Join Us on the Road!

Smithsonian Associates Overnight Tours for 2023

Our study tours are designed for people who want more than just a getaway: They offer one-of-a-kind experiences combined with opportunities to gain new insights into the topics that fascinate you. Whether you’re a fan of history, art, music, nature, or architecture—or simply love exploring new places—these expert-led excursions offer a year’s worth of tempting travels. Several of our most popular tours return to the schedule, offering you another chance to join us on these adventures—before they sell out again!

Note: All tour dates and content are subject to change.

Outdoor Adventures in Shenandoah National Park

Sun., Oct. 15–Mon., Oct. 16

(on sale July 1)

Celebrate the beauty of Virginia’s Shenandoah National Park as you hike its trails and take in the panoramas from Skyland, your historic lodge nestled along Skyline Drive.

Leader: Keith Tomlinson

The Corning Museum of Glass

Wed., Nov. 1–Sat., Nov. 4

(on sale July 1)

This glass-lover’s dream tour offers a true insider’s experience at the renowned museum, including many curator-conducted sessions.

Leader: Bill Keene

Discover Queens

Sun., Nov. 12–Mon., Nov. 13

(on sale July 1)

Our series of explorations of New York City’s outer boroughs continues with a visit to the largest of all.

Leader: Richard Selden

Unless noted, all programs are presented on Zoom; listed times are Eastern Time. Online registration is required.

A TOP SOMMELIER'S GUIDE TO WINE Spring Wine Adventures

Expand your knowledge of wine as you travel the world with sommelier Erik Segelbaum in delectable wine-tasting adventures. Each immersive program includes a curated personal tasting kit to enhance the experience.

Deutschland Entkorkt: Uncorking Germany’s Best

Germany has some of the world’s most challenging vineyards to maintain. Steep slopes, eroding hills, and climate change all collaborate to make viticulture a harrowing challenge for even the most seasoned winemaker. However, the effort is well worth it. The country’s wines are mainstays of any sommelier’s toolkit for food-and-wine pairings. It’s here where Riesling finds its ancestral home and is readily consumed in all styles from bone-dry to semi-sweet. Germany’s fresh, bright, and food-friendly reds are also comfortably at home on dinner tables all over the world. Erik Segelbaum serves up a delicious exploration of the wines of Germany and their rich histories.

Fri., June 23, 6 p.m.; CODE 1L0-513; Members $65; Nonmembers $75

Wine-tasting kit information: The cost includes curated personal tasting kits with enough wine for one person to sample the full lineup of wines. Additional participants must register individually to receive their own tasting kit, which is an essential component of the series. Each session has separate kits available during two scheduled pick-up times the day before the program, 12–4 p.m. at a location to be announced. Patrons receive additional wine tasting kit pick-up information by email prior to each session. Due to state and federal laws, Smithsonian Associates cannot ship wine kits. However, SOMLYAY may be able to provide kits to participants outside the Washington, D.C., area (who must cover shipping costs). Please contact erik@thesomlyay.com for more information.

A Wine Dinner at Gravitas

Celebrate the start of summer with a delicious evening at Gravitas, a Michelin-starred modern American restaurant by chef Matt Baker dedicated to seasonal cooking and sourcing from local farms and waters. Baker’s four-course menu specially designed for the event showcases the summer bounty of the Chesapeake Bay watershed, and Smithsonian Associates’ favorite sommelier Erik Segelbaum, who leads the popular Wine Adventures series, pairs wines with the courses with a focus on hidden gems. Chef Baker and Segelbaum are on hand to talk about the food and drink.

TWO OPTIONS: Mon., June 5 (CODE 1L0516); Tues., June 6 (CODE 1L0-517); 6:30 p.m.; Gravitas, 1401 Okie St. NE, Washington, DC; Members $250; Nonmembers $280

A Dinner at Moon Rabbit

The Gulf Coast Meets the Mekong Delta

At the nationally celebrated Moon Rabbit restaurant at The Wharf in Washington, D.C., chef Kevin Tien oversees a menu that is a love letter to his heritage as a first-generation Asian American and showcases dishes that tell his life story. His specially designed dinner for Smithsonian Associates’ guests reflects his upbringing in southern Louisiana by pairing Vietnamese traditions with Cajun flavors, resulting in what he calls Viet-Cajun cuisine.

Heavily seafood inspired, the dinner pays homage to the Louisiana Gulf Coast and Mekong Delta, both significant sources of food, culture, and ways of life. Tien, named one of Food & Wine magazine’s 10 Best New Chefs, is on hand to discuss the dishes and their personal connections.

Tues., July 11, 6:30 p.m.; Moon Rabbit, 801 Wharf St. SW, Washington, DC; CODE 1L0-520; Members $120; Nonmembers $150; The ticket price includes a four-course dinner; drinks are not included but can be ordered separately.

Food from the Forest Shopping at Nature’s Grocery

Our native forests, meadows, and wetlands are nature’s grocery store, chock-full of enticing raw ingredients just ready for the picking. Join naturalist and educator at Maryland’s Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary Liana Vitali and Anne Arundel County Park Ranger Victor Jones as they explore the makings of foraged feasts that can be found in the mid-Atlantic region. From fresh, cucumber-like cattail shoots to spicy garlic-mustard pesto (Yes! Eat those invasive plants!), Vitali and Jones lead an evening that serves up video vignettes that include cooking demonstrations of their favorite natural edible treats as well as go-to recipes for noshing on nature—ethically and sustainably of course.

I N SI DE S C I ENCE Please visit SmithsonianAssociates.org to view the FAQ on Health & Safety guidelines

Wed., July 19, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1K0-378; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

The Whole Hog

A Pitmaster’s Celebration of Tradition

African American barbeque has a rich and complex history that spans centuries and continents. Today, there are countless African American barbeque restaurants and festivals throughout the United States, each with their own unique spin on this traditional cooking technique.

In his first cookbook, North Carolina pitmaster Ed Mitchell explores the tradition that made him famous: whole-hog barbeque. It’s one passed down through generations over the course of 125 years and harkens back even further to Mitchell’s ancestors who were plantation sharecroppers and, before that, enslaved.

Barbeque historian and pitmaster Howard Conyers joins Mitchell and his cookbook collaborators, son Ryan Mitchell and food historian and writer Zella Palmer, in a fascinating conversation that surveys the delicious history of African American barbecue.

Ryan Mitchell and Ed Mitchell

Copies of Ed Mitchell’s Barbeque (Ecco) are available for purchase.

Italian Summer Wine Adventures

Spend three fascinating Friday evenings expanding your knowledge of wine as you travel the world with sommelier Erik Segelbaum in a series of delectable wine-tasting adventures. Each immersive program includes a curated personal tasting kit to enhance the experience.

JUL 21 The ABCs of Italian Wine

From Amarone to Barbera, Brunello to Chianti, Chiavennasca, and everything in between, sommeliers know that if an Italian region or grape name starts with A, B, or C, it’s likely to be delicious. And there’s no question that the rest of the letters are well represented in Italian viticulture. Segelbaum explores its grapes and regions in a delightful adult version of Italian-wine ABCs, proving that the alphabet never tasted so good.

AUG 18 Drink Like an Italian Sommelier

Italian wines captivate the hearts, minds, and palates of many American wine lovers, but their consumption is largely limited to a few major varieties and appellations. Reflecting thousands of grape varieties, Italian wine is an immensely complex subject that can make even the most knowledgeable sommelier’s head spin. Segelbaum unravels the subject in a delicious, off-the beaten-path exploration of some wonderful yet lesser-known Italian wines. If you’ve ever wanted to drink like an Italian sommelier, this is the session for you!

SEPT 22 Piedmont Wines Explored

With September marking the start of the Piedmontese truffle season, it’s only fitting to explore the complementary wines of one of Italy’s most famed regions, home to more DOCGs than any other in Italy. While Barolo reigns supreme here, Piedmont’s wines have so much more to offer. Learn why Nebbiolo is named for the famed “nebbia” fog and how Piedmont’s semialpine wines belong at almost any dinner table.

Three-session series: CODE 3WINE2023; Members $175; Nonmembers $200

Individual sessions: Fri., Jul. 21 (CODE 1L0-523); Fri., Aug. 18 (CODE 1L0-524); Fri., Sept. 22 (CODE 1L0-525), 6 p.m., Members $65; Nonmembers $75

Wine-tasting kit information: The cost includes curated personal tasting kits with enough wine for one person to sample the full lineup of wines. Additional participants must register individually to receive their own tasting kit, which is an essential component of the series. Each session has separate kits available during two scheduled pick-up times the day before the program, 12–4 p.m. at a location to be announced. Patrons receive additional wine tasting kit pick-up information by email prior to each session. Due to state and federal laws, Smithsonian Associates cannot ship wine kits. However, SOMLYAY may be able to provide kits to participants outside the Washington, D.C., area (who must cover shipping costs). Please contact erik@thesomlyay.com for more information.

An Introduction to Sake With Tasting

Sake, the national drink of Japan, is making its mark in the United States. Consisting of four key ingredients—rice, water, yeast, and koji (a fermentation agent)—the beverage is transforming the way culinary experts approach food pairings across the world.

Sake expert and professional kikizakeshi (sake sommelier) Jessica JolyCrane of Sake Discoveries discusses the basics behind this historic, yet revolutionary drink. Learn about sake’s history, how it’s made, and how it’s categorized. Joly-Crane analyzes three types of sake based on region, aroma, tasting notes, and pairing ideas. Use your new-found knowledge as you enjoy samples of sake following the presentation.

Thurs., Aug. 10, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1L0-527; Ripley Center; Members $50; Nonmembers $65

Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra Concert Series

In Person

Under the artistic direction of maestro Charlie Young, Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra has celebrated some of the greatest jazz music throughout its 32-year history as one of the crown jewels of the National Museum of American History.

The Duke Ellington Orchestra: A Centennial Celebration

They’ve been called everything from the Washingtonians to Duke Ellington and His Kentucky Club Orchestra to Duke Ellington and His Famous Orchestra (and more). But the Duke Ellington Orchestra under any name maintains an unparalleled place in the history of American music. This year marks the 100th anniversary of this legendary ensemble, and the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra is ready to celebrate its vast musical legacy. Performance selections include “Rainy Nights,” “Harlem Airshaft,” “Charpoy, ”and “The Biggest and Busiest Intersection.”

Sat., June 10, 7 p.m; Baird Auditorium, Natural History Museum; CODE 1P0-781; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

Jane Austen: Forever Fascinating

Why do so many readers throughout the world still clamor for the books of Jane Austen? How did she help reinvent the novel with her powerfully original writing and unique artistic vision? And why is her life the subject of ongoing fascination—and Hollywood movies? Joseph Luzzi, a professor of literature, explores the remarkable career and astonishing life of a woman who overcame countless obstacles to become one of the most revered authors in the literary tradition.

10 a.m. Jane Austen: Life and Work of an Unlikely Legend

11:15 a.m. Sense and Sensibility

12:15 p.m. Break

12:45 p.m. Pride and Prejudice

2 p.m. Persuasion and Concluding Thoughts

Sat., June 3, 10 a.m.–3 p.m.; CODE 1J0-267; Members $80; Nonmembers $90

How Disney Conquered the Entertainment Universe

Over the last nine decades, the Walt Disney Company has played a huge role in transforming every facet of the entertainment business, including feature-length cartoons, television, theme parks, film, Broadway musicals, and streaming services. Media historian Brian Rose examines a remarkable story of creativity and media growth as he traces how the company evolved from a small cartoon studio in 1923 to one of the most powerful forces in worldwide entertainment today.

Mon., June 12, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1J0-269; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

Reading Moby-Dick The World in a Whale

“In its vast spaces and in Melville’s blazingly original style, Moby-Dick is about…the whole world; it willingly incorporates everything,” writes the critic Edward Said. This tale of yearning, obsession, wreckage, and deliverance has drawn generations of readers into its obsessive, unfinished quest.

Readers have seen reflected in its pages the urgent questions of their times, including issues of democracy, race, sexuality, labor, and environment. Diverse artists in astounding number have responded to Herman Melville’s words. Samuel Otter, a professor of English at the University of California at Berkeley, explores topics including the reception of Moby-Dick, ways of reading this surprising and heterogeneous book, and the strange qualities of a work that attempts to “incorporate everything.”

Tues., June 13, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1H0-774; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

Gender, Sexuality, and the Fairy Tale

Fairy tales have a reputation for being conventional, and many of the most famous ones—think Cinderella and Jack and the Beanstalk—appear to be just that. But they can be surprisingly inclusive and wonderfully disruptive to our expectations.

Folklorists Sara Cleto and Brittany Warman share some very old and very unconventional fairy tales and discuss modern LGBTQ+ twists on old tales and traditions.

Tues., June 20, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1J0-271; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

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Henry David Thoreau on Work

Meet your new favorite coworker: Henry David Thoreau. The popular conception of the transcendentalist writer as a navel-gazing recluse who was scornful of work and other mundanities isn’t an accurate one. In fact, Thoreau worked hard—surveying land, running his family’s pencil-making business, writing, lecturing, and building his cabin at Walden Pond—and thought intensely about work in its many dimensions.

In their new book, Henry at Work, authors John Kaag and Jonathan van Bell invite readers to rethink how we work today by exploring an aspect of Henry David Thoreau that has often been overlooked: Thoreau the worker. They reveal that his ideas about work have much to teach us in an age of remote work and automation, when many people are reconsidering what kind of working lives they want to have.

Copies of Henry at Work: Thoreau on Making a Living (Princeton University Press) are available for purchase.

Tues., June 27, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1L0-518; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

Leonard Bernstein: The Man Who Could Do Anything

Anyone who encountered Leonard Bernstein never forgot the experience. Here was the great American maestro and composer of three symphonies, the Broadway tunesmith, the concert pianist and jazzy improviser, the teacher you wish you’d had in 7th grade, and the Jewish musician who wrote Mass for the Kennedy Center’s opening. He was the man who could do anything—and who was an enigma even to himself.

Popular Smithsonian music lecturer Saul Lilienstein, who studied conducting with Bernstein and frequently performed with him, explores the dimensions of his musical contributions. Savor the man’s charisma and learn about the complexities of his life in this engaging seminar highlighted with musical recordings and film clips. It’s the perfect prelude to the upcoming Maestro, a Bernstein biopic in which Bradley Cooper doubles as director and star.

10 a.m. Beginnings

11:15 a.m. In the Concert Hall

12:45 p.m. Break

1:15 p.m. On Broadway

3 p.m. A Personal View

Sat., July 15, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.; CODE 1M2-270; Members $80; Nonmembers $90

Virginia Woolf’s Literary Genius

Why is Virginia Woolf considered one of the most important authors of all time? Join Joseph Luzzi, a professor of literature at Bard College, as he explores Woolf’s remarkable literary contributions. Discover why her innovative writing style, extraordinary emotional insights, and profound level of learning continue to enchant readers worldwide and attract new audiences.

10 a.m. A Masterpiece: Mrs. Dalloway

11:15 a.m. Rethinking a Woman’s Place in the World: A Room of One’s Own

12:15 p.m. Break

12:45 p.m. Reinventing Stream of Consciousness: To the Lighthouse

2 p.m. Identity’s Many Masks: Orlando

Sat., July 15, 10 a.m.–3 p.m.; CODE 1J0-276; Members $80; Nonmembers $90

Virginia Woolf, 1927

1973: The Year in Film

The year 1973 was, to put it mildly, a very dramatic 12 months. But amid all the social change and political crises, from the perspective of 50 years it was a remarkable year of filmmaking throughout the world.

Hollywood was luring huge numbers of moviegoers back to the cinemas with such massive grossers as The Sting, The Exorcist, The Way We Were, and Paper Moon. The studios also released extremely risky, highly personal, director-driven projects such as Mean Streets, Badlands, Last Tango in Paris, and Scarecrow. Meanwhile in Europe, Federico Fellini immortalized his childhood in Amarcord, while François Truffaut paid loving homage to the cinema in Day for Night.

Grab your popcorn and join film historian Max Alvarez as he hosts a multimedia online celebration honoring a fantastic year at the movies.

Thurs., July 20, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1K0-381; Members $30; Nonmembers $35

Carl Reiner and Mel Brooks: Grandmasters of Comedy

For more than seven decades, Carl Reiner and Mel Brooks made America laugh, through either their remarkable solo careers or their legendary partnership. Media historian Brian Rose takes a look at (and gives a listen to) their extraordinary achievements, from their work together on comedian Sid Caesar’s “Your Show of Shows” and their creation of the classic 2,000-year-old man sketches to their accomplishments as writers, directors, and performers. And no one will ever pull off sporting a cocked, broadbrimmed hat and flowing cape like Brooks, even if they live to be 2,000.

Wed., Aug. 9, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1J0-279; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

Ayn Rand: The Controversy Continues

Few people are neutral about Russian-American writer and philosopher Ayn Rand. She generated legions of fans—and detractors—through her bestselling books The Fountainhead and Atlas Shrugged and the philosophy she espoused. As the founder of Objectivism, Rand positioned herself as a defender of the individual who provided a philosophical base for the ideals of the Enlightenment and its greatest political achievement, the United States.

Why is Rand so controversial to this day? Onkar Ghate, a senior fellow at the Ayn Rand Institute, explores some of the central ideas of Rand’s worldview and why they continue to draw both devoted adherents and impassioned rejection.

Tues., Aug. 8, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1H0-778; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

What time does the program end? Unless noted, Smithsonian Associates programs run 1 hour 15 min.–2 hours, including Q&A

Read more about programs in this guide on our website. Search by code or date. Expanded program descriptions, presenters’ information, and more at SmithsonianAssociates.org.

Kurt Weill: Romantic Satirist, Modern Populist

Throughout his career, whether shaping German modernism in Weimar or composing musical theater masterpieces in the United States, Kurt Weill never wavered from his belief that music was a democratic art and that America best embodied that democracy.

Pianist and popular lecturer Rachel Franklin explores the early works that led to Weill’s extraordinary partnership with Bertolt Brecht and traces his subsequent artistic evolution on Broadway working with lyricists including Ira Gershwin, Langston Hughes, and Maxwell Anderson—collaborations that produced such beloved songs as “Speak Low,” “September Song,” “Lost in the Stars,” and “My Ship.” Featured works include Mahagonny Songspiel, The Threepenny Opera, Knickerbocker Holiday, Lady in the Dark, and Street Scene.

Tues., Aug. 15, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1K0-380; Members $30; Nonmembers $35

The Genius of Sergei Rachmaninoff

Reading Faulkner

Chronicler of the Deep South in Literature

He was an uncompromising modernist, a great chronicler of the American South, and an inspiration—as well as immovable obstacle—for the generations of writers who followed. William Faulkner stands as one of the greatest, and one of the most problematic, figures in American literature. A reading series led by Michael Gorra, author of The Saddest Words: William Faulkner’s Civil War, focuses on a trio of Faulkner’s greatest novels: The Sound and the Fury, Light in August, and Absalom, Absalom!

3 sessions: Mon., Aug. 21, Sept. 18, and Oct. 23, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1D0-021; Members $60; Nonmembers $70

Utterly extraordinary as pianist, conductor, and composer, throughout his life Sergei Rachmaninoff bestrode the musical world like a colossus. In his 150th birthday year, popular speaker and concert pianist Rachel Franklin celebrates his prodigious mastery of all these fields through recordings, video clips, and live demonstrations at her piano.

British-born Franklin has been a featured speaker for organizations including the Library of Congress and NPR, exploring intersections among classical and jazz music, film scores, and the fine arts.

SEPT 6 Russian Roots

SEPT 13 Conquering a New World

2 sessions: Wed., Sept. 6 and 13, 12–2 p.m.; CODE 1K0-386; Members $50; Nonmembers $60

Over the Rainbow: The Hollywood Career of Judy Garland

Judy Garland was one of the most talented people to ever set foot in Hollywood. While she was among the greatest live entertainers in show biz history and one of the top recording artists of her time, her appearances in front of the camera remain her legacy. Media historian Brian Rose examines her remarkable Hollywood career, which began in her young teens at MGM and continued with such timeless classics as The Wizard of Oz, Meet Me in St. Louis, Easter Parade, and her stirring comeback in 1954’s A Star is Born Tues., Sept. 12, 12–1:15 p.m.; CODE 1J0-282; Members $20; Nonmembers $25

Tolstoy’s Anna Karenina and Dostoevsky’s The Brothers Karamazov

Two Great Russian Novels

For more than a century, Tolstoy’s Anna Karenina and Dostoevsky’s The Brothers Karamazov have captivated readers with their spellbinding narratives, philosophical brilliance, and insights into human psychology and spirituality. Join Joseph Luzzi, professor of literature at Bard College, as he takes you inside two of the most consequential novels ever written and explores how their insights continue to illuminate our lives today.

10 a.m. A Tale of Two Novelists

11:15 a.m. Anna Karenina: The “Perfect” Novel?

12:15 p.m. Break

12:45 p.m. The Brothers Karamazov: Toward the “Theological” Novel

2 p.m. Anna Karenina and The Brothers Karamazov: In Dialogue

Sat., Sept. 23, 10 a.m.–3 p.m.; CODE 1J0-290; Members $80; Nonmembers $90

High School Classics Revisited

The Scarlet Letter

For many American high school students, reading Nathaniel Hawthorne’s classic novel The Scarlet Letter from 1850 is a literary rite of passage, introducing them to the time’s moral codes and immersing them in the Puritans’ notions of gender, sexuality, and religion. Joseph Luzzi, a professor of literature at Bard College, returns to this touchstone of American literature to see how and why it is still relevant and fresh today. Explore the nuances of Hawthorne’s language and style and the ways in which his vivid characters, especially the embattled protagonist Hester Prynne, and their plights relate to concerns in the modern world.

Thurs., Sept. 14, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1J0-288; Members $30; Nonmembers $35

The Catcher in the Rye

Many young readers list reading J.D. Salinger’s blockbuster novel, The Catcher in the Rye, as one of their most formative and influential experiences with literature. Joseph Luzzi revisits this epochal work to see how it has aged since its publication in 1951, highlighting the ways in which readers throughout the world continue to see themselves reflected in the tormented character of its complex protagonist, Holden Caulfield. Luzzi discusses how Salinger’s novel connects with issues and concerns in postwar American life and their effects on generational struggles.

Thurs., Sept. 28, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1J0-291; Members $30; Nonmembers $35

Art Sci Ence Studio Arts Culture Hi Story Science

Unless noted, all programs are presented on Zoom; listed times are Eastern Time. Online registration is required.

The Geology of Western National Parks

Geologist Kirt Kempter explores the geology of Western National Parks over the course of 2023, with an in-depth look at one or more locations every month. Each program’s content is enhanced by geologic maps, photos, and Google Earth imagery.

JUN 5 Death Valley, California

JUL 10 Yosemite, California

AUG 7 Crater Lake, Oregon, and Lassen, California

SEPT 11 Yellowstone, Wyoming

3-part series: Mon., July 10, Aug. 7, and Sept. 11, 7 p.m;.

CODE 1NV-GE3; Members $60; Nonmembers $75

Individual programs: Mon., June 5 (CODE 1NV-031); Mon., July 10 (CODE 1NV-041); Mon., Aug. 7 (CODE 1NV-042); Mon., Sept. 11 (CODE 1NV-043); 7 p.m; Members $25; Nonmembers $30

Landscape of Change

Historic Acadia National Park

For centuries, the coastal location and diverse landscape of Maine’s Acadia National Park—featuring mountain summits, rocky shores, and wooded valleys— have drawn Indigenous residents, explorers, settlers, and visitors in search of beauty and inspiration. The juxtaposition of landscape has created a unique region and a haven for scientists. Their centuries of written records, specimen collections, and oral histories have provided baselines for understanding environmental change on Mount Desert Island and beyond.

Author and scientist Catherine Schmitt shares the story of science in Acadia. Her book Historic Acadia National Park (Lyons Press) is available for purchase. Thurs., June 8, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1CV-016; Members $20; Nonmembers $25 Bass Harbor Lighthouse, Acadia National Park

Remnants of Life

The New Science of Ancient Biomolecules

We used to think of fossils as being composed of nothing but rock and minerals, but we were wrong. Today, scientists and the new science of ancient biomolecules—pigments, proteins, and DNA that once functioned in living, but now extinct, organisms—are opening a new window onto the evolution of life on Earth. Dale E. Greenwalt, a research associate at the National Museum of Natural History, is your guide to these astonishing breakthroughs.

Greenwalt is the author of Remnants of Ancient Life: The New Science of Old Fossils (Princeton University Press), available for purchase.

Tues., June 13, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1J0-273; Members $20; Nonmembers $25