Smithsonian Museum Initiative Explores 'Giving in America'

A Smithsonian museum is launching a new initiative exploring the ways giving is woven into American life, whether it's a multimillion-dollar school endowment, nights spent battling blazes by a volunteer firefighter or other contributions of time and money.

The National Museum of American History's announcement of a plan to collect, research and exhibit artifacts documenting the nation's legacy of philanthropy coincides with Giving Tuesday, a movement encouraging philanthropy in a season often associated with consumerism.

"Our goal is to help them understand what it means to be American, who we are as a people, and try to characterize what makes us distinctive," said David Allison, associate director for curatorial affairs.