A Good PLace to Start

Wondering what in the world you're going to do your "History of Anything" project on? Browse these sites and databases to get some ideas! OR

IF you know what you want to do, find some resources for your project.

Please remember - history, science, and current culture is full of good AND bad. Also, these are generally reliable as far as source material, but many are secular sites and should be treated with the same care as all internet sources should be. CHESS does not endorse every idea or opinion shared within. Please choose and navigate topics and sources with discretion, as always!

Digital Public Library of America

Digital Public Library of AmericaThe Digital Public Library of America brings together the riches of America’s libraries, archives, and museums, and makes them freely available to the world.

Google Arts and Culture

Google Arts & CultureGoogle Arts & Culture features content from over 2000 leading museums and archives who have partnered with the Google Cultural Institute to bring the world's treasures online.

Explore the Smithsonian!

Explore Smithsonian | Smithsonian InstitutionOur vast collections and the research surrounding them are available to you online on a kaleidoscope of topics—from art to zoology.

Smithsonian Open Access | Smithsonian InstitutionLearn more about Smithsonian Open Access

Welcome to Smithsonian Open Access, where you can download, share, and reuse millions of the Smithsonian’s images—right now, without asking. With new platforms and tools, you have easier access to more than 4.4 million 2D and 3D digital items from our collections—with many more to come. This includes images and data from across the Smithsonian’s 19 museums, nine research centers, libraries, archives, and the National Zoo.