National Portrait Gallery USA

We tell the story of the U.S. by portraying the people who shape the nation's history, development, and culture. #myNPG | Legal:

[National Portrait Gallery USA @smithsoniannpg]

Best known for his role as Hikaru Sulu on Star Trek, George Takei was born #OnThisDay in Los Angeles, California, in 1937.

Live long and prosper, George Takei! 🖖🛸 ⁣

📸: https://t.co/vhmsBHX6Ey

[National Portrait Gallery USA @smithsoniannpg]

Aretha Franklin was born #OnThisDay in 1942 in Memphis, Tennessee. Franklin became the "Queen of Soul" by merging a background in gospel with influences from jazz, rhythm and blues, and pop music. #WomensHistoryMonth

📸: https://t.co/viNKJf1GeE
(detail) © Anthony Barboza

[National Portrait Gallery USA @smithsoniannpg]

Due to inclement weather, today, Monday, Mar. 16, Smithsonian museums in the DC area including the National Zoo will close at 2 p.m. ET.

[National Portrait Gallery USA @smithsoniannpg]

In this playful group portrait, Sarah Weston Seaton’s son Augustine dangles a few cherries just beyond the reach of his sister, Julia. He holds a book that makes his purpose clear: “The Art of Teasing Made Easy.” 📚🍒

🖼️: Charles Bird King, c. 1815
🏛️: On view on the 1st floor

[National Portrait Gallery USA @smithsoniannpg]

#OnThisDay in 1909, Wilbur Wright and his brother Orville Wright became the first Americans to join the L'Aero Club De France. Pictured here is his membership pass. ✈️

These photos were taken by his friend Léon Bollée. Read the rest over on our Instagram https://t.co/NgO2h87jRm

[National Portrait Gallery USA @smithsoniannpg]

All dressed up and ready for midnight this #NewYearsEve! 🪩 This sparkly portrait of musical theatre singer Muriel Smith was taken by Carl Van Vechten c. 1943.

[National Portrait Gallery USA @smithsoniannpg]

Today we remember globally recognized architect Frank Gehry. He designed several famous buildings like the Guggenheim museum and the Disney Concert Hall.⁣⁣
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This portrait of Gehry was taken by photographer Abe Frajndlich in 1987.

📸: https://t.co/n6MOqLWu5v

[National Portrait Gallery USA @smithsoniannpg]

On December 12, visit the portraits of Joy Harjo, Jamie Dimon, Temple Grandin, and Steven Spielberg in the "Portrait of a Nation: 2025 Honorees" exhibition: https://t.co/whEVOfDyiD

#PortraitOfaNation

[National Portrait Gallery USA @smithsoniannpg]

Four new portraits are making their way into the @smithsoniannpg!

This fall, the portraits of Joy Harjo, Jaime Dimon, Temple Grandin, and Steven Spielberg will be displayed at the museum as part of the “Portrait of a Nation: 2025 Honorees” exhibition.

[National Portrait Gallery USA @smithsoniannpg]

The National Portrait Gallery will reopen on Sunday, Nov. 16. Cafe options may be limited. For information about the reopening dates of other Smithsonian museums, research centers, and the National Zoo, please see https://t.co/W2K3pjtnpO.

[National Portrait Gallery USA @smithsoniannpg]

The Smithsonian is in the process of reopening our museums, research centers, and the National Zoo.

For the latest updates and opening information, please visit https://t.co/W2K3pjtVfm and check back regularly as information may change.

[National Portrait Gallery USA @smithsoniannpg]

Due to the government shutdown, we are temporarily closed beginning on Sunday, Oct. 12, along with Smithsonian museums, research centers, and the National Zoo. We will update our operating status as soon as the situation is resolved.

[National Portrait Gallery USA @smithsoniannpg]

It’s our birthday! 🏛️🙂‍↕️ As the National Portrait Gallery turns 57 today, we’re heading over to @SILibraries to look at one of the very first National Portrait galleries.

Learn more on our Instagram: https://t.co/k48oBx620B

[National Portrait Gallery USA @smithsoniannpg]

🕷️ In 1991, Raúl Juliá delivered his rendition of Gomez Addams in “The Addams Family." Director Barry Sonnenfeld said, “Raúl Juliá was born to play Gomez."

Find out why on our Instagram: https://t.co/5rOe9U6PhE
#SmithsonianHHM

🖼️: https://t.co/q86Hd6nwBB

[National Portrait Gallery USA @smithsoniannpg]

Smithsonian museums, research centers, and the National Zoo are open today and will remain open through our scheduled closing time on Saturday, Oct. 11.

For updates and visiting information go to https://t.co/W2K3pjtnpO

[National Portrait Gallery USA @smithsoniannpg]

Have a supercalifragilisticexpialidocious 90th birthday, Julie Andrews!

☂️ Do you know the story of how she was cast as Mary Poppins in her breakthrough role? Read that story over on our Instagram: https://t.co/EKW28vtzDF

🖼️: https://t.co/UI5POru9Ox
Gift of Time magazine

[National Portrait Gallery USA @smithsoniannpg]

In the event of a government shutdown, Smithsonian museums, research centers, and the National Zoo will remain open through at least Monday, Oct. 6.

The Smithsonian will use prior-year funds still available to us to remain open. Visit https://t.co/Pu4Ce5UsPE for updates.

[National Portrait Gallery USA @smithsoniannpg]

Today we remember actor, director, and dedicated environmentalist Robert Redford. He stands here, alongside co-star Dustin Hoffman, in this poster for “All the President’s Men” (1976). Read about his legacy on our Instagram: https://t.co/lsVb3CRn8Q

📸: https://t.co/mIq0FmmrFI

[National Portrait Gallery USA @smithsoniannpg]

Percussionist John Santos is one of the legendary musicians from the San Francisco Bay area’s Afro-Latin jazz scene. This portrait was taken by photographer Frank Espada, who later became one of his close friends. #SmithsonianHHM

📸: https://t.co/JXf8rhcUjT
©1987 Frank Espada

[National Portrait Gallery USA @smithsoniannpg]

During his time, Benjamin Franklin was the most famous American in the world. He remains highly visible today as the face on the $100 bill, which used this portrait as the basis for the engraving in 1995.

🖼️: https://t.co/U5fteN7m9o