Smithsonian MCP Server

by cyanheadsio.github.cyanheads/smithsonian-mcp-serverv0.3.8

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Active2d ago

Install Smithsonian MCP server

claude mcp add smithsonian -e SMITHSONIAN_API_KEY='<smithsonian-api-key>' -- npx -y @cyanheads/smithsonian-mcp-server

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "smithsonian": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "@cyanheads/smithsonian-mcp-server"
      ],
      "env": {
        "SMITHSONIAN_API_KEY": "<smithsonian-api-key>"
      }
    }
  }
}

Add to ~/.cursor/mcp.json (global) or .cursor/mcp.json (project).

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "smithsonian": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "@cyanheads/smithsonian-mcp-server"
      ],
      "env": {
        "SMITHSONIAN_API_KEY": "<smithsonian-api-key>"
      }
    }
  }
}

Settings → Developer → Edit Config (claude_desktop_config.json), then restart.

{
  "servers": {
    "smithsonian": {
      "type": "stdio",
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "@cyanheads/smithsonian-mcp-server"
      ],
      "env": {
        "SMITHSONIAN_API_KEY": "<smithsonian-api-key>"
      }
    }
  }
}

Add to .vscode/mcp.json in your workspace.

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "smithsonian": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "@cyanheads/smithsonian-mcp-server"
      ],
      "env": {
        "SMITHSONIAN_API_KEY": "<smithsonian-api-key>"
      }
    }
  }
}

Add to ~/.codeium/windsurf/mcp_config.json.

Configuration

Variable	Required	Secret	Description
SMITHSONIAN_API_KEY	yes	—	Required. Free API key from https://api.data.gov/signup — approval is instant.
MCP_LOG_LEVEL	—	—	Sets the minimum log level for output (e.g., 'debug', 'info', 'warn').
MCP_TRANSPORT_TYPE	—	—	Selects the HTTP transport.
MCP_HTTP_HOST	—	—	The hostname for the HTTP server.
MCP_HTTP_PORT	—	—	The port to run the HTTP server on.
MCP_HTTP_ENDPOINT_PATH	—	—	The endpoint path for the MCP server.
MCP_AUTH_MODE	—	—	Authentication mode to use: 'none', 'jwt', or 'oauth'.

Remote endpoints

streamable-httphttps://smithsonian.caseyjhand.com/mcp

Freshness

Active — last maintenance signal 2d ago. The newest of the signals below sets the band.

Last commit (default branch)
2026-10-08 · 2d ago · GitHub
Latest release
2026-10-08 · 2d ago · GitHub · v0.3.8
Package published
no data · npm/PyPI
Registry entry updated
2026-10-08 · 2d ago · official registry · v0.3.8

FAQ

›How do I install the Smithsonian MCP server in Claude Code?

Run: claude mcp add smithsonian -e SMITHSONIAN_API_KEY='<smithsonian-api-key>' -- npx -y @cyanheads/smithsonian-mcp-server. For Cursor, VS Code, Claude Desktop and Windsurf, use the install tabs above.

›Does Smithsonian require an API key?

Yes. It expects SMITHSONIAN_API_KEY.

›Can I use Smithsonian as a remote (hosted) MCP server?

Yes — it offers both a hosted endpoint and a local stdio package.

›Is Smithsonian in the official MCP registry?

Yes, as io.github.cyanheads/smithsonian-mcp-server.