Mineralogy Exhibit, Natural History Building

Summary

View of the Mineralogy/Geology Hall in the new United States National Museum, now the National Museum of Natural History, soon after it was completed. Each side of the hall is lined with exhibit cases and there is a row down the middle. Natural light from the windows is providing much of the light in the hall. Natural light was an important element in the design of exhibition space, even though the building was fitted with electricity from the beginning. A contemporary caption states: 'One of the Side Halls, Second Story, East Wing. On the left is a section of light well wall with two balcony openings. Exhibition of minerals and gems.' (from U.S. National Museum Bulletin 80)

Subject

• National Museum of Natural History (U.S.)
• Natural History Building
• United States National Museum

Category

Historic Images of the Smithsonian

Notes

This print is reproduced in U.S. National Museum Bulletin 80, Plate 20, following page 114. The image was taken for use by Richard Rathbun. The cases are the same as the cases that were used in Arts & Industries Building. *There are many other photographs of the National Museum of Natural History in this location, as well as throughout RU 79, Box 9.

Contained within

Smithsonian Institution Archives Record Unit 79 Box 9 Folder 1A and Record Unit 95 Box 44 Folder 18

Contact information

Institutional History Division, Smithsonian Institution Archives, 600 Maryland Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20024-2520, SIHistory@si.edu

Date

1911

Restrictions & Rights

No restrictions

Topic

• Geology
• Gems
• Mineralogy
• Exhibit cases
• Exhibitions
• New Museums
• Minerals

Form/Genre

• Photographic print
• Interior

ID Number

SIA2009-1807 and 97-3054 and SIA 1274

Physical description

Color: Black and White; Size: 10w x 8h; Type of Image: Interior; Medium: Photographic print

Full Record

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