Image Gallery - Arts and Industries Building, 1911-1950
Star-Spangled Banner in the American History Hall, 1928, by Unknown, photographic print, Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 285, Box 18, Folder: 3, SIA2010-2708 or 11115 or MAH-11115.: The American History collections occupied the North Hall and North West Court of the Arts and Industries Building. The Memorial Collections had such notable new additions as the Star Spangled Banner, which the Smithsonian acquired in 1914. The Spirit of St. Louis wing can be seen in this image in the upper right corner.
Tank in front of A&I Building, 1920s, by Unknown, photographic print, Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 285, Box 17, Folder: 6, SIA2010-2440 or 21861-A or MAH-21861A.: The War Collection was placed on display inside and outside of the museum. Soldiers’ uniforms were displayed along with military equipment and maps used in the recently completed World War I.
First Ladies Hall, 1920s, by Unknown, photographic print, Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 95, Box 53, Folder: 3, MAH-38067.: The Costume Collection included the famous Richard Mansfield collection of theatrical costumes. The museum was also well known for its First Ladies Gowns. The first gown was donated by Mrs. Howard Taft in 1912, and the collection grew rapidly in the following decades. Mary Todd Lincoln’s dress can be seen in this image.
Copp Collection of Colonial American Domestic Artifacts, 1900s, by Unknown, photographic print, Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 95, Box 42, Folder: 10, 9098 or MAH-9098.: An Antiquarian Collection exhibited the artifacts and clothing of early America. Notable in this collection was the Copp Collection of Colonial Everyday Life which was acquired in 1894 and can be seen in this image. The Catlin Indian Gallery is also visible in the background.
Postal History Exhibit, 1920s, by Unknown, photographic print, Smithsonian InstitutionArchives, Record Unit 285, Box 17, Folder: 9, SIA2010-2544 or 11064A orMAH-11064A.: The numismatic and philately collections were quite popular. Thenumismatic collection consisted of a large series of United States and foreigncoins, medals, decorations and paper currency. The philately exhibit containeda fine series of United States and foreign postage stamps.
American Art Glass Exhibit, 1900s, by Unknown, photographic print, Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 285, Box 16, Folder: 5, MAH 18257.: The Ceramic Collection was a major attraction, with donations from many manufacturers, a typical practice in this era of rapid growth of collections. In the North East Court Galleries, the pottery of the world was arranged geographically, including bronzes, lacquers, and glass. The exhibit also included a display of American Art glass.
Yarn in Textile Exhibit, 1900s, by Unknown, photographic print, Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 95, Box 43, Folder: 34 and Record Unit 285, Box 17, Folder: Textiles, SIA2010-2565 or 9385 or MAH-9385.: The Textile Exhibit expanded to the South Hall and East South Range. It traced the development of textiles from netting to Jacquard looms. The collection included the first American cotton spinning and carding machines, and the first, automatic control device for embroidery machines.
Lace in Textile Exhibit, 1900s, by Unknown, photographic print, Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 95, Box 54A, Folder: 26, 27107 or MAH-27107.: The Lace Exhibit in the East North Range displayed the laces and lacemaking tools of every period, variety, and European country. Much of the collection was donated by a group of women interested in encouraging the hand textile arts.
Mechanical Technology Exhibit, 1920s, by Unknown, photographic print, Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 285, Box 16, Folder: 8, 31026 or MAH-31026.: The Mechanical Technology Exhibits occupied a large portion of the museum and covered many industrial areas, with working models of equipment. A horizontal slide valve steam engine from 1864 can be seen in this image.
Electric Car on Display, 1920s, by Unknown, photographic print, Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 95, Box 54, Folder 2, and Record Unit 549, Box 2, Folder: Old Exhibits A&I.: The East Hall contained an exhibit on engineering and transportation. Displayed in this exhibit were such technological marvels as the development of the steam engine, locomotive, automobile, electric motor, and electric lighting. “Automobile Row” was a popular exhibit and included electric cars.
Photography Exhibit, c. 1915, by Unknown, photographic print, Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 285, Box 17, Folder: 14, SIA2010-2568 or 18664 or MAH-18664.: The Photography Exhibit in the North West Court Gallery was also quite popular. Its collection of photographic prints included the first art photography collection. It also had a fine collection of camera apparatus from the camera obscura to still cameras, to the latest motion-picture machines. Thomas Smillie, Smithsonian photographer, who pioneered museum collections of photographic apparatus and images, opened the Hall of Photography in June of 1913.
Spirit of St. Louis, 1930s, by Unknown, photographic print, Smithsonian Institution Archives Record Unit 95, Box 43, Folder: 25, 2002-12192.: In the decade after Kitty Hawk, the new technology of human flight captured the public’s imagination. A historical series of original airplanes and models, beginning with the drawings of Leonardo da Vinci, were scattered around the building. Aircraft hung above china, steam machinery, and relics of the presidents, in any square inch of free space. A highlight of this era was May 13, 1928, when Charles Lindbergh’s Spirit of St. Louis was placed on display. Huge crowds flocked to the building to see this immensely popular plane.
Electromagnetic Telegraph Exhibit, 1920s, by Unknown, photographic print, Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 285, Box 16, Folder: 8, MAH9158.: The South East Range contained a collection of apparatus used in telegraphy, telephony, and radio, as well as typewriters, calculating machines, surveying instruments, and clocks. The telegraphy collection reflected the interests of the first Secretary, Joseph Henry, in the development of the telegraph. Alexander Graham Bell, a Smithsonian Regent, was well represented in the telephone collection.
Working Model of a Coal Mine, c. 1920s, by Unknown, photographic print, Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 285, Box 16, Folder: 8, 28515 or MAH-28515.: Equally notable were the mineral technology displays in the South West Range and Court which were known for their detailed working models of mining operations developed by curator George C. Maynard. Three large models, one mechanically operated, showed the bituminous coal industry. Other models demonstrated the petroleum and natural gas industries.