Smithsonian Mcp Server
Pull CC0 Smithsonian imagery and metadata into agent workflows for landing pages, demos, and editorial products without licensing guesswork.
Overview
Smithsonian MCP Server is a MCP server for the Idea phase that searches Smithsonian Open Access, returns CC0 media, and maps cross-collection object relationships for agent-driven research.
What is this MCP server?
- Search across roughly 19.4M Smithsonian Open Access catalog objects via MCP tools
- Retrieve CC0-licensed images suitable for commercial and indie shipping
- Surface cross-collection connections to narrow themes for content or UI mood boards
- stdio npm package @cyanheads/smithsonian-mcp-server (v0.1.6) or remote streamable-http endpoint
- Requires free SMITHSONIAN_API_KEY from api.data.gov signup (instant approval)
- Catalog scale cited: 19.4M Smithsonian Open Access objects
- Package version: 0.1.6 (@cyanheads/smithsonian-mcp-server)
- Transports: stdio npm and streamable-http remote
Community signal: 1 GitHub stars.
What problem does it solve?
Solo builders waste hours hunting rights-safe historical imagery and scattered museum metadata instead of shipping copy and UI.
Who is it for?
Indie builders sourcing CC0 hero images, exhibit-inspired branding, or research-backed storytelling before they lock a visual theme.
Skip if: Teams that need guaranteed uptime SLAs, private collections, or fine-grained rights beyond Smithsonian Open Access terms.
What do I get? / Deliverables
Your agent can query millions of open objects, pull CC0 assets with citations, and feed validated visuals into the next prototype or content draft.
- Structured search hits from Smithsonian Open Access
- CC0 image URLs and object metadata for downstream design or content
- Cross-collection relationship hints for narrowing creative direction
Recommended MCP Servers
Journey fit
Canonical shelf is Idea because builders usually discover and vet visual assets before they commit to a brand direction or prototype. Research fits open-access search, cross-collection discovery, and picking reference media before build.
How it compares
Museum open-data MCP integration, not a generative image skill or stock-photo marketplace.
Common Questions / FAQ
Who is Smithsonian MCP Server for?
Solo and indie builders using MCP agents who need searchable, CC0 Smithsonian assets during early research and content planning.
When should I use Smithsonian MCP Server?
Use it in the Idea or early Validate phase when you are exploring themes, mood boards, or landing visuals backed by real museum objects.
How do I add Smithsonian MCP Server to my agent?
Register a free SMITHSONIAN_API_KEY at api.data.gov, install @cyanheads/smithsonian-mcp-server, add the stdio or remote MCP URL to Claude Code or Cursor, then invoke search tools from the catalog.