Ahead of his planned trip to the edge of space, owner of Blue Origin and former Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos has donated USD200 million to the Smithsonian Institution.
The donation is the largest gift to the Smithsonian since the Institution’s founding gift from James Smithson in 1846. A USD70 million portion of the donation will support the renovation of the National Air and Space Museum and $130 million will launch a new education centre at the museum.
The education centre will be housed in a new facility to be constructed on the east side of the museum’s plaza at its flagship location on the National Mall. It will feature programs and activities that inspire students to pursue innovation and explore careers in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics) fields, and it will help teachers better utilise the Smithsonian’s collections.
The new centre will be named the Bezos Learning Centre in honor of his donation.
Since its founding, the Smithsonian Institution has been committed to inspiring generations through knowledge and discovery. It is the world’s largest museum, education and research complex, consisting of 19 museums, the National Zoological Park, education centres, research facilities, cultural centres and libraries. The total number of objects, works of art and specimens at the Smithsonian is estimated at nearly 155 million, of which nearly 146 million are scientific specimens at the National Museum of Natural History.
The gift will also help enable a technological transformation of the museum’s galleries and public spaces, including the creation of new interactive experiences to inspire visitors, students, teachers and families.
Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie Bunch said: “Since its inception, the Smithsonian has benefited from both federal funding and the generosity of visionary donors.
“Almost 175 years ago, Mr Smithson’s inaugural gift laid the groundwork for this innovative approach, bringing together private philanthropy and public funding. Today, as we emerge from a pivotal moment in history, Jeff’s donation builds on that original tradition and will help us reimagine and transform the Smithsonian.
“This historic gift will help the Smithsonian achieve its goal of reaching every classroom in America by creating a world-class learning Centre with access and inspiration at its heart. We are grateful to Jeff for his generosity and for his passion and commitment to education, innovation and technology. This donation will fuel our nation’s future leaders and innovators.”
Bezos has a long history of supporting the Smithsonian. He was a founding donor to the National Museum of African American History and Culture and has contributed to the National Air and Space Museum. Bezos was honored during the National Portrait Gallery’s 2019 American Portrait Gala with the Portrait of a Nation Prize and was awarded a Smithsonian American Ingenuity Award for Technology in 2016.
“The Smithsonian plays a vital role in igniting the imaginations of our future builders and dreamers,” Bezos said. “Every child is born with great potential, and it’s inspiration that unlocks that potential. My love affair with science, invention and space did that for me, and I hope this gift does that for others.”
