“Point of View: What is your family’s signature Thanksgiving dish?,” Smithsonian Institution Archives, The Torch, November 2006.

The Smithsonian Point of View: Pumpkin Pie, Pez, and Pastrami

Get to know some Smithsonian staff, from their favorite holiday dishes to their dream celebrity dinner guests, through a former series in The Torch.

Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at the Archives! As the website and social media content manager, I’m constantly flipping through old issues of Smithsonian’s staff newsletter, The Torch, for research on employees and major anniversaries. And I recently stumbled upon my newest favorite segment: “Point of View.”

Smithsonian staff—they’re just like us! Read about what foods employees couldn’t wait to dig into during the Thanksgiving holiday in 2006.

Five Smithsonian employees provide answers to the question: What is your family's signature Thanksgi

But I can’t just stop at Thanksgiving. Here are a few more of my favorite questions and answers from the 2000s. 

Sometimes your secret desk chocolates just get you through. Shout out to exhibits specialist Ralph Logan for identifying as a pack rat, though he’s certainly not the only Smithsonian employee who sported a messy desk.

Five Smithsonian employees provide answers to the question: What do you do to personalize your works

This question from 2003 really stumped me, but all of the different answers are great. Who would be your dream dinner guest?

Five Smithsonian employees provide answers to the question: What famous person would you like to hav

And in the May 2004 issue, museum specialist David Shayt made me seriously consider spending some time looking into the influences behind Parks and Recreation’s Ron Swanson character.

 Five Smithsonian employees provide answers to the question: If you didn't have to earn a living, wh

This one just made me laugh out loud in the office. In responding to a question about what he loves about living and working in New York, Cooper-Hewitt librarian Stephen Van Dyk had quite the answer. “I love its wonderful skyline and great pastrami.” Ah, the power of deli meats.

Five Smithsonian employees provide answers to the question: What do you love about living or working
We’re wishing you a safe and warm holiday wherever you’re celebrating!

Produced by the Smithsonian Institution Archives. For copyright questions, please see the Terms of Use.