Frequently Asked
Questions
Categories
Smithsonian Institution Information & History
I need general information on the Smithsonian.
See "About the Smithsonian."
My family is planning a trip to visit the Smithsonian. I need information on museums, exhibits, hours, locations, etc.
A perusal of "Visitor Information" will give you all the information you need to plan an enjoyable visit. Particularly see "About the Smithsonian;" "Hours of Operation;" "Visitors with Disabilities: Accessibility at the Smithsonian;" and "Events: What's Happening at the Smithsonian."
I am looking for general information on Smithsonian Buildings.
See "Buildings of the Smithsonian" by the Architectural History and Historic Preservation Division.
I need information on the history of the Smithsonian for a school report.
The Smithsonian Institution Archives provides reference service to fairly specific questions dealing with Smithsonian history. For resources on Smithsonian history visit the Institutional History Division, specifically Exhibits on Smithsonian History.
Who is the Secretary of the Smithsonian? What does he/she do? Who were other Secretaries?
The Secretary of the Smithsonian, appointed by the Board of Regents, is the Institution's chief executive officer. The current Secretary is G. Wayne Clough, who assumed his duties in July 2008. Former Smithsonian Secretaries have included Joseph Henry, 1846-1878; Spencer F. Baird, 1878-1887; Samuel P. Langley, 1887-1906; Charles D. Walcott, 1907-1927; Charles G. Abbot, 1928-1944; Alexander Wetmore, 1944-1952; Leonard Carmichael, 1953-1964; S. Dillon Ripley, 1964-1984; Robert McC. Adams, 1984-1994; I. Michael Heyman, 1994-1999; Lawrence M. Small, 2000-2007; and Cristián Samper, Acting Secretary, 2007-2008.
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Photographs
I want to use a photograph credited to the Smithsonian Institution in my forthcoming book. How can I acquire a copy?
Acquiring Smithsonian photographs can be very easy or quite tricky. If you know the negative numbers of the photographs you are interested in, you can contact the Smithsonian Photographic Services office (SPS) at 202-633-1933. SPS will see that you receive the proper ordering forms and information. If you do not have negative numbers, or the photographs do not have negatives, then the process becomes more complicated. Smithsonian photographic resources are scattered amongst the many museums and research organizations under the Smithsonian umbrella. You will need to figure out where within the Smithsonian the photograph(s) reside before contacting SPS. If the photographs are part of the Smithsonian Archives collections, please contact the reference staff and we will be happy to assist you.
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I am interested in historical photographs of the Smithsonian.
The Smithsonian Archives has a large general collection of photographs. Included are images of Smithsonian personnel, buildings, exhibitions, specimens, events, world's fairs and expositions, and other topics relating to the history of the Smithsonian. In addition, photographs are often found in Smithsonian records and special collections of personal/professional papers of Smithsonian staff. Researchers may wish to visit "Historic Pictures of the Smithsonian Institution" (http://www.si.edu/archives/historic/index.htm) for a selection of photographs documenting Smithsonian history; or view a list of photographic collections in SIA (http://siarchives.si.edu/research/images.html).
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I'm looking for historical photographs of American gardens.
You need to contact the Archives of American Gardens. For information see "Agriculture" in Encyclopedia Smithsonian.
I need to purchase photographs of Sitting Bull, Crazy Horse, and other famous Native Americans.
The National Anthropological Archives and the National Museum of the American Indian both have large collections of photographs documenting Native American life and culture. See "American Indian History and Culture" in Encyclopedia Smithsonian.
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Personal Collections, Appraisal, & Preservation
Can the Smithsonian identify and appraise an artifact I own?
The Smithsonian does not, as a matter of policy, offer appraisals or monetary valuations of objects for the public. However, the Smithsonian has compiled information that may serve useful. The American Society of Appraisers can direct you to an appraiser in your area. For additional assistance, contact the Smithsonian Information Center at 202-633-1000 (voice/tape) or 202-633-5285 (TTY).
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I want to determine the value of an old book in my possession.
See "Information Technology" in Encyclopedia Smithsonian.
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I understand I can get plans of WW II era fighter planes at the Smithsonian.
You should contact the Archives Division, National Air and Space Museum. Also see "Aeronautics" in Encyclopedia Smithsonian.
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I'm building a model of a bark canoe and understand the Smithsonian has a collection of ship plans. How can I get access to these plans?
See "Ships" in Encyclopedia Smithsonian.
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Genealogy
I think I am a descendant of James Smithson. How can I find out?
The Smithsonian Institution Archives often gets inquiries from those who believe they are related to James Smithson. These beliefs are based on their having the same name, "Smithson," or on a family tradition that such a relationship exists. Belief in the existence of such a connection is certainly held in good faith. However, there is virtually no factual basis for anyone to claim descent from James Smithson. James Smithson was born in France about 1765. The exact date and place of his birth are unknown. He was the illegitimate child of Elizabeth Keate Macie and Hugh Smithson, Baronet. He lived for some years in France, was admitted to Oxford's Pembroke College in 1782, graduating in 1786. Smithson never married or had children. He lived a quiet and rather retired life, much of it in Italy, where he died in 1829. In his will Smithson left the income of his estate to a nephew, James Henry Hungerford, during the nephew's lifetime. He expressly provided that, should Hungerford marry or have children, legitimate or illegitimate, the whole of Smithson's estate should pass to such child or children. If not, the money was to go to the United States to found the Smithsonian Institution. When Smithson's will was admitted to probate in the British Court of Chancery, that court required the United States to make an extensive effort to discover if Smithson's nephew had fathered any children, since they would have had sole claim on the estate if they existed. Such heirs were advertised for in Continental and English newspapers in vain. So it was that the United States, the contingent beneficiary, received the money with which to found the Smithsonian Institution. Twice more during the nineteenth century the Smithsonian tried to find Smithson descendants, to no effect. A man who has no children necessarily cannot have any direct descendants. No amount of family tradition can escape this simple fact. It is of course possible that someone might be related to Smithson collaterally through other members of his family. However, the Smithsonian Institution has never made any attempt to gather much information on other members of the Smithson family. In any case, most of our inquirers are interested in a relationship by direct descent; and such a relationship cannot exist, as explained above.
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My ancestor worked for the Smithsonian. What information do you have?
If you have a relative who worked for the Smithsonian, United States National Museum, National Zoological Park, or one of the myriad of other Smithsonian organizations, we may have information in the Smithsonian Institution Archives. Old payroll records, personnel files, annual reports, photographs, and other records often provide this information. Please contact the Archives at osiaref@si.edu with your question.
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My Great-Grandfather was a meteorological observer for the Smithsonian. Do you have information on him?
Quite possibly. Record Unit 60, Records of the Meteorological Project, 1849-1875, contains correspondence and weather data of many of Joseph Henry's vast network of observers. Please contact the reference staff.
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Donations & Donors
I would like to donate an object to the Smithsonian Institution. Would you be interested? If so, what should I do?
The Smithsonian acquires thousands of objects and specimens each year for its collection holdings through donation, bequest, purchase, exchange, and field collecting. The Institution accepts only items that truly fill a gap in the collections and then only after careful consideration by museum curators and directors. Because of this rigorous selection process, the Smithsonian adds to its collections only a tiny percentage of what it is offered. The first thing you should do is contact the Smithsonian museum most closely associated with your object. For example, if it is an Amish quilt, you could contact the National Museum of American History. If in doubt, refer to the Encyclopedia Smithsonian, Collection Highlights, or Smithsonian web category for museum and research centers. Once you have contacted the museum, you should be able to obtain the name of a contact person or curator responsible for the specific subject area. Inform the individual about the object that you would like to donate. The person, at that time, may be able to tell you if the museum would be interested or not. If you are unable to speak to someone, send a letter of inquiry including a description of the object, copies of associated information (bill of sale, family or object history, etc.) and a photograph of the object. DO NOT SEND OBJECTS in the mail without prior approval from the museum. Make sure to include your name, return address, and phone number on the letter and photograph. Send your letter to Smithsonian Information at info@si.edu, or call 202-633-1000 (voice/tape) or 202-633-5285 (TTY).
If the museum is interested in accepting your donation, museum staff will notify you of the procedures to follow. If the museum can not accommodate the donation, staff may recommend a more appropriate museum or repository which can effectively use the object.
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How do I locate an object that was donated to the Smithsonian in the past? Contact the specific Smithsonian museum where the object was donated. Have the name of the donor, date of donation, and object description available. If you are unsure which Smithsonian museum may contain the object in question, refer to the Encyclopedia Smithsonian, Collection Highlights, or Smithsonian web category for museum and research centers. If you are unable to speak to museum staff, write or call the Smithsonian Information Center: info@si.edu; 202-633-1000 (voice/tape) or 202-633-5285 (TTY).
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I would like to donate my personal papers to the Smithsonian Institution Archives. Would you be interested? If so, what should I do?
The Smithsonian Institution Archives collects personal papers of those closely associated with the Smithsonian itself. SIA rarely acquires papers unrelated to the Institution's activities and history. Prospective donors should contact SIA's Records Management Team, which is responsible for acquiring materials. An archivist, at that time, may be able to tell you if SIA would be interested or not. Send your inquiry to siarm@si.edu, or call 202-633-5920. If the Archives can not accommodate the donation, staff may recommend a more appropriate repository which can effectively use the papers.
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American History & Art
My family and I want to see the Declaration of Independence when we visit the Smithsonian this summer. Please send information.
The Declaration of Independence, as well as the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, are in the National Archives and Records Administration. Check the NARA website at http://www.archives.gov/ for information on viewing these historic charters.
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I think I have an original draft of the Gettysburg Address. How can I get it authenticated?
You should begin by viewing the Library of Congress' on-line exhibition on the Gettysburg Address at http://lcweb.loc.gov/exhibits/gadd/.
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I need information on the "Star-Spangled Banner" for a school report.
See "Star-Spangled Banner" in Encyclopedia Smithsonian.
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I'm doing a school paper on the Civil War and need resources. Can you help?
For American History resources at the Smithsonian see various topics in Encyclopedia Smithsonian.
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I'm interested in correspondence of American Artists.
The Smithsonian Institution Archives houses the records of the Smithsonian American Art Museum, the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, and the National Portrait Gallery. These records are primarily administrative in nature and concern exhibitions, research of curators, and office administration. A better bet for correspondence and other papers of American artists is the Archives of American Art. See also "American Art" in Encyclopedia Smithsonian.
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Revised 10/22/2009 |
