The Smithsonian Institution is a “trust instrumentality” of the United States—an organization established by the U.S. government as a public trust. Created by the US Congress on August 10, 1846, through 9 Stat. 102, the Institution carries out the bequest of James Smithson (1765-1829) to create an establishment “for the increase and diffusion of knowledge among men.” Since 1846, public laws, judicial decisions, court cases, procedures of the Board of Regents, executive orders, and government reports have shaped the Institution’s legal structure. The resources on this site will allow you to explore the legal documents that have shaped the Institution since its founding in 1846.
The Bequest
![Handwritten Draft of James Smithson Will, Pages 1 and 3 and 2 and 4, by Smithson, James 1765-1829, 1826, Smithsonian Archives - History Div, 72-3960-A and 72-3960. Handwritten Draft of James Smithson Will, Pages 1 and 3 and 2 and 4](https://ids.si.edu/ids/iiif/SIA-72-3960-A/full/300,/0/default.jpg)
Act of Establishment
Public Laws
![Cover to 1862 Statutes at Large, 1862, Smithsonian Archives - History Div, SIA2011-2253. Cover to 1862 Statutes at Large, 1862, Smithsonian Archives - History Div, SIA2011-2253.](https://ids.si.edu/ids/iiif/SIA-SIA2011-2253/full/180,/0/default.jpg)
Congressional Resolutions
![Resolution on the U.S. Exploring Expedition, 1845, Smithsonian Archives - History Div, SIA2011-2254. Resolution on the U.S. Exploring Expedition](https://ids.si.edu/ids/iiif/SIA-SIA2011-2254/full/180,/0/default.jpg)
Judicial Opinions
![Opinion of Attorney General on National Museum, June 10, 1857, Smithsonian Archives - History Div, SIA2011-1001. Opinion of Attorney General on National Museum](https://ids.si.edu/ids/iiif/SIA-SIA2011-1001/full/180,/0/default.jpg)
Court Cases
![Gellately vs. United States, 1947, Smithsonian Archives - History Div, SIA2011-2261, SIA2011-2262, SIA2011-2263, SIA2011-2264, SIA2011-2265. Gellately vs. United States](https://ids.si.edu/ids/iiif/SIA-SIA2011-2261/full/180,/0/default.jpg)
Executive Orders
![Executive Order 12635, 1988, Smithsonian Archives - History Div, SIA2011-2255, SIA2011-2256. Executive Order 12635, 1988, Smithsonian Archives - History Div, SIA2011-2255, SIA2011-2256.](https://ids.si.edu/ids/iiif/SIA-SIA2011-2255/full/180,/0/default.jpg)
Special Reports
A variety of special reports on the legal history of the Smithsonian, such as the Hughes Report of 1977, provide a window onto the complex legal issues the Institution faces.
Smithsonian Legal Documents Database
The Smithsonian Legal Documents database is a source of citations to legal documents related to the history of the Smithsonian. It contains all Smithsonian-related US Statutes at Large, selected wills, reports, decisions of attorneys general, executive orders, memoranda of understanding, court cases, minutes of the Board of Regents, and other materials.
The database can be searched through the History of the Smithsonian catalog in the Smithsonian Institution Research Information Center. Enter your search terms and limit your search to the Smithsonian Legal Documents database.