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Smithsonian Bison
2026 is Bison Strong at the National Museum of Natural History
It’s a year of celebration of American’s national mammal: the plains bison.
Bison are extraordinary. These iconic animals have shaped North American ecosystems for more than 100,000 years, anchored the lifeways of Indigenous people, and stand as an enduring symbol of American resilience and determination.
Between 1870 and 1880, bison were nearly driven to extinction. The bison’s remarkable survival story is an inspiring example of widespread collaboration to conserve species and habitat.
Today, individuals, organizations, and Native communities continue to work together to keep the national mammal standing strong.
Bronze Bison on the Move
It’s a bison road trip! This spring, three larger-than-life bronze bison, created by artist Gary Staab, will find a permanent home outside the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. From the foundry in Colorado to the museum’s National Mall entrance, follow their progress across the country—with stops at sites rich in bison-related history along the way.
Bison: Standing Strong Exhibition
A new exhibition, opening May 7, 2026, brings the bison’s incredible story of resilience story to a national audience. Featuring a taxidermy bull bison, the fossil skull of a 100,000-year-old bison ancestor, and objects and personal stories from a range of Native communities, Bison: Standing Strong highlights the national mammal’s long history and promising future.
Imagining Bison Display Cases
What do you picture when you think of a bison? Explore artistic and scientific depictions of the national mammal from the collections of the Smithsonian Libraries and Archives. Through rare books, maps, and other materials, trace how this iconic animal captured our imaginations and helped ignite the species conservation movement. Opening May 21, 2026.
