The National Museum of American History, with its incomparable reminders of the nation’s vibrant heritage, is particularly important to Americans in these times. We need reminders of our strengths and our future promise as a nation, and this Museum has much to teach us.

This year’s activities provided a glimpse of the programs we’ll be developing in the future. We introduced The American Presidency and Within These Walls..., two exhibitions whose memorable objects, engaging stories, and educational experiences exemplify the exhibitions we plan to create. We launched HistoryWired, an innovative experiment in crafting a self-directed museum experience exclusively for the Web. And we reported on the Star-Spangled Banner Preservation Project’s preliminary results, which illustrate the intriguing links between science and history.

At the end of the fiscal year I announced my resignation to become executive director and chief executive officer of the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center in Cincinnati, Ohio. My 20 years at the Smithsonian—the last nine as director of the Museum—have been both professionally and personally rewarding. Museums are collaborative enterprises, and so I credit our success to the generosity of our many donors and sponsors, the wise and energetic leadership of our Board, and theimagination and expertise of our staff.

This annual report highlights these collaborative accomplishments and offers a closer look at the Museum that, for many Americans, is the Smithsonian experience.