Cortege Bringing James Smithson Remains to Smithsonian

Summary

Military cortege accompanies James Smithson's remains from the Washington Navy Yard to the Smithsonian, on January 23, 1904. This image shows the Marine caisson as it makes its way with procession of individuals on foot, on horses, and horse and carriage. James Smithson (c.1765-1829) died in Genoa, Italy, and was buried there. However, after the turn of the century, the Smithsonian was notified that the graves were to be moved to allow quarrying on the cemetery site. Smithsonian Regent Alexander Graham Bell and his wife Mabel traveled to Italy to oversee the disinterrment of Smithson's remains and their transportation to the Institution in Washington, D.C., that his bequest created.

Subject

• Smithson, James 1765-1829
• United States Marine Corps

Category

Historic Images of the Smithsonian

Contained within

Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 95, Box 56, Folder 8

Contact information

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

Date

1904

Restrictions & Rights

No restrictions

Topic

• Smithson, James
• Benefactors
• Memorials
• Animals
• Carriages, Caisson
• Transportation
• Smithson family
• Horses
• Death and burial
• Coffins
• Smithson, James--Death and burial
• Event

Place

• Genoa (Italy)
• Washington (D.C.)

Form/Genre

Photographic print

ID Number

82-3337

Physical description

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

Full Record

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