Martin Puryear works in the minimalist vein, producing sculpture that is serenely quiet and poetic. Working with wood and other natural materials, he engages with history, culture, and identity. This is the first retrospective of his art in 15 years.

Donated to the library in 1925, the Benjamin K. Miller collection was the first complete collection of U.S. stamps ever assembled. It has been called the "crown jewels" of U.S. stamp collecting for its variety, depth and rare holdings. The first part of the exhibit will showcase the stamps from before 1894.

'East of the River: Continuity and Change' is a documentation and exhibition project that insightfully explores the development of Washington communities east of the Anacostia River from a provocative yet universal perspective. The timeline covers the region's Native American beginning through the present and into possible futures.

'Taking Shape' presents the two basic types of ceramics produced in Southeast Asia - soft, porous earthenware and high-fired stoneware. Earthenware continues to be used to cool drinking water, cook rice and curries over a wood fire and heat water for reeling silk. Watertight stoneware jars store grains, transport goods for long-distance trade and brew the rice beer essential for hospitality and ceremonies. This exhibition also illuminates the dimensions of international trade that brought southern Chinese ceramics into mainland Southeast Asia. Glazed stoneware dishes, emblazoned with blue or brown floral designs, demonstrate how the shapes and decorations of Chinese ceramics inspired the addition of painted decorations to tableware made in kilns in Vietnam and Thailand. In turn, such ceramics competed successfully in the international trade of the 15th and 16th centuries, reaching distant markets from Japan to Turkey.

This exhibit features Amelia Earhart's key pieces, including photographs and stamps commemorating her flights.

Celebrating Abraham Lincoln's second inaugural ball, which was held March 6, 1865, this exhibition features the invitation, dance card, menu and a gown worn at the ball, as well as engravings illustrating the night's events. It traces events beginning with Lincoln's re-election and inauguration through his assassination and funeral a month after the ball.

Curated by Anne Ellegood, the selection in this exhibit from the important recent acquisitions reflects the great diversity of works ranging from conceptual photography to sculpture.

This exhibition explores recent works by artist Y.Z. Kami. It presents two monumental portraits from his current series depicting individuals in meditation.

Today about 2,000 postal inspectors are at work across the United States investigating crimes against the mail. By visiting the museum and viewing this exhibit, you'll learn more about the inspectors and what their jobs entail. Sometimes called the silent service, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service is one of the oldest federal law enforcement agencies in the country.