Orchids Through Darwin’s Eyes, the 15th Annual Orchid Exhibit, will be held at the National Museum of Natural History from January 24 to April 26, 2009.  This exhibit was developed by the Smithsonian’s Smithsonian Gardens in collaboration with the United States Botanic Garden.

The year 2009 marks the 200th anniversary of the birth of Charles Darwin as well as the 150th anniversary of the publication of his landmark book, On the Origin of Species. Although this book outlined Darwin’s theory of natural selection, it was his subsequent research on orchids which provided additional evidence on how species adapt to their environment.

More information about exhibit

Panorama of exhibit

Orchid Exhibit Family Festival
February 28, 2009 from 10 am to 5 pm
at National Museum of Natural History

Museum goers of all ages will be able to explore the world of orchids at the Orchid Exhibit Family Festival on Saturday, February 28, 2009 when the Smithsonian’s Smithsonian Gardens and the U.S. Botanic Garden offer free activities in conjunction with the exhibition, Orchids Through Darwin’s Eyes. Visitors can participate in a stamp activity, get temporary orchid tattoos, and pot their own orchid.

More information about Orchid Exhibit Family Festival

Exhibition Location
Smithsonian Institution
National Museum of Natural History
10th Street and Constitution Avenue, NW,
Washington, DC

National Museum of Natural History Orchid Exhibit web site

Exhibition Hours
10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., 7 days a week

Transportation
Accessible by Metrorail's Blue and Orange lines (Smithsonian stop)

Parking
Limited on-street parking and nearby commercial lots

Smithsonian Visitor Information
(202) 633-1000
(202) 357-1729 (TDD)
www.si.edu/visit

Horticulture Services Division
The Smithsonian Gardens has been entrusted with the design and management of the Smithsonian's grounds and interior plant displays in Washington, DC., since 1972. SG develops and maintains permanent garden displays, manages horticulture collections, and produces plant-related exhibitions. Its orchid collection, which began in 1974, includes several thousand hybrid and species orchids.

More information about Smithsonian Gardens

United States Botanic Garden
The U.S. Botanic Garden is an institution of public education dedicated to demonstrating the aesthetic, cultural, economic, therapeutic, and ecological importance of plants to the well-being of humankind. Its orchid collection includes more than 12,000 plants representing 900 genera. The U.S. Botanic Garden is under the administration of the Architect of the U. S. Capitol.

More information about U. S. Botanic Garden