Citizen Historians Newsletter 9/12/25

Greetings, Citizen Historians.

Just two weeks into our shared effort to stand up for the independence and professionalism of the Smithsonian Institution, our national treasure, more than 575 of you have offered a resounding answer to the question posed above. With your walking shoes, your phones, and your time, you are making an impact.

Here is just a sampling of what the Citizen Historians have captured so far:

National Museum of American History, Floor 2, Rallying Against Racism

National Museum of Natural History, Floor 1, Hall of Human Origins

Renwick Gallery, 1st Floor, Crop Art exhibit.

This sampling is just a small portion of the photographs you have contributed to date, and an even smaller fraction of all that the Smithsonian museums hold, but these three examples offer a taste of the richness and diversity of the Smithsonian’s offerings. They underscore how important the work you are doing truly is.

And we know there is more to come. Some of you will be heading out to your museums this weekend. If you are not yet assigned to a museum, fear not! There are plenty more tasks coming up. Defending our institutions is going to take vigilance from all of us for the foreseeable future.

With thanks and solidarity,

Your fellow Citizen Historians Jim, Chandra, and Jessica