Smithsonian Open Access MCP Server
A Model Context Protocol (MCP) server that provides AI assistants with access to the Smithsonian Institution's Open Access collections. This server allows AI tools like Claude Desktop to search, explore, and analyze over 3 million collection objects from America's national museums.
Quick Start
Option 1: npm/npx Installation (Easiest)
The npm package includes automatic Python dependency management and works across platforms:
# Install globally
npm install -g @molanojustin/smithsonian-mcp
# Or run directly with npx (no installation needed)
npx -y @molanojustin/smithsonian-mcp
# Set your API key
export SMITHSONIAN_API_KEY=your_key_here
# Start the server
smithsonian-mcpOption 2: Automated Setup (Recommended for Python users)
The enhanced setup script now includes:
- ✅ API key validation - Tests your key before saving
- ✅ Service installation - Auto-install as system service
- ✅ Claude Desktop config - Automatic configuration
- ✅ Health checks - Verify everything works macOS/Linux:
