The National Museum of Natural History

As part of the Smithsonian Museum complex on the U.S. National Mall in Washington, D.C., the National Museum of Natural History (NMNH) receives millions of visitors each year. In 2010, its David H. Koch Hall of Human Origins opened to the public. This 15,000 square-foot gallery is the largest human evolution exhibit in the U.S. This chapter places the hall within the broader context of the NMNH and provides a detailed review of its content. The title question of the hall, “What does it mean to be human?,” exemplifies the concerted effort made to engage visitors, a goal immeasurably enhanced by the artistry of the hall (John Gurche busts and bronzes; illustrations by Karen Carr). A key theme is the adaptability of the hominin lineage across recurrent episodes of dramatic environmental change; while many exhibits include content on climate change, the primacy of this message is a unique aspect of this hall. Additionally, the “How do we know?” questions and answers throughout the hall and three “snapshot” in time mini-theaters target scientific methodology.