Brief
Smithsonian launches AI project to link American Revolution artifacts
The initiative aims to surface hidden stories from 1770‑1810 by digitising and analysing thousands of items.
By Felo News Desk · Published
The Smithsonian Institution has begun using artificial‑intelligence models in a project called Revolution Crossroads to connect artifacts from the American Revolution with records at the Library of Congress, the outlet Independent reported on Oct. 3, 2026.
What happened
Researchers started applying AI in the spring of 2026 and have already identified about 10,000 objects dating from 1770 to 1810. The team digitised, and in some cases re‑digitised, these items to make them searchable by the AI system. One early success linked a 1774 newspaper advertisement for a creamer placed by a silversmith with a similar item in the National Museum of American History.
What the reports add
The Independent notes that the AI can draw connections that would previously have required extensive manual catalog searches across multiple institutions. It also highlights that the project is intended to help scholars and the public discover stories of ordinary people whose names have faded from history.
What was said
Becky Kobberod, chief digital and innovation officer at the Smithsonian, said the goal is to “add to the public record” by surfacing lives of community builders rather than only famous figures such as Thomas Jefferson or George Washington. Natalie Buda Smith, director of digital strategy at the Library of Congress, said the work “opens up those doors” so researchers can see that a story may begin at the Smithsonian and continue at the Library of Congress.
How it came about
The project aligns with the Smithsonian’s long‑standing role of curating U.S. history since its founding in 1846 and comes at a time when the institution faces political scrutiny from President Donald Trump. By leveraging AI, the museum hopes to modernise its collections and provide a richer, more inclusive narrative of the nation’s founding era.
Key facts
- The Smithsonian’s Revolution Crossroads project uses AI to link 10,000 Revolution‑era objects with Library of Congress records. (independent.co.uk)
- Researchers began applying AI models in spring 2026. (independent.co.uk)
- A 1774 newspaper advertisement for a creamer was linked to a similar Smithsonian artifact. (independent.co.uk)
- Becky Kobberod said the aim is to add to the public record by highlighting ordinary community members. (independent.co.uk)
- Natalie Buda Smith said the project opens doors for researchers across institutions. (independent.co.uk)
Sources
- [1] independent.co.uk — originally reported as “How the Smithsonian is using AI to connect artifacts from the American Revolution”
