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Introduction
Information on the history of the Smithsonian Institution, for researchers and the general public, is available from the staff of the Institutional History Division, in addition to the primary sources that can be found in the Smithsonian Institution Archives. |
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The Institutional History Division is dedicated to advancing the knowledge and understanding of the history of the Smithsonian Institution. Division staff conduct research and prepare reports, scholarly and popular publications, databases, website resources, documentary editions, and exhibits on the history of the Institution, its legal history, and its role in American museums and intellectual and social history.
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The Oral History Program supplements existing documentation in the Archives through audio and videotaped interviews with administrative and scholarly staff. The Oral History and Smithsonian Videohistory Collections document the history of the Institution and staff research in the history of science and technology.
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The Joseph Henry Papers Project, 1966 - 2007, produced an eleven-volume edition of the unpublished papers of Joseph Henry (1797-1878), a pioneer of physics in America and the first Secretary of the Smithsonian. The project obtained copies of all the Henry documents previously scattered in institutions in the United States and Europe to supplement the Henry manuscripts in custody of the Smithsonian Archives.
In addition to work in the history of physics and cognate subjects, research at the Henry Papers entailed consideration of the history of higher education; the development of federal policy in regard to science; the origins of ethnology in America; American attitudes toward learning and research; and the relationship of scientific theory and practice--all topics relevant to a study of Henry's far-ranging career. |
Institutional History Division staff provide information and advice on the history of the Smithsonian, legal history of the Smithsonian, American social and cultural history, history of science, history of women in science, history of museums, public history, oral history, and documentary editing.
Contact information: SIHistory@si.edu or 202-633-5910. For additional information, visit http://siarchives.si.edu/sia/ihd.html.
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