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.
Visitors will be able to see a wide array of rare and never-before-seen specimens pulled from the museum’s total collection of 148 million objects. 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. “As the country marks its 250th anniversary, ‘From These Lands’ presents an opportunity to celebrate the diversity of our landscapes, the depth of our history and the connections that link people and the natural world across borders.”
According to museum organizers, the timeline of the objects spans from ancient history to modern scientific discoveries.
“When you look at the natural history of the United States, you’re seeing a story that stretches back hundreds of millions of years,” said Stewart Edie, co-curator of the exhibition and curator in the museum’s Department of Paleobiology. “The fossils and specimens in this exhibition show how life and landscapes have changed through deep time, from the ancient seas that once covered much of the country to the ecosystems we know today.”
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. A digital version of the exhibition will also be hosted on the museum’s website for those who cannot visit in person.
“From These Lands” is part of a broader, pan-Smithsonian initiative called “Smithsonian’s Our Shared Future: 250,” which is funded through private philanthropy to commemorate the nation’s milestone anniversary. The lead sponsor for the exhibition is Esri, with major financial support provided by Amazon, MidFirst Bank, The Bill and Dianne Ryan Family, and various state-specific donors.
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