In 2026 the United States of America will mark the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, and the Smithsonian Institution will also turn 180 years old. Even as the U.S. and the Smithsonian prepare for these milestones, the museum landscape is shifting as a result of larger societal changes to the way people share, process, and amplify information. Lisa Sasaki, deputy under secretary for special projects at the Smithsonian, will share her reflections on how these moments of consequence can prompt self-examination and generate an opportunity for museums to maintain the public’s trust by better sharing our processes and re-centering visitors when creating exhibitions and programs.