Description: A salamander, the axolotl, found in Mexico that once numbered in the 6000s/square kilometer is now down to 35. [via Scientific American]As we know, the Biodiversity Heritage Library has a lot of gorgeous images of natural specimen, in fact over 2 million of them, and it includes some from the Archives! [via Open Culture]Beatles fans, John Lennon's stolen diary was recovered by
Description: [caption id="" align="alignright" width="194" caption="Painting found in Yale Art Gallery's storage, Attributed to Diego Velázquez, The Education of the Virgin (detail shown), ca. 1617–18. Oil on canvas. Yale University Art Gallery."][/caption] Golly gee—sometimes some pretty incredible things are found in museum storage [via @museumnerd]. I worked peripherally on MIT’s
Description: It is with sadness that I report that Mitch Toda is stepping down as the blog coordinator. Since 2011, Mitch Toda has been the man behind-the-scenes making sure everything runs smoothly. As a staff archivist, he works daily with the records he takes in from Smithsonian museums and offices such as the new National Museum of African American History and Culture, the Office of
Description: You can help the Smithsonian produce a 9 CD Hip Hop & Rap Anthology in a newly launched Kickstarter, and if you kick in $100 or more, you'll get a digital-only track! The material in the anthology was produced with an advisory board comprised of members of the hip-hop community including artists Chuck D, MC Lyte, Questlove and 9th Wonder. [via billboard]The Smithsonian
Description: At the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, we are determined not to let history repeat itself. From our colleagues at the Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center, who research and track birds in the wild, to our Bird House keepers who care for and breed these animals at the Zoo, we are working together to study, understand and protect common birds
Description: In addition to physical damage and deterioration of storage media, the technological complexity and dependency of electronic records make them uniquely vulnerable to loss, corruption, and alteration (both accidental and malicious). To achieve long-term preservation of fragile born-digital materials, digital archivists need a plan.
Description: Photos in the Science Service collection documenting Herbert Hoover's historic acceptance of the Presidential nomination with live radio coverage.