Smithsonian Archive

Wowzas - this is cool!

For the first time in its 174-year history, the Smithsonian has released 2.8 million high-resolution two- and three-dimensional images from across its collections onto an open access online platform for patrons to peruse and download free of charge. Featuring data and material from all 19 Smithsonian museums, nine research centers, libraries, archives and the National Zoo, the new digital depot encourages the public to not just view its contents, but use, reuse and transform them into just about anything they choose—be it a postcard, a beer koozie or a pair of bootie shorts.

And this gargantuan data dump is just the beginning. Throughout the rest of 2020, the Smithsonian will be rolling out another 200,000 or so images, with more to come as the Institution continues to digitize its collection of 155 million items and counting.



The online platform can be accessed here:


The thing is absolutely amazing!  For example, I searched for "HONNOLD".  There were around a dozen results with most of them being photos of plant samples from the early 1900's.  Apparently, there was a place/settlement in Colorado at that time called "HONNOLD":


Definitely gonna have to research into this further!


Grace & Peace & Love to you all -

Matt