Inside the Smithsonian’s Secret Archives of Earth’s History

The Smithsonian Institution maintains a vast collection of over 155 million items across 20 museums and various off-site storage facilities. These archives, which span more than 11 million square feet of exhibition and storage space in Washington, D.C., suburban Maryland and New York City, document the history of Earth’s inhabitants through a diverse array of biological and technological artifacts.

Because of the sheer scale of the collection, only about one percent of the items are on display to the public at any given time. The remaining 99 percent are housed in storage areas and archives, some of which are accessible only to select visitors and researchers.

Biological and Natural History Archives

Within the National Museum of Natural History, the Entomology Archive serves as a critical repository for scientific study. These storerooms contain specimens that provide insight into the natural world, including rare examples such as one of Earth’s largest birds.

The institution’s records and collections are designed to document scientific exploration and the history of the American experience. These archives allow researchers to track biological changes and the evolution of species, contributing to a broader understanding of international cultural and scientific development.

Cultural and Technological Records

Beyond biological specimens, the Smithsonian’s storage facilities house a wide range of technological and cultural artifacts. At the National Museum of American History, storage cabinets contain iconic items including:

• Ray Bolger’s Scarecrow costume from The Wizard of Oz
• Jerry Seinfeld’s puffy shirt
• Mister Rogers’ red sweater
• The original stopwatch used by the television news program 60 Minutes

the Smithsonian American Art Museum utilizes the Luce Foundation Center for visible storage, where paintings and sculptures are kept in a manner that remains available to the public.

Institutional Foundation and Scope

The institution was established following a 1829 bequest of approximately $500,000 from James Smithson, a British scientist. Smithson intended for the funds to create an establishment for the increase and diffusion of knowledge.

The current scope of the Smithsonian’s holdings is immense, ranging from slingshots to space shuttles, ants to elephants. These collections are managed through the Smithsonian Institution Archives, which hold records documenting the people, events, buildings, and research associated with the institution.

The archives continue to be a primary source for uncovering archaeological and technological secrets. This includes the ongoing investigation of hidden archives to reveal the secrets behind America’s development and the natural history of the planet.