Contact Us

For efficient service, please read through the following list and contact the appropriate office directly.

I would like to donate an object to the Smithsonian Institution. What should I do?

The Smithsonian acquires thousands of objects and specimens each year for its collection holdings through donation, bequest, purchase, exchange, and field collecting. Each museum and curatorial department decides on a case-by-case basis which objects to add to its collections. Donations are accepted only when the item truly complements the collection. We also consider whether we can properly care for an intended donation, as our collections are held in trust for the American people.

If you are interested in donating objects to one of the following Smithsonian museums, please visit the appropriate webpage:

If you would like to donate objects to one of the following museums, please email directly:

The following museum/s are not currently accepting offers of object donation:

How can I find out if the Smithsonian holds a particular object in its collections and where it might be?

The Smithsonian holds nearly 157 million objects in its collections, distributed among its 21 museums, the National Zoo, libraries, research centers, and storage facilities. Many artifacts are donated to the Smithsonian by individuals, private collectors, and federal agencies; others come to the collections through field expeditions, bequests, exchanges with other museums and organizations, and purchases.

Only a small percentage of the Smithsonian’s vast holdings are on view. Many artifacts not on display are stored in collection study areas in the museums and are available to researchers by appointment. Air- and spacecraft are conserved and stored at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, part of the National Air and Space Museum, in Chantilly, Virginia. Other research collections are housed in Landover and Suitland, Maryland, facilities.

Most of our collections have been cataloged in our Collections database. If you don’t find the object you are interested in listed there, please send as much information about the object as you have to [email protected]; such information as a complete description of the item, its history, how and when it came to the Smithsonian, who donated it, and the museum or facility to which it was donated can help us refer your inquiry to the appropriate collections staff.

Some museums and units may be contacted directly. To either conduct research or inquire about a collection, either send a detailed email or follow instructions at any of the following:

 

Visit Smithsonian Lost and Found to enter a Lost Property Report.

Air & Space Quarterly

Smithsonian Magazine

The Smithsonian does not maintain a centralized mailing list; each membership program maintains its own membership database.

Supporting Members, Smithsonian Associates, and Friends of the Smithsonian may look up their membership online.

For specific inquiries, including a change of address, or to stop receiving mail, please contact the appropriate membership program:

  • For general information on using Smithsonian content, please visit Terms of Use.
  • Each museum and office grants rights to reproduce objects and images in its collections.
  • To determine which museum holds the object or image you are interested in, search our Collections database.
  • For information on how to contact the appropriate office to request rights, please see Rights, Restrictions, and Security Contacts.
  • To explore and access Smithsonian content that you may download and use without permission visit Smithsonian Open Access.

Smithsonian Books

  • Web: www.smithsonianbooks.com
  • Email: [email protected]
  • Phone Orders: 800.733.3000 (Penguin Random House Customer Service)                                                                 

Smithsonian Institution Scholarly Press

  • Web: scholarlypress.si.edu
  • Email: [email protected]                                                                                                                       

Note: DK Smithsonian published by Dorling Kindersley Publishing, Inc. (not Smithsonian)

Smithsonian Store (smithsonianstore.com)

(Please note that merchandise sold online and in the catalog varies from what is available on site in the Museum Stores)

Email: [email protected]

Web:  Contact Form

Phone: 800.322.0344

Museum Stores

See Dine and Shop

Smithsonian Licensing

License a product with the Smithsonian brand or pursue a promotional opportunity.

Product Submissions

Items must reflect the mission of the Smithsonian, generally through a relationship to subjects covered by the Smithsonian's collections.

Product Submission Contact Form

Smithsonian Journeys

Smithsonian Channel

    For visit-planning and Smithsonian-related inquiries

    • Email: [email protected]
    • Phone: 202.633.1000  (recorded information/live voice Monday–Saturday, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.)
    • Address:
      Smithsonian Information 
      Ripley Center, MRC 010 
      PO Box 37012
      Washington, D.C. 20013-7012
    • Staff Mail:
      Employee name
      Smithsonian Institution
      Building name, MRC (if known)
      PO Box 37012
      Washington, DC 20013-7012

    General Inquires

    Email: [email protected]

    Report a Website Security Vulnerability

    Smithsonian Vulnerability Disclosure Policy and Reporting