Description: On the evening of October 1, 1847, while using a small telescope on the roof of the family home, Maria Mitchell (1818-1889) spotted a comet where one had not been before. Word of this achievement spread quickly through the scientific community. The American Journal of Science declared her “the first American entitled to the honor of the original discovery of a comet.” Some
Description: [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="442" caption="George S. Switzer, first Chairman of the Department of Mineral Sciences, 1963-1968, and Associate Curator, 1948-1956, with some objects from the collections at the National Museum of Natural History, Date unknown, c. 1960s, by Unidentified photographer, Photographic print, Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 95,
Description: A new exhibition offers a chance to explore the world of Grand Tour travel in the late eighteenth century, similar to that experienced by the Smithsonian’s own founding donor, James Smithson.
Description: Learn some of the surprising facts about people and places from the Smithsonian Institution Archives that we have came across while writing Wikipedia articles using SIA materials.
Description: Ellen Roney Hughes’ supposition in 1999 was “Well, I think it’s still a man’s world at the Smithsonian.” This may hold some validity due to recent discoveries at the Smithsonian.
Description: Each Smithsonian Institution Archives collection has a life story. That narrative, much like the biography of a person, can explain how a collection's photographs, letters, and documents relate to each other. Closer inspection may also reveal hidden connections to other archival materials and can help in identifying photographers and writers. This new blog series will turn a
Description: In honor of Bald and Free Day, the Smithsonian Institution Archives presents bald or partially bald employees and visitors to the Smithsonian.
Description: Roxie Collie Laybourne pioneered the field of forensic ornithology through her study of bird feathers, which has meant improved aviation safety.