S. Dillon Ripley Center

The S. Dillon Ripley Center is a research museum on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., extending across multiple underground levels. It houses galleries, conference spaces, and educational facilities tucked beneath a distinctive pagoda-style entrance.

The center was established as part of an initiative to expand scientific education and research opportunities, named after a former Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution. This founding reflects the institution's long-standing commitment to making knowledge accessible to the public.

The center hosts rotating exhibitions dedicated to science, natural history, and environmental subjects, showing how these topics connect to everyday life. Visitors can observe how the institution makes these themes accessible to different age groups through its displays.

The center sits at 1100 Jefferson Drive SW and connects underground to the Sackler Gallery, National Museum of African Art, and Freer Gallery. This underground network makes it easy to explore multiple museums during one visit.

The center operates an Art Collectors Program that sells limited-edition prints from American artists, each with a Smithsonian Certificate of Authenticity. This program connects art-loving visitors with local artists while providing a tangible keepsake from the museum visit.

Location: Washington, D.C.

Part of: Smithsonian Institution

Website: http://si.edu/Museums/ripley-center

GPS coordinates: 38.88860,-77.02690

Latest update: December 8, 2025 20:01