Aerial view of the National Mall looking east from the Washington Monument during its first stage of building towards the U.S. Capitol, with the Department of Agriculture building and gardens, the Smithsonian Institution Building, or Castle, and the United States National Museum, now known as the Arts and Industries Building, in view, circa 1881.

Effects of milk on rodent skeletons from "Public Health" exhibition in the United States National Museum, now known as the Arts and Industries Building, circa 1930s.

See new collection highlights posted to the Smithsonian Institution Archives website.

Buildings on the National Mall, including temporary government buildings constructed during World War II, now the site of the National Museum of American History, the Department of Labor and Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) buildings, and the Departmental Auditorium, July 3, 1946.

We're wishing you a safe, happy Independence Day from all of us at the Archives. 

Exhibit case featuring items lent by the National Society of Daughters of the American Revolution, including a spinning wheel, on display in the United States National Museum, now known as the Arts and Industries Building, 1904.

Spencer Crew, while director of National Museum of American History, at press event for opening of "Paint by Number: Accounting for Taste in the 1950s" exhibition, April 2001.

Material and process identification is the key to a robust preservation strategy!

Exhibit case featuring skeletons of “Man and Horse” in Comparative Anatomy Hall at the United States National Museum, now known as the Arts and Industries Building, mounted by J.W. Scollick, osteological preparator, 1890s.

To celebrate Father’s Day 2019, here are three photographs of famous fathers and sons in biology and physics.