Stories from the Smithsonian

Solomon Brown: First African American Employee at the Smithsonian Institution

Solomon G. Brown, by Unknown, Smithsonian Archives - History Div, SA-754 and SIA2007-0039.

Solomon G. Brown (c.1829–1906) was the first African American employee at the Smithsonian Institution, serving for fifty-four years from 1852 to 1906. During his time at the Smithsonian, he held many titles and performed many duties in service to the Institution.More

Mary Henry: Eyewitness to the Civil War

Mary Henry, Daughter of Secretary Henry, by Unknown, c. 1855, Smithsonian Archives - History Div, 82-3258.

“We went up into the high tower to see the troops pass over into Virginia.” Mary Anna Henry (1834–1903) wrote this line in her diary on July 16, 1861. Mary Henry was the daughter of Joseph Henry, the first Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution. She lived with her family in the Smithsonian Institution Building, or “Castle” on the National Mall in Washington, DC, from 1855 to 1878.More

William Healey Dall: Alaskan Explorer

William Healey Dall Wearing his Expedition Uniform, by Unknown, July 9, 1865, Smithsonian Archives - History Div, SA-1156 or 2006-18833.

Dean of Alaskan explorations, William Healey Dall (1845–1927) began his scientific career as a member of the Scientific Corps of the Alaskan Western Union Telegraph Expedition in 1865.More

The Wright Brothers: Pioneers in Aviation

Wright Bros. Letter - April 17, 1903

Wilbur Wright (April 16, 1867–May 30, 1912) and Orville Wright (August 19, 1871–January 30, 1948) were the inventors of the first successful airplane. They first wrote to the Smithsonian Institution in May of 1899 to request information about publications on aeronautics.More

Robert H. Goddard: American Rocket Pioneer

Robert Goddard Report - March 1920 - Page 1

Robert Hutchings Goddard (1882-1945) is considered the father of modern rocketry. One of Goddard's many firsts was the successful test of the world's first liquid-propelled rocket.More

James Smithson: Founder of the Smithsonian Institution

James Smithson Engraving, by Heliotype Printing Co, Smithsonian Archives - History Div, MAH 14574 or MAH14574.

James Smithson (1765-1829), founding donor of the Smithsonian Institution, was born in 1765 in France with the name James Lewis Macie.More

James Renwick, Jr., Architect of Smithsonian Buildings

James Renwick Jr. Drawing of the Smithsonian Castle

Architect James Renwick, Jr. (November 1, 1818–June 23, 1895) designed some of the most famous buildings in America. His eclectic style emerged from his background in engineering, his understanding of history, and his worldly views of art and architecture.More

William Temple Hornaday: Saving the American Bison

Hornaday with Baby Bison at Smithsonian, by Unknown, Smithsonian Archives - History Div, 74-12338 or 79-13252 or SA-815.

William Temple Hornaday (1854-1937) was a hunter, taxidermist, zoo director, and founder of the American conservation movement.More

Wilson A. Bentley: Pioneering Photographer of Snowflakes

Wilson A. Bentley, by Unknown, 1925, courtesy of Jericho Historical Society

"My collection [is] far superior in both number & beauty & I might add interest, to that of any other collection in the world...," Wilson A. Bentley.More