The Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History in Washington is opening a massive new exhibition this Thursday, June 18, to mark the upcoming 250th anniversary of the United States. Titled “From These Lands: Sharing Our Natural and Cultural Heritage,” the 5,000-square-foot display features more than 600 items representing all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and five U.S. territories.
Local Connection
Among the pieces on display are 23 items from Florida, including the skull of a juvenile American alligator. The alligator, which is Florida’s official state reptile, first appeared in the fossil record over 13 million years ago and remains a staple of southeastern freshwater wetlands today.
The exhibition is designed to connect local stories with broader national themes, using minerals and organisms selected to represent the specific character of each region. “This exhibition brings the entire country into one gallery—letting visitors encounter the extraordinary breadth of America’s natural and cultural heritage,” said Kirk Johnson, the Sant Director of the National Museum of Natural History.
According to museum organizers, the timeline of the objects spans from ancient history to modern scientific discoveries. The exhibition will remain open to the public for a long-term run through December 2029. To accompany the physical gallery, the museum is releasing a companion book and a print-on-demand, DIY toolkit available in seven languages that explores North American biomes.
Original reporting: Tampa Free Press — read the source article.
