The National Mall in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
James Smithson
[Founding of the Smithsonian Institution]
Every man is a valuable member of society who by his observations, researches, and experiments, procures knowledge for men…it is in his knowledge that man has found his greatness and his happiness. The high superiority which he holds over the other animals who inhabit the Earth with him, and consequently no ignorance is probably without loss to him no error without evil…the particle and the planet are subject to the same laws and what is learned of one will be known of the other… I bequeath the whole of my prosperity…to the United States of America to found at Washington under the name of the Smithsonian Institution, an establishment for the increase and diffusion of knowledge among men.
James Smithson, 1765-1829
Founder of the Smithsonian Institution
Erected 1964 by Smithsonian Institution.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Education.
Location. 38° 53.457′ N, 77° 1.814′ W. Marker is in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia. It is in The National Mall. Marker is on Madison Drive Northwest east of 14th Street Northwest (U.S. 1), on the right when traveling west. The marker is inscribed on the south
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. John Quincy Adams (here, next to this marker); Common Ground (a few steps from this marker); Ingenuity (a few steps from this marker); Discovery (a few steps from this marker); Healing (within shouting distance of this marker); Memory (within shouting distance of this marker); Joseph Henry (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Common Ground (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Northwest Washington.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 27, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 63 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 27, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
