For a century and a half, the Smithsonian Institution has stood as America’s great museum and research complex, a place where adventure, discovery, and wonder converge. In this richly illustrated volume, James Conaway traces the Smithsonian’s evolution from its 19th-century origins to its modern role as a global center of knowledge. With stories of explorers, scientists, curators, and visionaries, The Smithsonian: 150 Years of Adventure, Discovery, and Wondercelebrates the treasures of human achievement and the natural world preserved within its walls. From the Wright brothers’ flyer to dazzling works of art, the book offers readers a journey through history, science, and culture—an invitation to experience the magic of the “nation’s attic.”