Smithsonian Museum

Tourists go to Washington not only to admire the White House and the Lincoln Memorial. They are attracted by the Smithsonian Museum, or rather, a cultural complex that includes 16 museums and galleries. All of them are administered by the Smithsonian Institution, which was founded in 1846. With the money of the English scientist James Smithson for the «expansion of scientific knowledge». In the name of this noble goal Smithson bequeathed to make an entrance to the museum free of charge, and this rule is observed until now.

At the same time, the institute derives considerable income from the sale of souvenirs and putting area for rent restaurants, movie theaters and other places of entertainment .

The Institute has many branches in other cities, organizes exhibitions and Lexion courses, carries out scientific research in various fields – from astrophysics to Indian art. Most museums are open every day from 10 to 17.30.

The most famous building in the complex – National Museum of Natural History. In its halls represented the diversity of life on earth – from ancient fossils to the human. Granite storey house museum built in 1910. In 1999 in the courtyard were built two extensions: one housed the museum service, and the other – the IMAX-art theater, where on the screen with a high-five-story building, you can watch a movie about nature.