National Institute Collections to SI
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The Smithsonian Institution Archives welcomes personal and educational use of its collections unless otherwise noted. For commercial uses, please contact photos@si.edu.Summary
The charter of the National Institute (1840-1862) expires, and in accordance with its act of incorporation, the remainder of its library and museum is delivered by the Secretary of the Interior to the Smithsonian Institution. Before the organization of the Smithsonian, the National Institute held the personal effects of James Smithson with a view to its gaining control of the Smithson bequest. The transfer also includes the collections of John Varden's museum, including art works.
Subject
- Smithson, James 1765-1829
- Varden, John c. 1790-1865
- National Institute
- National Institution for the Promotion of Science
- United States Dept. of the Interior
- United States National Museum
Category
Chronology of Smithsonian History
Notes
- In Goode, 1897, True states that the National Institute charter expired in 1861.
- Goode, George Brown, ed. The Smithsonian Institution, 1846-1896, The History of Its First Half Century. Washington, D.C.: De Vinne Press, 1897, p. 38-48, 305-306, 837.
- Annual Report of the Smithsonian Institution for the year 1862. Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office, 1863, p. 16.
- Guide to Smithsonian Archives. Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution Press, 1983, Archives and Special Collections of the Smithsonian Institution Number 4, p. 292.
- Holmes, William Henry. Smithsonian Institution, National Gallery of Art, Catalog of Collections, II. Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office, 1926, p. 2.
Contact information
Institutional History Division, Smithsonian Institution Archives, 600 Maryland Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20024-2520, SIHistory@si.edu
Date
July 27, 1862
Topic
- Smithson Bequest
- Art
- Interagency Transfers
- Libraries
- National Collections
- Art objects