Quiz: The Smithsonian Institution

By U.S. News Staff

May 29, 2009

How did the Smithsonian Institution initially get its funding?
1. Fundraising by grass-roots organizations
2. The donations of several prominent Washingtonians
3. Taxpayer money
4. A wealthy Englishman left his fortune to the United States.
Which of these museums is not part of the Smithsonian Institution?
1. The Newseum
2. The Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden
3. The National Postal Museum
4. The National Portrait Gallery
The Hope Diamond at the Museum of Natural History is what color?
1. White
2. Pink
3. Blue
4. Black
Which chef’s kitchen is exhibited at the American History Museum?
1. Emeril Lagasse's
2. Rachael Ray's
3. Anthony Bourdain's
4. Julia Child's
The flag that inspired the "Star-Spangled Banner" at the American History Museum flew over what fort in 1814?
1. Fort Sumter
2. Fort McHenry
3. Fort Scott
4. Fort Knox
True or false: The Spirit of St. Louis at the Air and Space Museum is famous for flying nonstop between St. Louis and London.
1. True
2. False
Which masterpiece is permanently housed in the Freer Gallery of Art?
1. Van Gogh's Starry Night
2. Whistler's Peacock Room
3. Michelangelo's David
4. Da Vinci's Mona Lisa
Which of these items cannot be found at the Air and Space Museum?
1. A bicycle manufactured by the Wright brothers
2. A piece of moon rock
3. The Apollo 11 command module
4. Franklin Roosevelt's plane, known as the Sacred Cow