Description: As World War II raged throughout the world, many feared the threat of another attack on American soil. Washington, D.C., and the National Mall were obvious targets for the Axis countries which put the Smithsonian buildings and collections located there in danger. In order to protect the Smithsonian’s collections, staff took action and moved many materials off of the National
Description: Aerial view of the National Mall looking east from the Washington Monument during its first stage of building towards the U.S. Capitol, circa 1881, SIA Acc. 11-006, MAH-8015A.