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The First Hundred Years of the Smithsonian Institution, 1846- 1946

Catalog Data

Author:
True, Webster Prentiss b. 1892  Search this
Subject:
Mann, William M. 1886-1960  Search this
Hornaday, William Temple 1854-1937  Search this
Aldrich, Loyal Blaine 1884-1965  Search this
Powell, John Wesley 1834-1902  Search this
Smithson, James 1765-1829  Search this
Henry, Joseph 1797-1878  Search this
Baird, Spencer Fullerton 1823-1887  Search this
Langley, S. P (Samuel Pierpont) 1834-1906  Search this
Walcott, Charles D (Charles Doolittle) 1850-1927  Search this
Abbot, C. G (Charles Greeley) b. 1872  Search this
Wetmore, Alexander 1886-  Search this
Arts and Industries Building  Search this
Division of Radiation and Organisms  Search this
United States National Museum Dept. of Living Animals  Search this
International Exchange Service (IES)  Search this
United States Geological Survey (USGS)  Search this
United States Fish Commission  Search this
Freer Gallery of Art  Search this
National Zoological Park (U.S.)  Search this
National Collection of Fine Arts  Search this
Smithsonian Institution Bureau of American Ethnology  Search this
Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory  Search this
Smithsonian Institution Building (Washington, D.C.)  Search this
National Air and Space Museum  Search this
Board of Regents  Search this
Smithsonian Institution Establishment of  Search this
United States National Museum  Search this
Natural History Building  Search this
Smithsonian African Expedition (1909-1910)  Search this
Place:
North America
Date:
1946
Category:
Smithsonian Institution History Bibliography
Notes:
Provides (in frontispiece) List of the Organization of the Smithsonian Institution in 1946, including List of Members of the Establishment, Board of Regents and directors of Smithsonian bureaus. Photos include portraits of Secretaries, James Smithson's crypt, the Herbert Ward African Collection, United States National Museum exhibits, Arts and Industries Building, the Bureau of American Ethnology, field work photographs, Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory field stations, expedition photos, the National Zoological Park, National Collection of Fine Arts portraits, the Freer Gallery of Art and exhibits, the first ladies' gowns, and aircraft in the National Air Museum.
Summary:
Work begins with a discussion of the origin of the Smithsonian Institution, including a biography of James Smithson. Discusses the Smithson will and bequest, and the Congressional debates. Explores the tenure of Joseph Henry and the career of Spencer F. Baird as Assistant Secretary and Secretary. Explains Baird's relationship with government-run expeditions. Explores the birth of the U.S. National Museum, and discusses the organization of the USNM and the responsibility of the scientific staff. Mentions several of the well-known exhibits in each building (Natural History Building, Arts and Industries, Aircraft Building). Discusses Smithsonian publications. One chapter, titled "Indians" is devoted to the history of the study of anthropology, including information on the Bureau of American Ethnology, John Wesley Powell and government-led expeditions and surveys.
Another, "Life Depends on the Sun," is devoted to the history of the Astrophysical Observatory, and includes a study of Langley's aeronautical experiments, as well as the work of Charles Greeley Abbot, Loyal B. Aldrich and the Smithsonian astrophysical observations at field stations and the Division of Radiation and Organisms. "Live animals" focuses on William T. Hornaday and the Department of Living Animals, expeditions led by William M. Mann, and the National Zoo. "Exploring for Science" gives a more detailed history of the explorations and Smithsonian-related expeditions, including the Smithsonian-Roosevelt African Expedition and explorations through the U.S. Fish Commission and the U.S. Geological Survey.
"A Gallery of Art" provides history on art at the Smithsonian and describes the holdings of the Freer, National Gallery of Art and National Collection of Fine Arts. The chapter titled "The Diffusion of Knowledge" is subdivided into discussions of the Smithsonian's publications, including the Contributions to Knowledge and the Smithsonian Miscellaneous Collections, and the appendices of the Annual Reports, the International Exchange Service, and "Other Methods" including radio programs. The last chapter is devoted to a discussion of the Smithsonian in wartime, which includes activities during both World Wars.
Contained within:
(Book)
Contact information:
Institutional History Division, Smithsonian Institution Archives, 600 Maryland Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20024-2520, SIHistory@si.edu
Topic:
Herbert Ward African Collection  Search this
Buildings  Search this
Wartime Activities  Search this
Museum publications  Search this
Ethnology  Search this
Anthropology  Search this
Aircraft Building  Search this
Exhibitions  Search this
Congressional Debates  Search this
Smithsonian Institution  Search this
SI, Early History  Search this
Art objects  Search this
Biography  Search this
Field Stations  Search this
Field Work  Search this
Scientific expeditions  Search this
Secretaries  Search this
Smithsonian Institution Centennial (Event)  Search this
Act to establish the "Smithsonian Institution," for the Increase and Diffusion of Knowledge Among Men  Search this
Airplanes  Search this
Publisher:
Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution
Data Source:
Smithsonian Archives - History Div
EDAN-URL:
edanmdm:siris_sic_3573