Rotunda, National Museum of Natural History

Member Events

As a member of the James Smithson Society, you will receive complimentary tickets and invitations to exclusive, behind-the-scenes tours and private receptions. Click here to see a calendar of upcoming events.

Recent Events

Members of the Smithson Society community have recently enjoyed these special opportunities:

March 2011 – Arctic Studies Center, Anchorage: Conference Call

Dr. Aron Crowell, Alaska Director of the Smithsonian's Arctic Studies Center, shares details of the exhibition "Living Our Cultures, Sharing Our Heritage: The First Peoples of Alaska."

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March 2011 – National Museum of Natural History

Lecture: Dinosaurs - New Fossils, New Thinking


January 2011 – National Air and Space Museum

Members and guests enjoyed a special after-hours reception on January 13 to view the re-installed permanent exhibition, The Barron Hilton Pioneers of Flight Gallery, at the National Air and Space Museumhosted by Museum Director General Jack Dailey. The Pioneers of Flight exhibition contains an incredible assortment of aircraft and exhibits about people pushing the technological or social limits of flight, each element of the gallery representing a pioneering step.


November 2010 – Sackler Gallery of Art

Members-only viewing of special exhibitions at the Sackler Gallery that showcase ancient Cambodian bronzes.


October 2010 – Smithsonian American Art Museum

Members-only viewing of the Norman Rockwell exhibition at the Smithsonian American Art Museum that showcase the works of the artist.


May 2010– James Smithson Society Annual Members’ Weekend

The James Smithson Society’s 2010 Members’ Weekend was held May 13-15, 2010. Throughout the weekend, members experienced many of the Smithsonian museums and research centers through receptions, tours, and opportunities to meet with Smithsonian leadership.

The Saturday evening black-tie celebration dinner was held at the National Air and Space Museum's Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia.


October 2009 – Reception at National Museum of American History

Members at the Partner/Researcher level and above attended a special after-hours reception at the National Museum of American History, which had reopened to the public on November 21, 2008, following an intensive, two-year renovation.

Current exhibitions on all 3 floors were open for members’ viewing, with staff and docents present to guide members through the galleries. The evening included musical entertainment by a trio of musicians from the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra, and two historic theater performances - Join the Student Sit-Ins at the Greensboro Lunch Counter and War Letters Home. Museum Director Brent Glass hosted a special pre-reception exclusively for members of the James Smithson Society in the new exhibition, On the Water.

Recent Events
March 2011: conference call
 
March 2011: Lecture: New Fossils, New Thinking
Dinosaur Hall, NMNH
 
February 2011: John Quincy Adams Circle dinner
John Quincy Adams
 
January 2011: Pioneers of Flight reception
Pioneers of Flight Gallery
 
November 2010: Gods of Angkor Exhibit
Gods of Angkor Exhibit Event
 
October 2010: Norman Rockwell Exhibition
Norman Rockwell Exhibit Event
 
October 2009: NMAH Historic theater performances
 
Click here to see a calendar of upcoming events.