Fifty-four million objects. Can you imagine? That’s how many artifacts are housed within the walls of the Smithsonian Museum Support Center. Right here in Suitland Maryland this incredible facility stands. A sprawling complex almost hidden in plain sight.
The Smithsonian Museum Support Center isn’t your typical museum. You won’t find dazzling displays or throngs of tourists here. This is a behind-the-scenes marvel. A place where history is preserved not shown. Opened in May 1983 after a decade of planning and two years of construction it protects a vast portion of the Smithsonian’s collection. Approximately 40% of the Smithsonian’s treasures reside within its walls. Think of it as the Smithsonian’s secret vault a colossal repository safeguarding our shared past.
Five enormous buildings. Each about the size of a three-story football field. They house everything from whale skulls soaking in gigantic tanks to delicate works of art from across the centuries. Imagine the Antarctic meteorites carefully preserved in climate-controlled chambers. Or the vibrant botanical collection thriving in five on-site greenhouses. The scale is breathtaking. The sheer volume of history contained within these walls is simply astounding.
The environment inside is meticulously controlled. The temperature hovers around 70 degrees Fahrenheit with a relative humidity of 45 percent. Every detail is precisely managed to ensure the long-term preservation of these priceless artifacts. This is more than storage. It’s a scientific feat. A testament to human ingenuity in the service of history.
The Smithsonian Museum Support Center isn’t just a storage facility. It’s also a bustling hub of research. The Museum Conservation Institute resides here. So do the Laboratories of Analytical Biology. Scientists work tirelessly to preserve and study these collections. They are using cutting-edge technology. They are making groundbreaking discoveries every day. Their work ensures that future generations will be able to access and appreciate these treasures.
The Smithsonian Museum Support Center houses wet collections. These are 25 million specimens preserved in fluids. It’s the largest such collection in the country. It features state-of-the-art technology for handling flammable liquids. This protects these valuable specimens from deterioration. Even the smallest microscopic organisms are carefully stored and protected.
The Smithsonian Museum Support Center is a testament to the enduring power of human curiosity and preservation. It is a place where history lives and breathes. Where the past is carefully curated for the future. A quiet giant protecting our heritage. A place well worth exploring if you ever have the chance.