Description: The Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture and the Library of Congress were able to pool funds to purchase a rare photo of a young Harriet Tubman. [via Washington Post]The Audobon profiles Smithsonian scientist, Roxie Laybourne, who started the field of forensic ornithology which identified birds involved in plane strikes and led to improved
Description: British botanist Kathleen Mary Drew-Baker (1901-1957), born in Leigh, Lancashire, is best known for her research on the edible seaweed Porphyra laciniata (nori) which is used in sushi.
Description: Note: This blog post borrows heavily from the article, “Shooting Fireworks: Capture the Spectacle,” from former Smithsonian employee, Jim Wallace (originally published on the Smithsonian staff photographer’s website in 1995), with valuable additions from Ken Rahaim. The 4th of July is coming up next week, promising picnics, gatherings, and of course, fireworks. You may have
Description: [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="406" caption="A cart filled with plate glass from the E. J. Murphy Co. sits in front of the nearly completed Natural History Building, c. 1910, by Leet Brothers, Washington DC, Photographic print, Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 532, Box 104, Folder: Natural History Building, 1912, Negative Number:
Description: [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="368" caption="After the Exhibits Modernization Program, an exhibit case in the Bird Hall at the United States National Museum, now known as the National Museum of Natural History, features birds sitting on a tree branch in their natural surroundings, 1956, by Unidentified photographer, Photographic print, Smithsonian Institution
Description: There's no doubt that Washington, D.C. is a great place to raise kids. And one of the primary reasons why is the wide array of Smithsonian museums that are only a subway ride away. It's no wonder that regular visits to the National Mall have been an important part of our family's culture and history since the early 1970's. And part of that history has been the story of "how
Description: There are 145 collection items at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History, and their new Objects of Wonder exhibit looks at how scientists use these collections to further our understanding of the world! (via Buzzfeed)Get cozy while you research! Folger Shakespeare Library lends out handmade shawls to visitors. [via Atlas Obscura]Students from the College of
Description: We’re taking a glimpse into the work and life of Margaret Sordahl and other women at Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory stations around the world.
Description: The Smithsonian’s Around the Mall blog has an interview with our Smithsonian Historian, Pam Henson, about the famous, real-life Smokey the Bear (you can also read our earlier post on the subject). Need to get a 17th century recipe for almond cakes? The Wellcome Library’s online Recipe Manuscripts is the place for you. This is a really fun collection to browse [via Marcel
Description: Lucy Hunter Baird did not shy away from her father’s towering legacy in American science, she embraced it. As the only child of Spencer Fullerton Baird, second Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, Lucy Baird developed a passion for her father’s discipline of ornithology (the study of birds) and strove to chronicle his extraordinary life in a biography. Although she was