Description: [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="425" caption="Charles Doolittle Walcott (1850-1927), paleontologist and fourth Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution (1907-1927), Walcott is at a fossil quarry excavating the Burgess Shale in British Columbia, Canada, c. 1910s - 1920s, by Unidentified photographer, Photographic print, Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit
Description: A clause in the last will and testament of English scientist James Smithson eventually led to his estate being left to the United States "to found at Washington, under the name of the Smithsonian Institution, an establishment for the increase and diffusion of knowledge among men.” There was much debate as to what constituted such an establishment, but many of the proposals
Description: Despite another year of telework and limited physical access to our collections, the Smithsonian Institution Archives has continued to serve our researchers and share more of our collections with the public.
Description: The Smithsonian Institution has roughly six thousand volunteers and without them the work we do would not be possible. Here at the Smithsoinan Institution Archives, we have dedicated volunteers who help fufill our mission. One such volunteer is Zoe Martindale, who for sixteen years has carefully cataloged thousands of images and helped get them online for the public.
Description: Dr. Valerie Fletcher joined the research staff at the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden in 1978 and was promoted to a curatorial role in 1984. Fletcher worked as an Assistant and Associate Curator, 1984–92, Curator of Sculpture, 1992–2005, and Senior Curator, 2005–16. In retirement, Fletcher continues her research at the Museum as Senior Curator Emerita. #Groundbreaker
Description: Ann M. Shumard has worked to develop the photography collection at the National Portrait Gallery as an Assistant Curator, 1979–2001, and Senior Curator of Photographs, 2001–present. She has curated more than a dozen exhibitions and serves on the Smithsonian’s Collections Advisory Committee. #Groundbreaker
Description: Grab your popcorn! To mark the Smithsonian’s 175th anniversary this year, the Smithsonian Libraries and Archives will host monthly virtual programs featuring films from the collections of the Smithsonian Institution Archives. Register today.