The Smithsonian Institution (2369)

The Smithsonian Institution, the world's largest museum complex and research organization, is composed of 16 museums in Washington, D. С and two museums in New York City. The Smithsonian system also includes National Zoological Park, Astrophysical Observatory, International Exchange Service, Canal Zone Biological Area, etc. The Smithsonian, called by the name of its founder – James Smithson, British chemist and mineralogist – represents the treasured icons of the American past, the vibrant art of the present, and the scientific promise of the future.

The Patent Office Building, the third-oldest federal building in Washington, D.C. houses the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery and Smithsonian American Art Museum. Praised by Walt Whitman as "the noblest of Washington buildings", the Patent Office Building has porticoes modelled after the Parthenon in Athens. It is constructed of freestone and sandstone from Virginia, and marble and granite from Massachusetts, Connecticut and Maryland.

The National Museum of American History dedicates its collections, exhibitions, research, publications, and educational programs to inspiring a broader understanding of the American nation and its many peoples. The Museum collects and preserves more than three million artefacts. Their exhibitions explore major themes in American history and culture, from the War of Independence to the present day.

The Smithsonian Institution's Museum of African American history and culture explores American history and society from an African American perspective. The museum encourages the collection, protection and preservation of materials that reflect the history and traditions of families, organizations, individuals and communities.

Assembled at the turn of the 20^th century, the collections of the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of the American Indians are distinguished by thousands of masterworks, including intricate wood and stone carvings and masks, clothing, feather bonnets, pottery and basketry. Works on paper and canvas include ancient drawings as well as contemporary prints and paintings. The museums collections also include ceramics from Costa Rica; beautifully carved jade from the Maya peoples; textile and gold from the Andean cultures and elaborate feather work from the peoples of Amazonia.

The National Air and Space Museum has hundreds of original historic artefacts on display, such as: the Apollo 11 command module Columbia; a Lunar rock sample that visitors can touch; the V-2 ballistic missile, a full-size Space telescope test vehicle; the backup Skylab space station that visitors can walk through. There is a full-scale replica of the Voyager spacecraft which travelled to the outer planets – Jupiter, Saturn, Uranium and Neptune.

Check your comprehension.

1. What is James Smithson? 2. What kind of Institution did he found? 3. What facilities does the Smithsonian Institution include? 4. What does the Patent Office Building house? 5. What is it constructed of? 6. What do exhibitions of the National Museum of American History explore? 7. How many artefacts does this museum preserve? 8. What sides of life does the Museum of African American history and culture reflect? 9. What artefacts does the National Museum of American Indians include? 10. What interesting exhibits does the National Air and Space Museum demonstrate?

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