This accession consists of the Arts and Industries Building website as it existed on March 18, 2020. The website was maintained by the Smithsonian Facilities, Office
of Planning, Design, and Construction and includes information about the history, architecture, and revitalization of the Smithsonian Institution's second building which was
completed in 1881. It also includes a biographical page about Rachel Goslins who was hired in 2016 as the first director of the Arts and Industries Building. Shortly after
this crawl, ownership of the website would be transferred from Smithsonian Facilities to the Arts and Industries Building and shift focus from the building itself to the events
and programs happening inside of it. Materials are in electronic format.
This accession documents the renovation of the Arts and Industries Building. Between 2011 and 2014, a live video feed of the construction project was broadcast via
the EarthCam Network's website and also recorded. The recordings were later used to create two time-lapse videos - one from the perspective of each camera - which were also
hosted on the EarthCam Network website. This accession consists of ten screenshots from each of the two videos, captured as .pdf files on November 20, 2019. Materials are
in electronic format.
Most of the correspondence is directed to Goode, with lesser amounts to True, Walcott, and Rathbun. Also, a small amount of correspondence is addressed to the Secretary
of the Smithsonian Institution, (Baird, 1878-1887; and Samuel P. Langley, 1887-1906) but is generally referred to the Assistant Secretary for response.
Much of the material is routine correspondence from the general public, and deals with offers to sell and collect specimens, the identification of artifacts and specimens,
museum administration, and requests for publications. Also evident is correspondence from contractors, publishing houses, and other firms conducting business transactions
with the United States National Museum. A large part of the international scientific community corresponded with the United States National Museum, and many letters concerning
19th century science and scientific affairs are contained in this collection. A large quantity of correspondence exists from museums, scientists, various scientific institutions,
and colleges and universities. Once again, much of the correspondence is routine, concerning exhibits, museum administration, requests for publications, and the exchange of
specimens. A voluminous amount of material regards United States National Museum publications. However, most of the correspondence concerns the technical production of the
manuscripts, rather than the content. Materials of special interest include correspondence from collectors and naturalists in the field, plans and accounts of scientific expeditions,
and data on significant accessions. A small amount of outgoing correspondence appears in the collection.
See Record Unit 112 for outgoing correspondence.
Historical Note:
These records comprise the primary incoming correspondence of the officer in immediate charge of the United States National Museum. Beginning in 1850 with the appointment
of Spencer F. Baird, the primary responsibility of the Assistant Secretary was the direction of the United States National Museum. The Assistant Secretary also performed other
functions at the direction of the Secretary, and for various periods of time was in charge of publications, exchanges, and other areas. Incumbents included: (1) Spencer F.
Baird, 1850-1878; (2) George Brown Goode, 1880-1896, including the years 1880-1887 when he served as assistant director of the museum without the title of Assistant Secretary;
(3) Charles D. Walcott, Acting Assistant Secretary, 1897-1898; (4) Richard Rathbun, 1897-1918. After Goode's death in 1896, the business of the office was administered for
a time by the executive curator, Frederick William True.
Restrictions:
Inquiries related to specimens should be directed to the appropriate museum registrar.
Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 189, Smithsonian Institution. Assistant Secretary in charge of the United States National Museum, Correspondence and Memoranda
6.58 cu. ft. (6 record storage boxes) (1 tall document box)
Type:
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Manuscripts
Black-and-white photographs
Exhibition catalogs
Brochures
Pamphlets
Newsletters
Date:
1916, 1922, 1929-1930, 1946-1984
Descriptive Entry:
These records document the opening of the National Collection of Fine Arts and the National Portrait Gallery in the Patent Office Building in 1968. Included are press
kits; photographs; development files; pamphlets of the opening; catalogs from the Henry Ward Ranger exhibition, 1929-1930; an annotated copy of Catalog of Collections,
volume I, 1922, by William Henry Holmes; and minutes of the Smithsonian Art Commission, 1963-1964. There is also one folder devoted to the bequest of Reverend Bruce Hughes
of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, to establish the "Hughes Alcove" and fund efforts to amass "a reference library of art works" for study.
Also included are newsletters, library count sheets, policies, minutes of meetings, surveys, a variety of reports, brochures, volunteer and internship information, and
other records. Some materials date to when the museum was known as the National Gallery of Art.
Historical Note:
The Fine Arts and Portrait Gallery Library was established in 1965 as a joint operation of the National Collection of Fine Arts (NFCA) and the National Portrait Gallery
(NPG) and was originally housed in the Arts and Industries Building. In 1968, the two museums moved into the newly-renovated Old Patent Office Building, renamed the Fine Arts
and Portrait Gallery Building, where the Library continued as before. In 1980, the Library became the National Museum of American Art and Portrait Gallery Library (AA&PG)
as a result of the name change.
William B. Walker was hired as Librarian in 1965 and held that position until 1979. Katherine Ratzenberger was named Acting Librarian in 1980 followed by Acting Librarian
Susan Gurney in 1981. Cecilia H. Chin served as Librarian of AA&PG Library, 1982- .
No access restrictions Many of SIA's holdings are located off-site, and advance notice is recommended to consult a collection. Please email the SIA Reference Team at osiaref@si.edu
Currently stored in box 1.2.16 [17], moved from [16].
View of John Bull locomotive on display in the Arts and Industries Building, Smithsonian Institution.
Collection Restrictions:
Collection is open for research but is stored off-site and special arrangements must be made to work with it. The original glass plate is available for inspection if necessary in the Archives Center. A limited number of fragile glass negatives and positives in the collection can be viewed directly in the Archives Center by prior appointment. Contact the Archives Center for information at archivescenter@si.edu or 202-633-3270.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
No access restrictions. Many of SIA's holdings are located off-site, and advance notice is recommended to consult a collection. Please email the SIA Reference Team at osiaref@si.edu
No access restrictions. Many of SIA's holdings are located off-site, and advance notice is recommended to consult a collection. Please email the SIA Reference Team at osiaref@si.edu
No access restrictions. Many of SIA's holdings are located off-site, and advance notice is recommended to consult a collection. Please email the SIA Reference Team at osiaref@si.edu
No access restrictions. Many of SIA's holdings are located off-site, and advance notice is recommended to consult a collection. Please email the SIA Reference Team at osiaref@si.edu
Arts and Industries Building (Washington, D.C.) Search this
Century of Progress International Exposition (1933-1934 : Chicago, Ill.) Search this
Physical description:
4 x 3.25;
Type:
Lantern slides
Date:
1930
1930s
Local number:
SIA Acc. 12-492 [SIA2012-2763]
Restrictions & Rights:
No access restrictions Many of SIA's holdings are located off-site, and advance notice is recommended to consult a collection. Please email the SIA Reference Team at osiaref@si.edu
Arts and Industries Building (Washington, D.C.) Search this
Century of Progress International Exposition (1933-1934 : Chicago, Ill.) Search this
Physical description:
4 x 3.25;
Type:
Lantern slides
Date:
1890
Circa 1890s
Local number:
SIA Acc. 12-492 [SIA2012-2764]
Restrictions & Rights:
No access restrictions Many of SIA's holdings are located off-site, and advance notice is recommended to consult a collection. Please email the SIA Reference Team at osiaref@si.edu
Arts and Industries Building (Washington, D.C.) Search this
Century of Progress International Exposition (1933-1934 : Chicago, Ill.) Search this
Physical description:
4 x 3.25;
Type:
Lantern slides
Date:
1890
Between 1890 and 1930
Local number:
SIA Acc. 12-492 [SIA2012-2766]
Restrictions & Rights:
No access restrictions Many of SIA's holdings are located off-site, and advance notice is recommended to consult a collection. Please email the SIA Reference Team at osiaref@si.edu
Arts and Industries Building (Washington, D.C.) Search this
Century of Progress International Exposition (1933-1934 : Chicago, Ill.) Search this
Physical description:
4 x 3.25;
Type:
Lantern slides
Date:
1900
Between 1900 and 1930
Local number:
SIA Acc. 12-492 [SIA2012-2767]
Restrictions & Rights:
No access restrictions Many of SIA's holdings are located off-site, and advance notice is recommended to consult a collection. Please email the SIA Reference Team at osiaref@si.edu