Description: "It is five o’clock, when the Megatherium takes its prey, that the most interesting characters of the animal are seen. Then it roars with delight and makes up for the hard work of the day by much fun and conduction." Folks at Home, February 17, 1863, Robert Kennicott[edan-image:id=siris_sic_5844,size=250,left]Not only is this beast intriguing as a specimen, but it is the
Description: When museum visitors match the artwork. [via artFido]The Smithsonian's Secretary, David Skorton, is convening thought-leaders to discuss critical issues Americans are facing, starting with immigration. The International Federation of Television Archives' Innovation award went to Radio.Garden, a website that allows you to browse radio stream geographically. [via Sound and
Description: It's time again to celebrate all the wonderful things archives have and do! The Society of American Archivists declares each October American Archives Month and the Smithsonian theme for this year is "Discover and Connect." At the Smithsonian Institution Archives, we handle over 6000 reference requests per year and have an ambitious digitization plan to serve people worldwide
Description: In honor of Archives Month, it’s time for the Smithsonian’s annual Facebook Q&A where the public can ask questions about preserving and organizing their own collections!
Description: We are pleased to announce a new mobile experience produced by the Archives, Castle of Curiosities. The Smithsonian's first building, the Castle, opened its doors in 1855. While the Norman architectural style evoked "learned university," it was bordered by fetid canals and rather isolated from the rest of Washington D.C. Check out an app about iconic stories in the history of
Description: The Smithsonian's Anacostia Community Museum looks at the history of rapid change in Washington D.C., the ensuing inequality, and neighborhood activism with A Right to the City. [via Smithsonian Magazine]Check out the newly released 2018 National Design Award winners from the Smithsonian's Cooper Hewitt. [via Architect Magazine]There may be a developing love story at our
Description: Volunteers have been an integral part of the Smithsonian since the beginning. As our historian Pamela Henson likes to say, we have always relied on the kindness of strangers. A blog post in honor of Volunteer Appreciation Month 2015. Includes a list of Smithsonian crowdsourcing projects that volunteers can participate in.
Description: To celebrate International Migratory Bird Day on May 9th, we will be releasing recently digitized specimen drawings by ornithologist Robert Ridgway (1850-1929.) Ridgway's career with the Smithsonian began in 1864 when he wrote asking for help identifying a bird. As they say, the rest is history. Starting in 1869, Ridgway became curator at the Smithsonian's United States
Description: [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="393" caption="Tennessee v. John T. Scopes Trial: The seven scientists asked to testify for the defense standing in front of the Defense Mansion, 1925, by Watson Davis, Black and white photograph, Smithsonian Institution Archives, Image # SIA2008-1146"][/caption] We are nearing the 2nd anniversary of the Smithsonian launching on the