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- 1Smithsonian becomes latest target in Trump's culture war●How the Smithsonian became the latest front in Trump's culture war
The Smithsonian Institution, America's national museum network, has emerged as a new flashpoint in President Trump's culture war, according to a ProPublica report focusing on the National Museum of American History. The article examines how the administration is pressuring the institution over its historical exhibits and framing of American history, drawing criticism and attention to questions of political interference in cultural institutions.
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The Smithsonian is highlighting Indian peace medals, the engraved medallions once presented by colonial and US authorities to Native American leaders as tokens of alliance and diplomacy. The feature traces how these objects functioned as instruments of negotiation and symbolic friendship, while also reflecting the shifting and often coercive relations between Indigenous nations and expanding governments. The medals remain significant artifacts for understanding early American diplomatic practice and Native American history.
- 3Smithsonian Invites Donors to Follow James Smithson's Legacy Example▼The Smithsonian Began With James Smithson's Legacy Gift. Today, the Smithsonian Education Legacy Society Invites Others to Carry His Vision Forward
The Smithsonian Institution, which was founded in 1846 thanks to a bequest from British scientist James Smithson, is highlighting its Education Legacy Society, which encourages supporters to include the institution in their estate plans. The Smithsonian says the society lets donors carry forward Smithson's vision of increasing and diffusing knowledge for future generations.