Description: This post originally appeared on the National Museum of Natural History's blog, Unearthed.Who would think that behind the west wall of NMNH's paleontology hall is a painting of a goddess that created a sensation when installed in 1910? Some of you who visited the museum fifty years ago may remember the captivating Diana of the Tides as she surveyed the hall.Diana was painted
Description: In honor of Women’s History Month, we’d like to revisit an important and inspiring exhibition circulated by the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service (SITES) in 1961. “The Magnificient Enterprise: Education Opens the Door” was a photographic exhibition based on the 100 years of higher education for women. Sponsored by Vassar College in observance of its
Description: [edan-image:id=siris_sic_5844,size=200,left]The Megatherium Club, named after a giant extinct sloth that once roamed South America, consisted of an eccentric group of young naturalists aiming to build the Smithsonian’s collection. The club was formed in 1857 under zoologist William Stimpson, who held the club’s first meeting in his cottage before the members were asked to set
Description: [edan-image:id=siris_sic_9592,size=200,left]Did you know the Smithsonian was an early adopter of the telephone? In June of 1878, a system of electronic bells and telephones was installed throughout the Smithsonian Castle. The system connected several workrooms and offices to provide instant communications within the building. At that time, there were only 187 telephone lines