Description: [edan-image:id=siris_sic_13828,size=350,right]Welcome to our online exhibit about the history of the Smithsonian and postcards! In this exhibit you will find the history and evolution of postcards at the Smithsonian, general postcard history, and a guide for dating postcards. In addition, the image galleries contain over 100 selected postcards of Smithsonian museums,
Description: S. Dillon Ripley, the eighth Secretary of the Smithsonian, wanted the Smithsonian to have a contemporary art museum. He worked tirelessly to persuade Joseph H. Hirshhorn (1899-1981) to donate his collections to the Smithsonian. On November 7, 1966, the collections of Hirshhorn officially came under the auspices of the Smithsonian. The Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden