Description: A twentieth century Renaissance man, Louis R. Purnell lived a remarkable life. His career began in the skies above Italy and Germany, where he flew 88 combat missions as an original member of the Tuskegee Airmen. After the war, while working at the National Museum of Natural History, he traveled the world’s oceans collecting marine specimens, taught himself geology and
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: For forty years, Miss Helena Weiss kept the Smithsonian running smoothly as a clerk, stenographer, director of the Office of Correspondence and Documents, and Registrar. When she retired, her position was divided into seven separate jobs.