Every Collection has a Story. The Archives holds records that document the Smithsonian’s people, events, buildings, and research. The history of the Smithsonian is a vital part of the history of American experience, scientific exploration, and international cultural understanding.
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The Smithsonian Institution Archives Reading Room is open to the public by appointment Tuesday through Thursday between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Please contact OSIAREF@si.edu to schedule an appointment.
Appointment times are currently filling up 3-4 weeks in advance. For more information about Smithsonian Libraries and Archives locations, see Library Locations and Smithsonian Institution Archives Reference. To requests an appointment at another location, use Contact Us.
Appointment times are currently filling up 3-4 weeks in advance. For more information about Smithsonian Libraries and Archives locations, see Library Locations and Smithsonian Institution Archives Reference. To requests an appointment at another location, use Contact Us.
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Capturing, preserving, and sharing the history of the Smithsonian Institution
Explore the history of the Smithsonian Institution:
September 24, 1986
As a grand finale to the National Forum on BioDiversity, which was sponsored by the Smithsonian Institution and the National Academy of Sciences, the Smithsonian’s Office of Telecommunications airs a two-hour national teleconference via the Westar IV satellite. Thousands of people across the country participate by asking questions and listening in on the discussions of expert panelists. The telecast is broadcast live from a studio at The George Washington University.
