From May 8 to 21, 1864, a series of bloody conflicts near Virginia’s Spotsylvania Court House interrupted Grant’s advance on the Confederate capital. Civil War historian Ed Bearss covers a number of the area’s battle sites, including the aptly named Bloody Angle, which saw some of the war’s most ferocious sustained combat.

Step into the studios and galleries of noted area glass artists and explore the wide range of their art and their techniques. The tour, led by museum education consultant Shelia Pinsker, is exclusively for members of The Smithsonian Associates.

Monoliths, monuments, tombs, and temples mark the millennia on Sardinia, Corsica, Malta, and tiny Gozo. Archaeologist Robert R. Stieglitz explores the cultural legacies of the little-known prehistoric islanders whose civilizations once thrived here.

After 150 years, the legacy, lessons, and cultural wounds of the Civil War still resonate in our national life, says author Gregg Clemmer. Join him for a provocative discussion that explores how the war “that never goes away” has marked our identity as an often-divided people.

Two veterans of the FBI’s Behavioral Science and Analysis Units reveal why the real-life hunt for notorious offenders is more complex—and often more dangerous—than what fans of crime shows may see.

As Grant and his army made their way to Richmond in May 1864, they were brought up short by Lee’s “hog snout line” on the North Anna River. Historian Ed Bearss follows the 3-day confrontation there.

The blankets and rugs of the Navajo represent more than simply utility and beauty: These iconic woven pieces hold the history of a native Southwestern people in their threads. Textile historian Cecilia Anderson explores their aesthetic and their enduring appeal.

Ever pondered the difference between browning and caramelizing? Or wondered why liquids and solids have separate measuring ups? Food writer and chemist Robert L. Wolke offers insights into how scientific savvy can guide home cooks—and passes plates of brownies—at a practical and entertaining session in the Atrium Cafe’s kitchen.

Celebrate the 200th anniversary of Pride and Prejudice by spending a splendid day immersed in all things Jane Austen (and with sherry and biscuits, too). Sandy Lerner, author and founder of Chawton House Library in Hampshire, England, offers an entertaining look at Regency-era daily life as it might have been experienced by Austen’s most romantic couple.

Grant’s late-May 1864 push toward the Confederate capital at Richmond stalled 10 miles short of its goal when encounters with Lee’s forces resulted in some 13,000 Union casualties. Civil War historian Ed Bearss leads a tour that interprets the 13 days of fighting that centered on the village of Old Cold Harbor.

Through discussion, demonstration, and performance, Rob Kapilow and his guest musicians take you deeply inside major works by some of the greatest composers to help you hear where they came from, what makes them tick, and what makes them great.

Through discussion, demonstration, and performance, Rob Kapilow and his guest musicians take you deeply inside major works by some of the greatest composers to help you hear where they came from, what makes them tick, and what makes them great.

Through discussion, demonstration, and performance, Rob Kapilow and his guest musicians take you deeply inside major works by some of the greatest composers to help you hear where they came from, what makes them tick, and what makes them great.