Bezos donates $200 million to Smithsonian, the biggest gift in the museum's history

The Smithsonian said Thursday that Jeff Bezos will donate $200 million to the museum, the largest gift the institution has received since its founding in 1846.

A $70 million portion will go to renovating the National Air and Space Museum and $130 million will be used to launch a new education center. In a release, the museum said the donation from the founder of Amazon and space flight company Blue Origin will also "help enable a technological transformation of the museum's galleries and public spaces." "Jeff's early curiosity about space exploration helped inspire him to think big and act boldly, and as a result he has played a defining role in the expansion of the internet," said Steve Case, Smithsonian Board of Regents Chair and founder of America Online. "We're delighted that Jeff is making this commitment to help us extend the Smithsonian's reach and impact, as we seek to inspire the next generation of scientists, astronauts, engineers, educators and entrepreneurs."