Smithsonian's vast collection: 144 million specimens, 99% unseen

The Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C., holds a collection of 144 million specimens, including animals, plants, rocks, fossils, and artifacts. Among them are approximately 30 million insects, over 4 million plants, and more than 7 million fish preserved in liquid-filled jars. The National Anthropological Archives house about 400,000 photographs. Only a tiny fraction is displayed publicly; 99% remains behind the scenes, studied and conserved by dozens of researchers daily. In a video by Great Big Story, museum director Kirk Johnson leads a backstage tour, introducing staff and showcasing parts of the collection.