What do you do?

I am the historian for the history of the Smithsonian

Favorite spot in DC to recommend to visitors

The Arts and Industries Building and surrounding gardens, where I worked from 1973 to 2006. The Arts and Industries Building, originally named the U.S. National Museum building, was the first building built to be the national museum of the United States. I love its beautiful 19th century architecture, the Haupt and Ripley gardens that border it, and the sound of the carousel on the Mall in front of it.

Collection Favorites

July 5, 1850, the day that Spencer Fullerton Baird was hired as Smithsonian Assistant Secretary in charge of the U.S. National Museum. Baird, my favorite Smithsonian employee, devoted his life to creating a great national museum at the Smithsonian.