Created by an act of Congress in 1846 from the bequest of British scientist James Smithson, the Smithsonian Institution is a collection of cultural and scientific institutes. Most of the increments of the Smithsonian are located in Washington, DC. Making up the organization's governing body are the vice president, chief justice of the Supreme Court, three senators, and three members of the House of Representatives. Among the institutes making up the Smithsonian are the National Air and Space Museum, Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, National Zoological Park, National Museum of American History, and the National Portrait Gallery.