Hot Topics at the Smithsonian Institution Archives

October is American Archives Month, and to celebrate, the Smithsonian is hosting a month-long blog-a-thon, an online Q&A with Smithsonian archivists and conservators, a lecture series, film series, and an opportunity to consult with archives experts at Ask-the-Smithsonian. For schedule and details, please visit the Archives Fair website.

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When asked what the Smithsonian Institution Archives collects, I say we hold records about the history of the Smithsonian and its people, programs, research, and activities.  While accurate, it doesn’t really give anyone a clue about what is actually in those records.

Recently, in updating a webpage, I turned to our reference team to find out what people have been researching at the Archives recently. I got some pretty interesting responses. Although not comprehensive, it gives you a snapshot of the diversity of the collectionss, and in turn, the history of the world’s largest museum complex!

 

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