Description: Browsing the Archives' collections leads to very interesting finds. Upon learning about the Smithsonian Institution’s first Secretary Joseph Henry, 1846-1878, I had the opportunity to read a letter written fourteen days from the start of the Civil War. In the letter, which is addressed to his brother-in-law, Stephen, he expresses uncertainty and dread of the unfolding events.
Description: Did you know that the first beaver came to the National Zoological Park in 1894? Or that the first animals on the official zoo grounds were two Indian Elephants, Dunk and Gold Dust? Surely, you knew that the Dusit Zoo in Bangkok donated an albino Asiatic turtle to the National Zoo in 1966? You didn’t know that? Well, thanks to the work of Sybil Hamlet in 1985, you can now
Description: "It is five o’clock, when the Megatherium takes its prey, that the most interesting characters of the animal are seen. Then it roars with delight and makes up for the hard work of the day by much fun and conduction." Folks at Home, February 17, 1863, Robert Kennicott[edan-image:id=siris_sic_5844,size=250,left]Not only is this beast intriguing as a specimen, but it is the
Description: [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="311" caption="IC 4970 and NGC 6872: Galaxy Collision Switches on Black Hole, X-ray: NASA/CXC/SAO/M.Machacek; Optical: ESO/VLT; Infrared: NASA/JPL/Caltech."][/caption] I’m sure you’re familiar with beauties, like the one above, from the Chandra X-ray Observatory. Well, apparently, with “a basic understanding of astronomy data & image
Description: [edan-image:id=siris_sic_12035,size=350,center]June is National Camping Month, and to celebrate we are recognizing one of the Smithsonian’s original outdoorsmen: Alexander Wetmore. The Smithsonian’s sixth Secretary thrived outside. Annually for 20 years Wetmore would make the trip south to Panama, to the same spot, Isla Iguana. There he would conduct his observations, record
Description: The historical legacy of amatuer photographer Julian Papin Scott (1877-1961) is far greater than was acknowledged at the time, because of both who he photographed and how he set up the images.
Description: While closed for renovations, here is a look at some historic images of the Renwick Gallery on the anniversary of its opening to the public.