brooklyn
An independent city until 1898, Brooklyn is New York City’s most populous borough, with more than 2.5 million residents. Rich in history, architecture, and culture, it has evolved into one of the city’s most vibrant destinations, where historic neighborhoods and landmarks coexist with an ever-changing mix of galleries, restaurants, shops, and cultural institutions. On this two-day exploration, arts journalist and former Brooklynite Richard Selden introduces you to some of the borough’s most fascinating places and experiences. Discover the collections of the Brooklyn Museum; enjoy a concert at Concerts on the Slope, a neighborhood series showcasing live chamber music; and go behind the scenes for a special look at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, one of the country’s leading centers for contemporary performance. Explore the 52-acre Brooklyn Botanic Garden, stroll through Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux’s Prospect Park, and take in views from the Brooklyn Bridge. Stay in a hotel in the heart of Brooklyn and experience the borough like a local, with dinner at a charming Italian restaurant in the Carroll Gardens neighborhood and lunch at an authentic Turkish restaurant. Throughout the weekend, your study leader provides an insider’s perspective Brooklyn Botanic Garden on a borough that continues to reinvent itself while retaining its distinctive character. Sun., April 4, 7 a.m.–Mon., April 5, 9:30 p.m.; by bus; detailed tour information on website; CODE 1CN-BOB; Members $676; Nonmembers $900
Read more about programs in this guide on our website. Search by code or date. Expanded program descriptions, presenters’ information, and more at SmithsonianAssociates.org.
2-Day Tour
Chincoteague and Assateague
Assateague Island National Seashore and Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge are home to natural splendor, cultural treasures, and coastal charm. Spend two days with naturalist and educator Liana Vitali immersed in island life, exploring the natural wonders the barrier islands have to offer—and hear the lore of the Chincoteague ponies’ origin. Upon arriving on Assateague, enjoy an orientation at the visitor center with a park ranger, followed by a guided hike on one of the island’s many trails to explore the extraordinary seashore ecosystem. Be sure to bring your binoculars: The barrier island is home to over 320 species of birds during the year and is a vital stopover for migratory shorebirds. At sunset, a pontoon boat ride takes you to see Assateague’s topography, herds of wild horses, and other wildlife—plus dolphins. After your overnight stay at the Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Chincoteague Island Waterfront, a day filled with exploration awaits. A visit to the Museum of Chincoteague Island includes a tour led by the museum’s assistant director, Cindy Faith. She discusses the history and culture of the island, including how pony penning came about. After lunch, visit the lighthouse before taking a leisurely guided hike on one of Chincoteague’s nature trails, watching for ponies, deer, and spring blossoms before returning to Washington. INSIDE SCIENCE
Sun., April 25, 7 a.m.–Mon., April 26, 9:30 p.m.; by bus; detailed tour information on website; CODE 1CN-CAV; Members $597; Nonmembers $795
Wild horses at Assateague Island National Seashore, Maryland
Please note: All tour dates and content are subject to change.Travel insurance is advised for overnight and multi-day tours. It provides additional coverage against unforeseen incidents that require last-minute cancellations. Smithsonian Associates does not provide this insurance, so study tour registrants are suggested to purchase travel insurance on their own. Overnight tours are non-refundable within 30 days of travel.
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Smithsonian Associates
Recognizing Our Generous Donors Special thanks to the individuals, corporations, foundations, and organizations whose support makes the work of the Smithsonian Associates possible. Donor generosity offers audiences of all ages opportunities for discovery, enrichment, and knowledge. In these pages, we gratefully acknowledge donors from around the world who made gifts between October 1, 2025, and September 30, 2026. PHOTOS BY NORWOOD PHOTOGRAPHY
Individuals Director’s Circle
Dr. Susan H. Benezra
Ms. Elizabeth A. Brackett
Suzan Friedman
Andy Black and Laurie Trautner-Black
Ms. Janice Bramlett
Ms. Elizabeth Gemmill
Jere Broh-Kahn
Ted Gold and Margaret Gering
Hank Brothers and Catherine Landry
Ms. Wendy Goldberg
Marlene Carlson Stephen Chavez
David Granite and Mary Lou Oster-Granite
John Chester
Ms. Catherine Green
Mark Colley
Lucie Cooper Greer
Thomas and Virginia Collier
Ms. Rosemary Haas
Deborah Copito
Wendy Hagman Robert and Susan Hale
Jody Brown
Anonymous
Dr. May Lin Chin
David Austen
Amnon and Sue Golan
Ann Kilian
Dr. Robert D. Hevey, Jr.
Linda Massaro
Lowell and Celia Jacoby
Christine White
Ms. Judith Kaplan
Carol Williams
Okhee Kim Roger and Wanda Monthey
Dr. Ronnyjane Goldsmith
Benefactor
Berniece Patterson
Anonymous
Robyn G. Pryor
Regina A. Corso
Alan and Barbara Bellack
Paula S. Thiede
Robert Cover and Bonnie Lepoff
Paula Huber and Francis Sheehan
Charles and Candace Cowan
Ms. Cynthia C. Hull
Sponsor
Dr. Daniel A. Cronin
William F. Huneke
Susan Janssen
Anonymous
Mr. Nelson Cunningham
Charles F. Jacobs
Ms. Kristen Dorn Kennedy
Mr. Patrick N. Anderson
Sean Dail and Maryann Dulick
Elizabeth Janthey
Walter and Elizabeth Lohmann
William Mark Ballard
John DePodesta
Dr. Mara and Mr. Bruce Mayor
Ms. Jane Barrow
David and Helen DeRoo
John Johnson and Lawrence Reynolds
Sandra Schlachtmeyer
Karen Bartman
Steve and Sharon Edelman
Ms. Valerie Johnston
Jon and Sandy Willen
Ms. Janet Baxter
James Edmonds and Betsy Grooms Edmonds
Sally Jones
Dennis and Patricia Eker
Dr. Marsha Kaplan
Carol Farris
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Dr. Constance M. Filling
Erna Kerst
Taft and Sehrangez Blackburn Rick and Carol Froehlich
Alan and Kyle Z. Bell
Partner Anonymous Decie Autin Linda and James Beers
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Ann D. Berkowitz Sue Berryman Mr. Michael Blackman
Mr. Robert Frantz
Thomas and Adelaide Jones
RecognizingCulture Our Generous Donors + Ideas Jeanne Rosenthal
Patron
Mr. Thomas M. Corsi
George Kush and Margaret Snowdon
Michele Russell-Einhorn
Anonymous
Kate and Richard Crawford
Ms. Teresa Rutledge
Drs. Michael and Judy Ackerman
Ms. Madelyn R. Creedon
James W. LaBaugh
Stacey J. Schacter
Angela Price Aggeler
Mrs. Nicole Currie
Ms. Jane Lang
Elida Seretti Pierson
Mr. and Mrs. David C. Ailor
Mr. William G. Dakin
Sheila Shaw
Ms. Carrie Cissy Anderson
Ms. Mary Alice Davidson
Mr. Michael J. Arthur
John J. Diamond
Mr. Mark Ascione
Liz DiGregorio
Hilda and William Bank
Donald Dimcheff
Jeffrey R. Barnes
Paul and Susan Edmondson
Persis Barron
Roya M. Ellis
Ms. Barbara E. Baumann
Curtis Fetty and Susan Yeager
Richard James Bernal
Ms. Louise Finch
Stephen and Mary Sue Kitchen
Ms. Courtney Lix Ms. Joyce Lowenstein Mr. William Lynch Charmaine Martin Ms. Patricia M. Mathios Ms. Catherine McClave Mr. Michael McCormick
Paul and Valerie Singer Noah R. Smith Wendy Smith and Gary Fitch Thomas Snyder KT Sparks Mr. Harry H. Spence
Katherine McCune
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J.J. Finkelstein and Linda Parisi
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Brian Biles and Diane Rowland
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Joshua Blume
Melinda Gallegos
Mr. George Christian Paulsen
Stefan and Marilyn Tucker
Ms. Cynthia W. Bode
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Ms. Tracy Perreten
James and Patricia Turner
Maury Bohan
Judy E. Gillette
Ms. Barbara R. Perry
Ms. Sharon Vejvoda
Duanjie Chen
W. Morton Glassberg
Ms. Mary Christine Peters
Elizabeth Velte Simon
Norma Cirincione
Marcia Glauberman
Carolyn Wheeler
John Clark and Robin Parker
Ms. Joan E. Goldfeder
Dr. Victoria Amber White
Mr. Richard Cleva
Barry Martin Granger
Ms. Hilary C. Coman
Ken and Cindy Graziani
Ms. Evelyn Petschek Arthur and Irene Purcell Sue Reamer
Robert Grimes Donald and Wren Gurney Max Handelsman and Melinda Moyer
Donor Ann Kilian and Fredie Adelman at the Embassy of Spain during a 250th commemorative program exploring Spain’s role in the American Revolution. PHOTO BY NORWOOD PHOTOGRAPHY
Donors Edward and Rachel Eitches at a 250th commemorative program presented in collaboration with the Principality of Monaco. PHOTOS BY NORWOOD PHOTOGRAPHY
DECEMBER 2026 SMITHSONIAN ASSOCIATES
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Recognizing Generous Donors Culture Our + Ideas
Mrs. Kathleen Hanrahan Charles and Ingrid Hendershot Ms. Nancy Hight Betsy and David Holland Joseph and Lynne Horning Gary Hucka Dr. Alan R. Jacobson Charles and Muriel Jedlicka Sally Long Johns Bruce Evan Johnson Katherine B. Johnson Ms. Dianne H. Jordan Naomi Kane Ms. Joyce Kirk Marie G. Kissel Ms. Mary Knox Mr. Kenneth W. Kuhn, Jr. Miodrag Kukrika Ms. Barbara C. Kyse Ms. Nicole Lakner David LaMar and Terri Crowl Roger and Linda Lark Robert and Bonnie Lesnick Elvon Lloyd Ralph Lopez and Linda Marks Ms. Jennifer Lyons Shannon K. Maginn David and Lisa Markland
Culture + Ideas
William Marshuetz and Kathryn Lahn
Roger Ostrander and Kathryn Hansen
David Martin
Ms. Patricia Overmeyer
Stan Sobel and Elizabeth Nicholas
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Michael Paley and Anna Lucca
Diann Spencer
Roger Mattiol
Mrs. Laura Perdue
Mr. Robert C. Stacy
Joyce McCallister
Ms. Alexandra L. Peters
Mrs. Rita Stanis
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Richard and Patricia Steelman
Patricia McCune
Dr. Bob Pettapiece
Ms. Kristin Judith Stephen
Mr. John M. McFarland
Mrs. Christina Plaks
George and Susan Stimak
Nancy McGinness
Mrs. Diana C. Prince
L. E. Strickling
Leda McIntyre-Hall
Martha Rees
Robert and Johnnye Tamaru
Ms. Anne McKenzie
Jeff Reese
Peter and Ann Tanous
Ms. Sheila A. Meehan
Nancy E. Tate
Antoinette Miller
Erin Richardson and Josh Peters
Thomas Miller
Ms. Denise Rollins
Joseph and Jo Anne Missal
Ms. Alicia Saffer
Hon. Mary Mochary
Jason E. Schaff
Denny Truesdale and Jerilyn Levi
Dr. Judith A. Monte
Lyn Schlitt
Joanne and Lynne Tucker
Paul Mullen and Karin Book
Mrs. Lori Schue
Mr. Thomas Van Wazer
Daniel and Marie-Jo Newlon
Mr. Richard Seldin
Ivan Velev and Martine Wauters
David and Philaine Nexon
Sandra Sellers
Paul and Gretchen Vogelzang
Ms. Alexa Nicolaides
Ms. Cynthia Helene Shields
Michael and Janice Ward
Mr. James A Noone
Ms. Kathryn Weil Simon
Mary K. Warren
Robert K. Oaks
The Singletary Family
Mr. George H. Weidner, Jr.
Ms. Anne Odell
Thalia Sinnamon
Ms. Melisa Wilson
Devin LaBella O’Connor
Annelise and Robert Smith
Robert and Elaine Woodward
Ms. Maura C. O'Leary
Mr. Dennis Smith
Elizabeth York and Art Rubin
Ms. Sandra Ruth Smith
Nicholas and Diane Trentacoste
Dr. Linda J. Young
Your Gifts Power Smithsonian Associates
“
Donors and members enjoy programs at (left to right) the Smithsonian, the Embassy of Brazil, and the Embassy of Peru as part of the series Our Shared Future: 250.
Keep these lectures coming. I've signed up for several more and am always impressed by the quality. 60
PHOTOS BY NORWOOD PHOTOGRAPHY
RecognizingCulture Our Generous Donors + Ideas Smithsonian Associates
Patrons who express their support for the future of Smithsonian Associates in their estate plans by including bequests, charitable gift annuities, or other deferred gifts are invited to be a member of our Legacy Society. These dedicated individuals perpetuate Smithsonian Associates’ unparalleled access to the Smithsonian's world of knowledge through innovative, engaging programming that promotes learning, enrichment, and creativity for people of all ages.
Legacy Society
Corporations, Foundations, Organizations, and Individuals The following corporations, foundations, organizations, and individuals have made contributions to Smithsonian Associates during fiscal year 2026 through matching gifts, direct program support, gifts-in-kind, or unrestricted contributions at the Sponsor level and above. Anonymous Jane Beatty
Embassy of the Principality of Monaco
Jan Benedetti
Mary Moser
Anonymous
Shirley Loo
Embassy of Brazil
Jay Murphy
Ralph and Birdie Albers *
William and Judy Lyzak
Mark and Phyllis Breese
Louise Paquette
Kenneth and Lorraine Appleton
Linda Massaro
Embassy of Peru
Andy Black and Laurie Trautner-Black
Lowell and Dorothy McDysan *
Comegys Bight Charitable Foundation
Eleanor McMillan *
Sy DuBow and Estelle Quain
The Nora Roberts Foundation
Ms. Katherine Boyd
Eugene Miller *
Edward and Rachel Eitches
RoFa Projects
Jere Broh-Kahn
Judith Monte
Robert Fabia and Kathy Aram
Edwina Sebest
Linda Cullen
Renee Nelson and Barbara Cronin
Ed Falkowitz and Linda Meer
Peter Sowa
Genevra Davis *
Jane Northern
David Fountain and Stella Lam
Edward and Rachel Eitches
Harry Rosenthal
Brenda Gaines
The Cultural Office of the Embassy of Spain
Beverly Feeser *
Robert and Deanne Seward
Nancy Grason
Grace Ferrill *
Siewchin Yong Sommer
Susan Janssen
Joseph Fischer
Beverly Weber
Howard Kaplan
Becky J. Fredriksson *
Angela Weisskopf
The Lohman Family
Sallie L. Holder
Jon and Sandy Willen
Charmaine Martin
Susan Janssen
Douglas and Laura Wolford
Rosemary J. McClare
Ms. Florence R. Joseph*
* - In memoriam
Associates Insider Tours Members at the Patron level and higher participated in complimentary “Insider Tours” this past year to a dozen Washington-area locations, including (clockwise from top): the Italian Embassy, the Department of the Interior, the Mexican Cultural Institute, and the National Postal Museum. PHOTOGRAPHY: SMITHSONIAN STAFF / VOLUNTEERS
Sue Reamer
Adele M. Thomas Charitable Foundation Jon and Sandy Willen H-B Woodlawn Secondary Program
Smithsonian Associates appreciates the support of each individual, corporation, foundation, and organization listed here. We strive to be as accurate as possible, but as in any such listing, it is possible for errors to occur. If we listed your name incorrectly or inadvertently omitted your name, please bring it to the attention of the Office of Development immediately by emailing DonorServices@si.edu, so we may correct our records. If you would like to make a gift to Smithsonian Associates or would like more information on ways to give, contact the Office of Development at 202-633-3440. You can also find additional information online at SmithsonianAssociates.org
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Members-only priority program registration before programs go on sale to the public (some exclusions apply)
Ability to purchase one registration per program at the discounted member price Subscription to the monthly Smithsonian Associates program guide Subscription to the monthly Smithsonian Associates digital program guide Access to members-only in-person and online programs Access to free Associates in-person and online programs as available (notification sent via email) 3-day viewing access to Associates Encores recordings of online programs (some exclusions apply) Subscription to the Smithsonian Associates Digital Digest Ability to purchase up to four registrations per program at the discounted member price Smithsonian magazine delivered to your home Ability to purchase up to six registrations per program at the discounted member price Member discounts on Art Collectors Program fine-art prints Advance digital copy of the monthly Smithsonian Associates program guide Two complimentary registrations for an online program, in-person lecture, or performance (value equal to $35 per registration or less)
Priority consideration for wait-listed programs (some exclusions apply) Advance registration for high-demand programs (notification sent via email) Ability to participate in Smithsonian Summer Camp registration lottery Two complimentary registrations for a Smithsonian Insider event No $3 phone order processing fees for program registrations conducted over the phone Monthly donor preview digital communications for select upcoming programs NEW: Registration access to complimentary Associates Insider Tours in Washington, D.C. (notification sent via email)
Copy of the Smithsonian’s annual report Recognition on the Smithsonian Associates website, in the program guide’s annual donor list, and on the annual plaque at our headquarters in Washington, D.C. One gift membership at the Explorer level to give to a family member or friend (restrictions apply)
Reserved seating at most Smithsonian Associates in-person programs Invitations to backstage meet-and-greets at select Smithsonian Associates in-person programs Dedicated concierge phone line for inquiries and program registration Invitation for two to the prestigious annual Smithsonian Weekend Recognition in the Smithsonian’s annual report Four complimentary registrations for an online program or in-person lecture (value equal to $35 per registration)
Additional 20% discount on member prices for Art Collectors Program fine-art prints Two gift memberships at the Explorer level to give to family members or friends (restrictions apply)
Special event invitations as available Quarterly Director’s Roundtable digital communications (opportunities to gather in person when applicable)
Invitation to a private event with members of Associates’ leadership Effective April 1, 2025
To become a member visit SmithsonianAssociates.org/join or call 202-633-3030 (M–F, 10 a.m.–3 p.m. ET)
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DIRECTOR’S CIRCLE– $10,000
BENEFACTOR–$5,000
PARTNER–$3,000
SPONSOR–$1,200
PATRON–$600
CONTRIBUTOR–$300
CIRCLE OF SUPPORT ADVOCATE–$200
PROMOTER–$140
CHAMPION–$100
EXPLORER–$60
Smithsonian Associates Membership Levels and Benefits
INTRODUCTORY LEVELS
HELPFUL INFORMATION Program Planner (New listings in red); (In-person programs •) Courses, Performances, and Lectures—Multi-Session Sat., Dec. 5; Fri., Feb. 26; Sat., April 3; Fri., June 11 Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra
• ................................................20
Thurs., Dec. 10 and 17 Two Holiday Masterworks: Messiah and The Nutcracker..........................23 Thurs., Dec. 10, Jan. 14, and Feb. 11 Contemporary Architecture: Global Vision ....................................................39
Sat., Jan. 23 The Axelrod String Quartet
• .............................................................................22
Mon., Jan. 25–Thurs., Jan. 28 From Rococo to Realism .....................................................................................42 Tues., Feb. 2–16 The Great Monarchies of Northern Europe ....................................................12 Tues., Feb. 2–23
Sat., Dec. 12 and 19 How Western Art Developed: Antiquity Through the Middle Ages .........39
Write Into Art: Creative Writing Inspired by Visual Art ............................36 Women Artists of Latin America .......................................................................42
Tues., Jan. 5–19 Early America Captured in 3 Chronicles ...........................................................7
Wed., Feb. 3–24 Understanding Sculpture ...................................................................................43
Wed., Jan. 6–27 Understanding Greek Art and Civilization......................................................40
Thurs., Feb. 4–25 Stravinsky in Motion ............................................................................................28
Thurs., Jan. 7–28 Beethoven’s Concertos: A Bicentennial Celebration...................................25
Thurs., Feb. 4–March 4 Long May She Reign..............................................................................................12
Wed., Jan. 13–27 Thinking Ethically: Truth, Debate, and Moral Decision-Making ...............25 Thurs., Jan. 14 and 28 Art of the Trojan War .........................................................................................40 Thurs., Jan. 14–March 4 Further Explorations in Music Theory ...........................................................24
Sun., Feb. 7, 21, and 28 Botanical Gardens Winter Series ....................................................................33 Sun., Feb. 28
•
Masterworks of Five Centuries ..................................................................... 22 Mon., March 1–15 A Geologic Tour of the Pacific Ring of Fire..................................................34
Fri., Jan. 15 and 22 Threads of Empire: The Art of Ottoman Textiles ..........................................41
Tues., March 9–30 Cultural Heritage Sites of India.......................................................................45
Lectures and Seminars—Single Session Tues., Dec. 1
Wed., Dec. 2
The Cuban Missile Crisis..........................................................4 The Grateful Dead ..................................................................18 . Winter’s Wisdom: A Reflective Writing Workshop ..........36 The Mosaics of Ravenna........................................................36
Wed., Dec. 9
The Visual Language of Islamic Art ....................................37
Thurs., Dec. 10
A Tudor Christmas ....................................................................6 The History of the Game Show ............................................21 This Is Rob Reiner ....................................................................21
The Roots of Religious Freedom ............................................4 How to Listen to Jazz ..............................................................18
Fri., Dec. 11
In the Company of Pandas....................................................30 The Irrepressible Rosa Bonheur ..........................................37 Thurs., Dec. 3
“Keep Calm and Carry On" ......................................................5 Tues., Dec. 15
Mark Rothko ..............................................................................37 Fri., Dec. 4
Brewed Brilliance ......................................................................18
Wed., Dec. 16
As You Like It ............................................................................19 Paul Simon’s “Graceland” ......................................................19 Sat., Dec. 5
The Grapes of Wrath ..............................................................19
Mon., Dec. 7
The Seven Wonders of Rome ..................................................5
Thurs., Dec. 17
Slavery and the American Revolution ..................................5 Dickens Without the Humbug ..............................................21 The Rise and Fall of the Dinosaurs ....................................30
Fri., Dec. 18 Tues., Jan. 5
Palatine Chapel ........................................................................38 Tues., Dec. 8
Nazis in South America ............................................................5
Wed., Jan. 6
Nathaniel Hawthorne ..............................................................21 Carving the Grand Canyon....................................................30 Venice’s Artistic Revolution ..................................................39
The B-29 Superfortress............................................................6 The Legacy of Women Astronomical "Computers" ........30 What Mantises Reveal About Insect Evolution ................31 Rembrandt and the Dutch Golden Age ............................39
Mon., Dec. 14
Justice on Trial: The Dreyfus Affair ......................................4 The Fairies of Winter ..............................................................18
The Forbidden City ..................................................................3
Thurs., Jan. 7
History for the Holidays ..........................................................6 The Persian Wars ......................................................................6 The Stars of Harry Potter ......................................................31 Together in Spirit ......................................................................2 The Evolution of the American Cookie ..............................23 The Olmsted in All of Us ..........................................................7 The New United States in the Age of Sail ..........................7 Lucille Ball: The Fabulous First Lady of Funny ................23 Scandinavian Design ..............................................................40 A Preservationist’s Palette: Architecture in Color ............7 Dylan Thomas, Poet and Broadcaster ................................23 Frank Capra's Life, Films, and America ............................24 Sacred Images ..........................................................................35 UFOs: How Would Humanity Respond? ............................24 Moviegoing in America ..........................................................24 Philippine Rice Terraces of Ifugao ........................................3 Sherlock Holmes at 140: The Game’s Afoot......................25 Reconsidering Claudius ............................................................8 The Hindenburg Disaster ........................................................8 The Great Atom Debate ..........................................................31
DECEMBER 2026 SMITHSONIAN ASSOCIATES
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HELPFUL INFORMATION Program Planner (New listings in red); (In-person programs •) Fri., Jan. 8 Mon., Jan. 11
Tues., Jan. 12
Wed., Jan. 13 Thurs., Jan. 14 Fri., Jan. 15 Sun., Jan. 17 Tues., Jan. 19
Wed., Jan. 20 Thurs., Jan. 21
Fri., Jan. 22 Mon., Jan. 25
Tues., Jan. 26 Wed., Jan. 27 Thurs., Jan. 28 Fri., Jan. 29 Sat., Jan. 30 Mon., Feb. 1
Tues., Feb. 2 Wed., Feb. 3
Thurs., Feb. 4
The Canterbury Pilgrimages ..................................................8 Lee Krasner and Jackson Pollock ........................................37 Operation Dragoon ....................................................................8 The Life of Aristotle ................................................................25 Basilica of San Francesco of Assisi....................................38 1980s Britain Revisited ............................................................9 The Merchants of Venice ........................................................9 Tropical Gardens of Florida....................................................31 Wonderful Nice: The Pennsylvania Dutch............................9 The First Barbary War ..............................................................9 Breaking the Mold: Auguste Rodin......................................40 Gustav Klimt and the Vienna Secession ............................41 The Great Molasses Flood......................................................10 Runes in the Viking Age and Beyond ..................................10 Inside the Nest: The Wild Lives of Bald Eagles ..............32 Looking Out, Looking In..........................................................36 The Hessians Are Coming......................................................10 Willa Cather: Life and Literature..........................................26 Religious Identities in Early America ....................................4 Gaeldom: A History of the Highlands ................................10 The Well-Rounded Life ..........................................................26 The Chelsea Flower Show......................................................32 The Trans-Siberian Railway....................................................11 Seek and You Shall Find ........................................................41 The Gallipoli Campaign............................................................11 Hector Berlioz and the Symphonie Fantastique ............26 Buddhist Ethics ........................................................................27 The Beatles’ Touring Era ........................................................27 Hendrick Avercamp’s Winter Wonderlands ......................42 Metropolis: Fritz Lang’s Masterpiece at 100 ....................27 More than Marley: A Journey into Rastafari ......................11 Québec, All Ways ......................................................................27 Daily Life in Renaissance Florence ....................................35 American Watercolorists of the Gilded Age ....................42 The Indispensable Benjamin Franklin..................................11 The Tempest ..............................................................................19 How Disney Conquered the Entertainment Universe ....28 The History of Scotch Whisky ..............................................28 Darwin and the Dawn of Conservation ............................32 The Forgotten World’s Fair ....................................................12 The Kennicott Bible: An Illuminated Masterpiece ..........12 New York's First Enlightenment ..........................................32 David Drake ..............................................................................43 Us: The New Story of Human Evolution ............................33
Mon., Feb. 8 Tues., Feb. 9 Wed., Feb. 10
Fri., Feb. 12 Sun., Feb. 14 Tues., Feb. 16 Wed., Feb. 17
Thurs., Feb. 18 Fri., Feb. 19 Sat., Feb. 20 Sun., Feb. 21 Mon., Feb. 22
Tues., Feb. 23 Wed., Feb. 24
Thurs., Feb. 25 Fri., Feb. 26 Tues., March 2 Wed., March 3 Fri., March 5 Tues., March 9 Wed., March 10 Thurs., March 11 Mon., March 15 Sat., March 20 Wed., March 31
Anti-Slavery Movement and Human Rights......................13 Little Red Riding Hood............................................................28 The Double-V Campaign ........................................................13 Showing Orchids ......................................................................33 Elbert Hubbard and the Roycrofters ..................................13 Presidential Retreats ..............................................................13 Reading Gulliver’s Travels Today ........................................29 Abraham Lincoln and His Vision of Reconstruction ......14 Bernini and Borromini ............................................................35 The Art of Egon Schiele ..........................................................41 Recantations: Survivors of the Inquisition ........................14 Harriet Beecher Stowe............................................................14 Redwood National and State Parks ......................................3 Broadway’s Ruins ....................................................................29 Brilliant Blunders: From Darwin to Einstein ....................33 Lands of Myths and Legends ................................................14 Caravaggio Illuminated ..........................................................43 Renaissance Italy: Artistic Revolution................................43 Ireland and Britain: More than 800 Years of Conflict ....15 Presidential Style......................................................................15 The Battle of Agincourt ..........................................................15 Gustav Mahler ..........................................................................26 Basilica of San Clemente ......................................................38 Beyond the Canvas: Performance Art ................................44 Churchill’s War Rooms ............................................................15 The Oyster Wars of Chesapeake Bay..................................16 The First Ladies ........................................................................16 From Protest to Politics..........................................................16 Amedeo Modigliani ..................................................................44 Return of the Wild....................................................................34 William H. Johnson ..................................................................44 Lost Languages ........................................................................16 Discovering the Art and Architecture of Puglia ..............44 King Arthur: Fact and Fiction ................................................17 Konrad Adenauer ......................................................................17 An A-Z of J. R. R. Tolkien ......................................................29 The Medici Women ..................................................................35 The Habsburg Dynasty ............................................................17 American Impressionism ......................................................45 The Golden Age of Television ..............................................29 The Artistic Virtuosity of Photorealism ............................45 A Day in History: The Ides of March....................................17 Palazzo Te ..................................................................................38 Medieval England: Art and Archaeology............................45 Making the Most of Your Memory ......................................34
Tours—Single and Multi-Session• Sun., Jan. 24 Fri., Feb. 19 Sat., Feb. 20
A Trio of Modern Museum Gems ........................................54 Behind the Scenes at Smithsonian Exhibits....................55 The Art of America .................................................................55
Sun., March 14 Sun., April 4 Sun., April 25
Virginia’s Historic Triangle.......................................................56 The Philadelphia Flower Show ....................................................56 The Best of Brooklyn.......................................................................57 Chincoteague and Assateague....................................................57
Studio Arts Art Theory and Practice, Painting, Drawing, Mixed Media, Fiber Arts, Other Media, and Photography
64
SmithsonianAssociates.org
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Smithsonian Institution Washington, D.C. 20560-0701
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