National Museum of Natural History
The National Museum of Natural History (NMNH) first opened to the public on March 17, 1910, as the new United States National Museum. The National Museum was first housed in what is now the Arts and Industries Building. The postcards in this gallery provide exterior views of the building as well as images of exhibits inside the museum. We know that many of these postcards are from the 1910s-1920s because they refer to the museum as “new.”
Color postcard with a semi-aerial view of the new US National Museum, now the National Museum of Natural History, and Washington, DC. The museum is the focus of the postcard, but the city of Washington stretches out far behind the museum. The grounds are empty. The postcard is unused. c. 1910-1915, I. & M. Ottenheimer, Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 95, Box 33, Folder: 12, Negative Numbers SIA2013-07214 (front) and SIA2013-07215 (back).
Color postcard of the new US National Museum, now the National Museum of Natural History. The roof is green, although in reality it is golden. The grounds are empty and the trees are green. Only a few small clouds are in the sky. The postcard is unused, but the message side has a printed note: "The New National Museum in the Mall is a massive and dignified structure of granite, 561x365 feet in area, being greater than any other Government building except the Capitol." c. 1910-1915, B.S. Reynolds Co., Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 95, Box 84, Folder: 25, Negative Numbers SIA2011-2295 (front) and SIA2011-2296 (back).
Color postcard of the "new" National Museum, now the National Museum of Natural History. The building has a dark blue/gray roof, although in reality it is golden. The grounds are empty except for a horse-drawn carriage sitting in front of the museum. The postcard is unused, but the message side has a printed note about the museum: "The National Museum is located in the south part of the Smithsonian grounds. It is the recognized depository of all interesting objects of art and science. Open daily except Sunday, from 9:00 A. M. to 4:30 P. M." 1910, A.C. Bosselman, Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 95, Box 33, Folder: 12, Negative Numbers SIA2013-02588 (front) and SIA2013-02589 (back).
Color postcard of the new US National Museum, now the National Museum of Natural History. The roof is gray, although in reality it is gold. The grounds are empty and the trees are partially bare. c. 1911, Unknown creator, Courtesy of a private collector, No copy available at the Smithsonian Institution Archives.
Color postcard of the new Museum of Natural History, now that National Museum of Natural History. The building’s roof is light blue, although in reality it is gold. Red and orange flowers are in front of the museum, and trees are on each side. The grounds are empty. c. 1911, Unknown creator, Courtesy of a private collector, No copy available at the Smithsonian Institution Archives.
Grayscale postcard of the new National Museum, now the National Museum of Natural History. Above the museum on the right side of the postcard is an advertisement of a Pompeian brand olive oil can. The postcard is unused. c. 1911, The National Photo Co., Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 95, Box 33, Folder: 12, Negative Numbers SIA2013-01123 (front) and SIA2013-01124 (back).
Color postcard of the new US National Museum, now the National Museum of Natural History. The roof is reddish-pink on the postcard, although in reality it is a shade of gold. The grounds are empty and the trees are partially bare. It is addressed to Miss Mary G. Wilson, and the top left-hand corner of the message side says "from J.W.H." The card is postmarked December 7, 1913. December 7, 1913, Columbia Polytechnic Institute for the Blind, Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 95, Box 84, Folder: 25, Negative Numbers SIA2011-2287 (front) and SIA2011-2288 (back).
Color postcard of the new US National Museum. The view is from the right side of the building. The roof is red, although in reality it is a golden color, and an American Flag is flying from the building. A green tree flanks each side of the postcard. There is a pot of red and white flowers on a stone pedestal in front of the museum. The front of the postcard has a white border. The postcard is unused, but the message side has a printed note about the museum: "The New National Museum, is under the direction of the Smithsonian Institution and supported by the annual appropriations of Congress. It has a frontage of 561 ft. on the Mall opposite the Old National Museum, a depth of 365 ft., a height of 82 ft., and cost $3,500,000. No greater opportunity for scientific research is found anywhere in the world than the combined collections of the Old and New National Museums at Washington. Here one may see any sort of exhibit from a huge meteorite to a few grains of sand, may trace human progress from antediluvian [time between the biblical creation of Earth and the biblical flood] days to twentieth century civilization, may gaze upon skeletons of huge extinct animals, behold a collection of nearly 13,000 different species of birds, or view historic and personal relics of priceless value." c. 1915-1930, Garrison Toy & Novelty Co., Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 95, Box 84, Folder: 25, Negative Numbers SIA2011-2289 (front) and SIA2011-2290 (back).
Color postcard of the new US National Museum, now known as the National Museum of Natural History. Its roof is gray, although in reality it is a shade of gold. The trees are green and the lawn in front of the building has a garden of colorful flowers. The front of the postcard has a white border. The postcard is unused, but the message side has a printed note about the museum: "The New National Museum in the Mall is a massive and dignified structure of granite, 561x365 feet in area, being greater than any other government building except the Capitol." c. 1915-1930, B.S. Reynolds Co., Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 95, Box 33, Folder: 12, Negative Numbers SIA2013-02586 (front) and SIA2013-02587 (back).
Color postcard of the New National Museum, now the National Museum of Natural History, and Washington, DC. The view of the building is semi-aerial, and the city of Washington stretches out behind the museum. The roof of the museum is green, although in reality it is a shade of gold. The grounds are empty and the trees are green. The message side has a printed note about the museum: “New National Museum. The New National Museum in the Mall is a massive dignified structure of granite, 561x356 feet in area, being greater than any other government building except the Capitol.” There is also a handwritten message: "Dear Dottie: Just had breakfast at 8:30 S.T. And Am due to leave in about 5 min. for a trolley ride. w.L. [with love] 'Sheenie'" May 24, 1928, Curt Teich & Co., Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 95, Box 33, Folder: 12, Negative Numbers SIA2013-01125 (front) and SIA2013-01126 (back).
Color postcard of the new US National Museum, now known as the National Museum of Natural History. Its roof appears blue, though in reality it is golden. There are blue, orange, and yellow flowers in the foreground of the image. The message side has a printed note about the museum: "The New National Museum in the Mall is a massive and dignified structure of granite, 561x365 feet in area, being greater than any other government building except the Capitol." The card is addressed to Mrs. J. W. Wayland, with a short message for her, as follows: "Got here last evening O.K. Having a fine time. Have not seen Walter yet, but hope to shortly. Going to The Fox tonight. Francis" August 9, 1928, B.S. Reynolds Co., Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 95, Box 84, Folder: 25, Negative Numbers SIA2011-2305 (front) and SIA2011-2306 (back).
Grayscale real photo postcard of an exhibit of Captain John Smith and Virginia Indians at the US National Museum, now the National Museum of Natural History. John Smith and two other European men are in a boat, while four Native Americans are positioned around it. The postcard is unused, and the front has a white border. c. 1930-1949, Unknown, Smithsonian Institution Archives, Collection T90126, Box 1, Folder: 3, Negative Numbers SIA2013-07704 (front) and SIA2013-07705 (back).
Grayscale real photo postcard of an exhibit of Hupa Indians at the US National Museum, now the National Museum of Natural History. There are five Native Americans, and each appears to be engaged in a different task to prepare food. The postcard is unused, and its front has a white border. c. 1930-1949, Unknown, Smithsonian Institution Archives, Collection T90126, Box 1, Folder: 3, Negative Numbers SIA2013-07709 (front) and SIA2013-07710 (back).
Grayscale real photo postcard of an exhibit at the National Museum, now the National Museum of Natural History, of a Stegosaurus: "Restoration of Armored Dinosaur." The front of the postcard has a white border. The postcard is unaddressed. However, there is a penciled note on the message side: "Recd. 3/16/49--$220.00." c. 1930-1949, Unknown, Smithsonian Institution Archives, Collection T90126, Box 1, Folder: 3, Negative Numbers SIA2013-07715 (front) and SIA2013-07716 (back).
Grayscale real photo postcard of an exhibit at the US National Museum, now the National Museum of Natural History, of a Hopi Indian snake dance. The Native Americans are dressed up and appear as though they are in the middle of performing the dance. The front of the postcard has a white border. The postcard is unaddressed. However, there is a penciled note on the message side: "Recd. 3/29/49 228.80 Expe. Chg.- 4.98." c. 1930-1949, Unknown, Smithsonian Institution Archives, Collection T90126, Box 1, Folder: 3, Negative Numbers SIA2013-07717 (front) and SIA2013-07718 (back).
Grayscale real photo postcard of an exhibit at the US National Museum, now the National Museum of Natural History, of arrow makers. There are five Native Americans engaged in various arrow-making tasks. The front of the postcard has a white border. The postcard is unaddressed. However, there is a penciled note on the message side: "Recd. 3/29/49- Expe. Chg.- 4.94." c. 1930-1949, Unknown, Smithsonian Institution Archives, Collection T90126, Box 1, Folder: 3, Negative Numbers SIA2013-07719 (front) and SIA2013-07720 (back).
Grayscale postcard of the Natural History Building of the US National Museum, now the National Museum of Natural History. The grounds are empty and the trees are mostly bare. The postcard is unused, but the message side has a printed note about the museum: "The National Museum had its beginnings in the early activities of the Smithsonian Institution, starting about 1850. It first received Government support in 1858. The Museum contains both Government and Smithsonian specimens, number in 1932 a total of 13,600,000, representing the flora, fauna, mineralogy, paleontology, ethnology, mechanical arts, and history not only of the United States but of the World. Extensive researches on the collections are carried on in its laboratories by its own staff as well as by investigators from the Department of Agriculture, the Geological Survey, and elsewhere." 1933, The Albertype Co., Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 65, Box 16, Folder: Postcards, Negative Numbers SIA2013-07789 (front) and SIA2013-07790 (back).
Grayscale postcard of an extinct reptile skeleton on display at the US National Museum, now the National Museum of Natural History. The postcard is unused, but the message side has a printed note about the reptile: "This giant extinct reptile, Dimetrodon gigas, was excavated from the Red Beds of the Permian period of geological history in Texas. It is 5 feet in length, and was a flesh eater as shown by its sharp cutting teeth. It lived on the western plains over 200,000,000 years ago when the area was a desert. It was the dominant animal of the period. The spinous extensions of the vertebrae are believed to have been united in life by a thin membrane, forming a crest along the back." 1933, The Albertype Co., Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 65, Box 16, Folder: Postcards, Negative Numbers SIA2013-07791 (front) and SIA2013-07792 (back).
Grayscale postcard of African lions in the Mammal Hall of the US National Museum, now the National Museum of Natural History. There are five lions, and the male lion is in the middle of the exhibit case, staring out directly at the viewer. The postcard is unused, but the message side has a printed note about the lions: “The lion, represented by numerous local races differing in size and color, occurs in the grassy and moderately wooded regions of Africa, and in one small district of western India. Formerly its range included Macedonia [geographic region covering parts of Greece, Bulgaria, Albania, Kosovo, Serbia, and the Republic of Macedonia] and Asia Minor [Turkey]. Lions are mainly nocturnal in their habits and their well known roar may be heard from early evening throughout the night. The animals shown in the group are descending the bank of a river bed to drink from a water hole dug by zebras, the tracks of which are seen in the sand. Adult male, two adult females, and two cubs from British East Africa, collected on the Smithsonian-Roosevelt African Expedition under the direction of Col. Theodore Roosevelt, 1909.” Learn more about the Smithsonian-Roosevelt African Expedition. 1933, The Albertype Co., Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 65, Box 16, Folder: Postcards, Negative Numbers SIA2013-07795 (front) and SIA2013-07796 (back).
Grayscale postcard of a West African gorilla on exhibit at the US National Museum, now the National Museum of Natural History. The gorilla is standing and holding on to a tree branch. The postcard is unused, but the message side has a printed note about West African gorillas: "Gorillas are restricted to the relatively inaccessible districts of equatorial Africa. The adult male West African gorilla is a huge, powerfully built animal that may be dangerous. Rumors regarding the existence of gorillas stirred human interest for several centuries, but it was not until 1847, when an American Medical missionary, Dr. Thomas Savage, returned to Boston with its remains, that this extraordinary animal was definitely brought to the knowledge of science. The specimen in the National Museum was collected by C. R. Aschemeier in the French Congo, Africa, during the Collins-Garner Congo Expedition [geographic region comprised of Gabon, the Central African Republic, and the Republic of the Congo], 1917-1919." Learn more about the Collins-Garner Congo Expedition. 1933, The Albertype Co., Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 65, Box 16, Folder: Postcards, Negative Numbers SIA2013-07797 (front) and SIA2013-07798 (back).
Grayscale postcard of dik-diks on exhibit at the US National Museum, now the National Museum of Natural History. Four dik-diks are standing and sitting in tall grass. The postcard is unused, but the message side has a printed note about dik-diks: "The dik-diks, with peculiar noses, are the smallest of living antelopes. The tail is reduced to a mere vestige and the male alone has horns, but the two sexes are colored alike. These antelopes range from Central Somaliland and Abyssinia [Ethiopia] southward to Central Tanganyika [United Republic of Tanzania], Africa. The group shown was collected by Edmund Heller in British East Africa during the Rainey African Expedition of 1911." 1933, The Albertype Co., Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 65, Box 16, Folder: Postcards, Negative Numbers SIA2013-07799 (front) and SIA2013-07800 (back).
Grayscale postcard of two skeletons of horned dinosaurs on exhibit at the US National Museum, now the National Museum of Natural History. The larger one is a Triceratops skeleton, and the smaller one is a Brachyceratops skeleton. The postcard is unused, but the message side has a printed note about the dinosaurs: "These skeletons of two extinct reptiles known as Horned Dinosaurs were discovered in the Cretaceous rocks of the West. Triceratops, the larger of the two specimens, shown, named for the three horns on its head, was about 20 feet long. With a head 6 feet in length it had the largest skull of any known reptile. The other skeleton, Brachyceratops, less in size than the skull of the Triceratops, is the smallest of North American horned dinosaurs. Both of these animals were plant eaters, living in the swamps of the western plains. They became extinct over 100,000,000 years ago." 1933, The Albertype Co., Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 65, Box 16, Folder: Postcards, Negative Numbers SIA2013-07803 (front) and SIA2013-07804 (back).
Grayscale postcard of Toltec Indians on exhibit at the US National Museum, now the National Museum of Natural History. There are two Native American men in the exhibit and they are cutting into a block of stone. The postcard is unused, but the message side has a printed note about the Toltecs: "The Toltec Indians of Mexico, like the Maya of the Yucatan and Guatemala, were master builders of prehistoric America. Although they dwelt in simple huts, their temples were of stone, quarried from the mountain side and intricately carved with stone tools. The two men in this group are represented in the act of cutting designs in blocks of stone." 1933, The Albertype Co., Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 65, Box 16, Folder: Postcards, Negative Numbers SIA2013-07805 (front) and SIA2013-07806 (back).
Grayscale postcard of the Tuxtla statuette on exhibit at the US National Museum, now the National Museum of Natural History. A face and other designs have been carved into the statuette. The postcard is unused, but the message side has a printed note about the statuette: "The Original Tuxtla Statuette, oldest known dated antiquity from the New World. Found near San Andreas Tuxtla, in the State of Vera Cruz, Mexico, in 1902, this jadeite figurine, 16.5 cm. (6.5 inches) high, bears upon its front an incised Maya date corresponding to 98 B. C." After further research, the statuette was given a new date of 162 A.D. 1933, The Albertype Co., Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 65, Box 16, Folder: Postcards, Negative Number SIA2013-07807 (front) and SIA2013-07808 (back).
Color postcard of the Natural History Building, also called the US National Museum, and now known as the National Museum of Natural History. The view is from the right side of the building. The grounds are empty and the trees are bare. The postcard is unused, and its front has white edging. 1934, Curt Teich & Co., Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 95, Box 75, Folder: 9, Negative Numbers SIA2013-06647 (front) and SIA2013-06648 (back).
Color postcard of the Colonial Room in the US National Museum, now the National Museum of Natural History. The Colonial Room collection is now at the National Museum of American History. Chairs surround the room, and a table with various wares on it is in the center. Much of the wall is wood-paneled. The postcard is unused, and its front has white edging. 1934, Curt Teich & Co., Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 95, Box 45, Folder: 23, Negative Numbers SIA2013-07221 (front) and SIA2013-07222 (back).
Color postcard of African lions in the Mammal Hall on display at the US National Museum, now the National Museum of Natural History. There are five lions, and the male lion is in the middle of the exhibit case, staring out directly at the viewer. The specimens came from the Smithsonian African Expedition (1909-1910), headed by Theodore Roosevelt, and were mounted by George B. Turner. The postcard is unused, and its front has white edging. Learn more about the Smithsonian-Roosevelt African Expedition. 1934, Curt Teich & Co., Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 95, Box 84, Folder: 28, Negative Numbers SIA2013-06657 (front) and SIA2013-06658 (back).
Color postcard of the Natural History Building, now the National Museum of Natural History. Its roof is red, although in reality it is a shade of gold. The sky is blue with white and pink clouds. There are blue, yellow, and red cars parked in front of the museum. The trees on each side of the postcard are green. The postcard is unused, but the message side has a printed note about the museum: "Facing the Smithsonian Institution Building on the opposite side of The Mall is the Natural History Building, US National Museum, a four-story white granite structure built at a cost of $3,500,000. It contains the collections and laboratories of natural history, including biology, geology, ethnology, and archeology, and also the National Collection of Fine Arts." The front of the postcard has a white border. c. 1937-1945, Capitol Souvenir Company, Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 95, Box 84, Folder: 25, Negative Numbers SIA2011-2277 (front) and SIA2011-2278 (back).
Grayscale postcard of a 70-foot Diplodocus longus dinosaur skeleton on display at the US National Museum, now the National Museum of Natural History. The front of the postcard has a white border, and it is labeled as one of the "Free Post Cards For Service Men" distributed during World War II. The postcard is unused. 1942, Curt Teich & Co., Smithsonian Institution Archives, Collection T90126, Box 1, Folder: 3, Negative Numbers SIA2013-07711 (front) and SIA 2013-07712 (back).
Color postcard of the US National Museum, now the National Museum of Natural History. The roof is reddish-orange, although in reality it is a shade of gold. A tree is in front of the museum, along with several red and blue cars. The postcard is numbered 39 in the top right-hand corner on the front. The message side of the postcard has a printed note about the museum: "All objects of art, natural history, curious research, plants, geological and mineralogical specimens of the United States are found in this Museum." The postcard is addressed to Miss Patricia Dolan, with the following message for her: "Dear Pat, Is your vacation over yet? You had a nice long one, eh? Lil and I are having a swell time. It's rained a couple of days but that didn't make any difference to us. See you soon. Love, Marcia" August 29, 1945, Calvert News Co., Courtesy of a private collector, No copy available at the Smithsonian Institution Archives.
Color postcard of skeletons in the Dinosaur Hall exhibit at the National Museum of Natural History. A Pterodactyl hangs from the ceiling, and a Triceratops skull is in the bottom left-hand corner. Diplodocus longus, the dinosaur with a long neck, is in the center. c. 1990s, Unknown, History Division Infofile, Negative Number SIA2013-01061.
Color postcard advertising the opening of the Janet Annenberg Hooker Hall of Geology, Gems & Minerals at the National Museum of Natural History. Various gemstones are set against a black background on the front. The postcard is unused, but the message side has printed information about the new hall in the museum. 1997, by Chip Clark, Smithsonian Institution Archives, Collection 12-100, Box 1, Folder: Janet Annenberg Hooker Hall of Geology, Gems & Minerals, 1997, Negative Numbers SIA2013-07753 (front) and SIA2013-07754 (back).
Color postcard advertising the opening of the Vikings: The North Atlantic Saga exhibit at the National Museum of Natural History. The image is of a Viking ship on the water which is surrounded by a black border. The postcard is unused, but the message side is filled with printed information about the exhibit. 2000, by Antonio Otto Rabasca, Smithsonian Institution Archives, Collection 12-100, Box 1, Folder: Vikings: The North Atlantic Saga 2000, Negative Numbers SIA2013-07755 (front) and SIA2013-07756 (back).
Color postcard advertising the Peter Rabbit's Garden: A Beatrix Potter Exhibition at the National Museum of Natural History. An image of Peter Rabbit is on the right side of the postcard, against a mint green background. The postcard is unused, but the message side is filled with printed information about the exhibit. 2002, Frederick Warne & Co., Smithsonian Institution Archives, Collection 12-100, Box 1, Folder: Peter Rabbit's Garden: A Beatrix Potter Exhibition 2002, Negative Numbers SIA2013-07757 (front) and SIA2013-07758 (back).