Science, Signals, and Service: The Smithsonian Institution’s Role During the Civil War

Today, the Smithsonian is known for its world-famous exhibits, massive collections of American and natural history artifacts, and its contributions to research around the world. But many people don’t know the role the Smithsonian played during the Civil War. The Smithsonian Castle was finished in 1855 and would become the first home of the research center, the library, and the US Museum. The government recognized the importance of the Institution and, after war was declared, the US Secretary of War ordered Joseph Henry, the Smithsonian Secretary, be issued twelve muskets and 240 rounds of ammunition “for the protection of the Institute against lawless attacks.” The building was in a vulnerable position because it was situated in between the Capitol Building and the White House, and cut off from the rest of the city by the Washington Canal . The Institution was witness to soldiers on parade, as well as to the thousands of wounded soldiers sent back to the city after the First Battle of Bull Run. It suffered no war damage, but suffered from financial woes because Congress was more focused on paying for the war than paying the interest on the Smithson bequest. The inflation and currency devaluation of the era also affected finances

Internet Reviews: Smithsonian Ocean Portal

This column comprises a review of the Smithsonian Ocean Portal, an Internet resource created by Smithsonian Institution\u27s Museum of Natural History

Smithsonian Biodiversity Outreach Program in Gabon

This report was prepared for the Smithsonian Institution\u27s Monitoring and Assessment of Biodiversity Program (MAB). Our project created lesson plans regarding ecological problems in Gabon and the research of the Smithsonian to mitigate these problems. The report describes the methods used in creating the lesson plans, and an analysis of the structure, content, activities developed, and recommendations for future lesson plans. The implementation of these lesson plans will provide the Gabonese youth awareness of the ecological issues of their country as well as knowledge of Smithsonian Institution research

Letter to Jane Claire Dirks Acknowledging Smithsonian Specimen Contributions

Many of the specimens collected by Jane Claire Dirks (later Jane Claire Dirks-Edmunds) went on to become part of her colleagues\u27 collections. In this letter, Paul Bartsch, Curator of the the Divisions of Mollusks and Cenozoic Invertebrates at the Smithsonian Institution, thanks Dirks for shells she sent to the museum

The Origins and Early History of the Steamer Albatross, 1880–18

Spencer Fullerton Baird (Fig. 1), a noted systematic zoologist and builder of scientific institutions in 19th century America, persuaded the U.S. Congress to establish the United States Commission of Fish and Fisheries1 in March 1871. At that time, Baird was Assistant Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution. Following the death of Joseph Henry in 1878, he became head of the institution, a position he held until his own demise in 1887. In addition to his many duties as a Smithsonian official, including his prominent role in developing the Smithsonian’s Federally funded National Museum as the repository for governmental scientific collections, Baird directed the Fish Commission from 1871 until 1887. The Fish Commission’s original mission was to determine the reasons and remedies for the apparent decline of American fisheries off southern New England as well as other parts of the United States. In 1872, Congress further directed the Commission to begin a large fish hatching program aimed at increasing the supply of American food

The Smithsonian Institution and Research

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Descriptions of new fishes from Panama

The following preliminary descriptions are of new fishes obtained by the authors during their first season's work on the Biological Survey of the Canal Zone, the ichthyological work of which is being conducted cooperatively by the Field Museum of Natural History and the Smithsonian Institution. (2 page document

Exhibit still open to the public

Time is running out for Clark County area citizens to enjoy a Smithsonian Museum exhibit here in Arkadelphia. The Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service of the Museum on Main Street program and the Arkansas Humanities Council have partnered to bring Hometown Teams: How Sports Shape America to Ouachita Baptist University

Annual report -- Smithsonian Institution. Letter from the secretary of the Smithsonian institution, transmitting the annual report.

Annual Report of the Smithsonian Institution. 1 Mar. SMD 24, 33-2, v1, 463p. [772] or HMD 37, 33-2, v1, 463p. [807] Research related to North American Indians