Staff Matters: Meet Our New Additions

The Archives is made up of wonderful, helpful, and hard-working individuals who strive to acquire, preserve, and make accessible records that document the history of the Smithsonian Institution. Some of our staff have been at the Smithsonian for 30 plus years, while others are just beginning their tenure here. There will be some changes in the office as we welcome new staff members coming on board this winter who bring their expertise and new ideas to the Archives.

Continuing our series on introducing new staff, I'd like to welcome our two newest Digital Imaging Technicians, who are both working on material related to the Field Book Project, an initiative to help make field books easier to find and available in digital form.

First up is Mignonette (Mig) Dooley Johnson: 

What’s your educational background? 

I studied photography at Moore College of Art in Philadelphia.

What do you do at the Smithsonian Institution Archives?

I’m a digital tech working on the Field Book Project.

What is the strangest/most interesting thing you have discovered at the Archives so far?

I love finding doodles in the notes.

Favorite spot in DC to recommend to visitors?

I really like the Robert and Arlene Kogod Courtyard at the Smithsonian American Art Museum. While you’re there, checkout The Throne of the Nations’ Millennium General Assembly. It is astounding. 

Our second Digital Imaging Technician, Charles Zange: 

What’s your educational background?

I have a BA in History and French from Gettysburg College and an MA in Museum Studies from George Washington University. 

What do you do at the Smithsonian Institution Archives?

I am a Digital Imaging Technician working in the Field Book team. We’re digitizing and distributing content for natural sciences, including geology.

What is the strangest/most interesting thing you have discovered at the Archives so far?

My coworker showed me a Field Book by Paul Bartsch on nudibranchs, complete with detailed paintings of specific species. Didn’t know what a ‘nudibranch’ was before that day. Turns out they’re amazing. Who knew?

What is the most unexpected thing you have learned about working here?

Sheer admiration for the Archives’ conservation program – it’s amazing to see what they can do with very fragile material.

Favorite spot in DC to recommend to visitors?

The courtyard of the National Portrait Gallery and Smithsonian American Art Museum, hands down. That has to be my favorite spot downtown.