Virginia Beets was instrumental in the early years of the National Museum of American History as an Administrative Officer, 1963–73, and Registrar, 1973–83. She initially joined the Smithsonian as a secretary in the Division of Insects at the National Museum of Natural History in 1949. #Groundbreaker

We all screamed for ice cream at the old-fashioned ice cream parlor at Smithsonian's National Museum of American History between 1981 and 2006.

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.

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.

Judy Gradwohl was a researcher, curator, environmental policy specialist, digital content developer, and leader at the Smithsonian, 1985–2016. She conducted research at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute and National Zoo, and eventually became the MacMillan Associate Director for Education and Public Engagement at the National Museum of American History in 2004. Notably, Gradwohl established Smithsonian’s Office of Environmental Awareness and helped produce Smithsonian’s first website. #Groundbreaker

Dr. Anthea M. Hartig, Elizabeth MacMillan Director, Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History, became the first woman to ever direct the museum in 2019. She oversees more than 250 employees, a budget of $40 million, and 1.8 million objects. #Groundbreaker

Fred Rogers donates his red knit cardigan sweater to National Museum of American History, November 20, 1984, by Dane Penland.

See Here: a weekly photo feature showcasing images from the collections of the Smithsonian Institution Archives.

Ellen Roney Hughes’ supposition in 1999 was “Well, I think it’s still a man’s world at the Smithsonian.” This may hold some validity due to recent discoveries at the Smithsonian.