Update, June 2021: While the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History exhibition spaces will partially open to the public on June 18th, our collections and archives remain closed to most staff and all researchers, and the museum’s COVID-19 loan moratorium remains in effect. Currently, there is no capacity to accommodate collections activities including visits, image requests, loans, and shipments. While there is no current date set for when on-site collections activities will resume, we will update as soon as this changes.
We strive to make our vast national collections accessible, both online and in person, to anyone with a research question related to our collections. Visiting researchers include anthropologists, artists, students, historians, descendant families and communities.
Access to the collection is provided by appointment only. We have a limited number of staff members to assist researchers. Therefore, we suggest that you book an appointment at least a month in advance.
