Description: As a teenager, Robert Ridgway was tapped by the Smithsonian’s Assistant Secretary to be an expedition zoologist. In 1881, when the US National Museum opened its doors, he was the curator of Birds. Download and reuse some of bird illustrations today through Smithsonian Open Access.
Description: Each week, the Archives features a woman who has been a groundbreaker at the Smithsonian, past or present, in a series titled Wonderful Women Wednesday.
Description: [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="448" caption="Portrait of Dorothy Catherine Draper, copy of the original photo by John Draper, created by Daniel Draper, 1893, National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center, Division of Information Technology and Communications."][/caption] Imagine that you are the first person to take a photograph. What would you
Description: C. Malcolm Watkins (1911-2001), curator of cultural history at the National Museum of American History, was a pioneer of material culture studies and historic archeology.
Description: [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="275" caption="Miss Gloria Smith (Wedding) Deluxe Wedding Album, June 24, 1956, by Scurlock Studio (Washington, D.C.), Silver gelatin on cellulose acetate film sheet, Scurlock Studio Records, ca. 1905-1994, Archives Center, National Museum of American History, Call No. 0618.278439. "][/caption] When I read Laurie Lambrecht’s recent
Description: Exactly 165 years ago today, legislation establishing the Smithsonian Institution was passed by the US Congress and signed into law by President James K. Polk. From today’s perspective, it seems like a “no-brainer” to accept a generous bequest from a little-known Englishman named James Smithson and create an institution in his name. But from the perspective of that era, the
Description: This coming weekend muggles from around the world will be participating in the International Quidditch Association’s World Cup; but did you know that this growing sport may have a Smithsonian connection?