Museums

NATIONAL FIREARMS MUSEUM Permanent exhibits tracing the evolution of firearms and their role in the history of the United States. Open daily 10 to 4. 11250 Waples Mill Rd., Fairfax. 703-267-1600.

NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART, EAST BUILDING/EAST BUILDING"In the Forest of Fontainebleau: Painters and Photographers From Corot to Monet," through June 8; "Small French Paintings," indefinitely. Permanent collection of 20th-century art. Open Friday-Saturday and Monday-Thursday 10 to 5, Sunday 11 to 6. Fourth Street and Constitution Avenue NW. 202-737-4215 (TDD: 202-842-6176).

NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART, WEST BUILDING"Bronze and Boxwood: Renaissance Masterpieces From the Robert H. Smith Collection," through May 4; "Impressed by Light: British Photographs From Paper Negatives, 1840-1860," through May 4. Permanent collections of European and American paintings, sculpture and decorative arts from the 13th through the 19th centuries, and an outdoor sculpture garden. Open Monday-Saturday 10 to 5, Sunday 11 to 6. Sixth and Constitution NW. 202-737-4215 (TDD: 202-842-6176).

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC"Extreme Dinosaur -- Nigersaurus: Africa's Long-Necked Fern Mower," through Tuesday; "Through the Eyes of the Condor," through Tuesday; "Frogs! A Chorus of Colors," through May 11. Open Monday-Saturday 9 to 5, Sunday 10 to 5. 17th and M streets NW. 202-857-7588.

NATIONAL MUSEUM OF AMERICAN JEWISH MILITARY HISTORY Artifacts, photographs and memorabilia documenting the role of Jewish men and women in the U.S. armed forces. Open Monday-Friday 9 to 5. 1811 R St. NW. 202-265-6280.

NATIONAL MUSEUM OF THE AMERICAN INDIAN Open indefinitely: "Our Lives: Contemporary Life and Identities"; "Our Peoples: Giving Voice to Our Histories"; "Our Universes: Traditional Knowledge Shapes Our World"; "Return to a Native Place: Algonquian Peoples of the Chesapeake"; "Window on Collections: Many Hands, Many Voices." Permanent and rotating exhibitions about the history and culture of Native Americans. Open daily 10 to 5:30. Fourth and Independence SW. 202-633-1000 (TDD: 202-633-5285).

NATIONAL MUSEUM OF HEALTH AND MEDICINE Open indefinitely: "Evolution of the Microscope"; "From a Single Cell"; "Human Body, Human Being"; "To Bind Up the Nation's Wounds." Open daily 10 to 5:30. Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Building 54, 6900 Georgia Ave. NW. 202-782-2200.

NATIONAL MUSEUM OF WOMEN IN THE ARTS"The Book as Art," through April 13; "Louise Nevelson: Dawn's Wedding Feast," through May 18; "Paula Rego," through May 25. Open indefinitely: selections from the permanent collection and the silver collection. Open Monday-Saturday 10 to 5, Sunday noon to 5. $10, students and seniors $8, ages 18 and younger free; free on first Sunday each month. 1250 New York Ave. NW. 202-783-5000.

NATIONAL PORTRAIT GALLERY"Recognize! Hip Hop and Contemporary Portraiture," through Oct. 26; "Kate: A Centennial Celebration," through Oct. 5. Open daily 11:30 to 7. Eighth and F streets NW. 202-633-1000 (TDD: 202-633-5285).

NATIONAL POSTAL MUSEUM"Rarity Revealed: The Benjamin K. Miller Collection," through Jan. 12; "Postal Inspectors: The Silent Service," through Feb. 28. Open indefinitely: "Customers and Communities"; "Airmail in America"; "Artistic License: The Duck Stamp Story"; "Binding the Nation"; "Moving the Mail"; "On the Road," a history of city mail vehicles; "Stamps and Stories"; "Victory Mall," opens Thursday, continues indefinitely; "What's in the Mail for You!"; "The Art of Cards and Letters." Open daily 10 to 5:30. 2 Massachusetts Ave. NE. 202-633-1000 (TDD: 202-633-9849).

NATURAL HISTORY Open indefinitely: "African Voices"; "Butterflies and Plants: Partners in Evolution"; "Forces of Change: Global Links, El Nino's Powerful Reach"; "Frozen in Time: The Iceman"; Korea Gallery; "Life in the Ancient Seas"; "Native Alaskan Cultures"; "T-Rex"; "Discovering Rastafari," through Nov. 8; Kenneth E. Behring Hall of Mammals; Janet Annenberg Hooker Hall of Geology, Gems and Minerals; Discovery Center; Orkin Insect Zoo. Open daily 10 to 5:30. 10th and Constitution NW. 202-633-1000 (TDD: 202-633-5285).

NAVAL HERITAGE CENTER Permanent and rotating exhibits of ship models, artifacts, photographs and memorabilia. Open Monday-Saturday 9:30 to 5. U.S. Navy Memorial, 701 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. 202-737-2300.