This museum is a national resource devoted to increasing public understanding and knowledge of the historical experiences and cultural expressions of people of African descent and heritage. NOTE: This museum is closed for renovation until some time in the Fall of 2001.

900 Jefferson Dr SW Washington DC 20560 Phone: 202-357-2700 Open Daily 10am to 5:30pmThis building houses changing exhibitions and the children's performing arts facility, Discovery Theater. The original U.S. National Museum, this architectural wonder once held many specimens (such as the Spirit of St. Louis) that are now on display in other Smithsonian museums.

The web's only premier collection of interesting and novel merchandise each one with it's own piece of Washington, DC history and folklore. Check out a unique wooden model of the Iwo Jima Memorial, real uncut money from the U.S. Treasury, even your own personal version of Air Force One from the White House.

The Folklife Festival is a unique Washington, DC tradition. However to keep this program alive, we rely on the support of our volunteers. We are still in need of volunteers for the festival this summer (June 23-27, June 30- July 4). This year is especially important because Washington, DC is one of the featured areas (in addition to El Rio and Tibet). Please go to the website and fill out an application if you are able to volunteer.

7th St. and Independence Ave. SW Washington, DC 20560 Phone: 202.357.2700 Open Daily A beautifully designed circular building with a fountain of concentric circles, the Hirshorn is based upon the extensive 11,000-piece modern art collection of Joseph Hirshhorn.

Open Daily 9am to 5:30pm Located in the S. Dillon Ripley Center, the International Gallery consistently hosts displays on significant topics in varying field and cultures.
1100 Jefferson Dr. SW Washington DC
Phone: 202.357.4880

14th St. & Constitution Ave. NW Washington, D.C. 20560 Phone: 202.357.2700 Open Daily The National Museum of American History's goal is to "collect, preserve, and interpret artifacts as a special class of historical evidence and as principal expressions of human creativity."

The purpose of the Museum is to preserve a record of the patriotic contributions of the men and women of the Jewish faith who served during and between times of war in the Armed Forces of the United States and as veterans thereof, from the time of the founding of this country to the present, for future generations by illustration through public education utilizing the Museum's collections for exhibits, publications and educational programs.

The new National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI) provides a place to celebrate your present achievements and your deepest hopes for the future, while allowing all Americans to experience the rich culture of the American Indian.The National Museum of the American Indian, Washington, D.C., is located on the National Mall between the Smithsonian’s National Air & Space Museum and the U.S. Capitol Building.
Phone: 202-633-1000

Trace U.S. history through representations of the men and women who contributed to its cultural, political, scientific and military development.
NOTE: This museum closes for 4 years of renovation effective January 9, 2000.

This museum is devoted to the history of America's mail service and houses the National Philatelic Collection. Exhibitions review the history of the mail service in Colonial times and the Civil War, the Pony Express, mail transportation, and the art of letters. Also on view is a priceless stamp collection.

The National Zoo allows you to see the first Komodo dragons to breed in the western world, gaze at golden lion tamarins, and witness orangutans swing and make their own transportation system rivaling the Metro.
3001 Connecticut Avenue, NWWashington, DC Phone: 202-673-4800 (General information recording)202-673-4717 (Information desk)
Open DailyBuildings: 10am - 4:30pm Grounds: 8am - 8pm (May 1 -September 15) 8am - 6pm (September 16 -April 30) Closed December 25
Located conveniently between Woodley Park and Cleveland Park in D.C.'s Northwest

Albert Bierstadt, Winslow Homer, Albert Pinkham Ryder, Childe Hassam, Mary Cassatt, Jacob Lawrence, Gene Davis, and Robert Rauschenberg are among the artists represented in the 37,500 works in the collection.
NOTE: This museum will close for 4 years of renovation on January 3, 2000.

Known as "The Castle", and built in 1855, the Smithsonian Institution Building is the orginal Smithsonian building. It houses the administrative offices, information for visitors, the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, and even James Smithson's crypt.
Center Open 9 AM to 5:30 PM Daily
Closed December 25
1000 Jefferson Drive, SW Washington, D.C.
202-357-2700 voice; 202-357-1729 TTY

Open Daily The museum's extensive collection consists of 7,000 African artworks in wood, metal, ceramic, cloth, and ivory. On long term loan is an exhibition titled "The Ancient Nubian City of Kerma, 2500-1500 BC." which consists of 40 pieces, including ceramics, jewelry and a variety of small ivory animal inlays.
950 Independence Ave. SW, Washington, D.C. 20560
Phone: 202.357.4600

Drawing on its vast postal history and philateliccollection, the museum includes six major exhibition galleries touching on a range of topics, from the earliest history of the post office to the art of letter writing and the history of stamp collecting.
2 Massachusetts Ave. NE Washington, DC 20560
Phone: 202.633.9370
Open daily 10am to 5:30pm.