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CodeCX5975
Dates1846-present
Person NameSmithsonian Institution; 1846-present
ActivityThe Smithsonian Institution was established with funds from James Smithson (1765-1829), a British scientist who left his estate to the United States to found at Washington, under the name of the Smithsonian Institution, an establishment for the increase and diffusion of knowledge. Smithson died in 1829, and six years later, President Andrew Jackson announced the bequest to Congress. On July 1, 1836, Congress accepted the legacy bequeathed to the nation and pledged the faith of the United States to the charitable trust. In September 1838, Smithson’s legacy, which amounted to more than 100,000 gold sovereigns, was delivered to the mint at Philadelphia. Recoined in U.S. currency, the gift amounted to more than $500,000.

After eight years of sometimes heated debate, an Act of Congress signed by President James K. Polk on Aug. 10, 1846, established the Smithsonian Institution as a trust to be administered by a Board of Regents and a Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution.

The Smithsonian’s natural history collections have their origins in the 1838–1842 United States Exploring Expedition, which circumnavigated the globe amassing cultural and natural history collections. Concern over how to care for the collections led to the provision for a museum as part of the Smithsonian Institution’s enabling act of 1846. In 1858, the US Congress began to provide appropriations for the United States National Museum and all the government’s collections were transferred to the Smithsonian Institution. The Smithsonian also received specimens by gift or purchase in the late 1840s. In 1850, the newly appointed Assistant Secretary Spencer F. Baird donated his personal natural history collection to the Institution. During the 1850s and 1860s, several expeditions which explored the American West, sent additional specimens to the Institution. The collections were initially housed in the Institution’s first building, the Smithsonian Institution Building, or Castle, which was completed in 1855.

The National Collections were moved to the newly constructed National Museum Building, now the Arts and Industries Building, in 1881. But within two years, the new building was overflowing with collections and Smithsonian management requested another building from the US Congress. Legislation for the new building finally passed in 1902, providing for a granite structure across the National Mall from the Smithsonian Castle.

On March 17, 1910, the new US National Museum, now the National Museum of Natural History, opened to the public, although construction of the building was not completed until June 20, 1911. Initially, the National Museum housed art, culture, history, geology, and natural history collections, totaling over ten million objects. Taxidermists produced striking new exhibits, featuring specimens collected on the Smithsonian-Roosevelt African Expedition of 1909–1910, and art exhibits that drew large audiences. Not surprisingly, the new building soon ran out of storage space. During the 1930s, new wings were authorized to be built to accommodate the ever growing collections, but as the Great Depression worsened, funding was never received. In the 1950s and 1960s, an Exhibits Modernization Program systematically updated the exhibits in the museum, and the National Museum acquired such iconic objects as the Fénykövi elephant and the Hope diamond.

.In 1957, the US National Museum created two administrative subdivisions: the Museum of Natural History and the Museum of History and Technology, now the National Museum of American History. The US National Museum was eliminated as an administrative entity in 1967, and the Museum of Natural History became a separate administrative unit. By 1969, the art and history collections had moved to new museums, and the building was renamed the National Museum of Natural History. Research, collections, and exhibits now focused on anthropology, botany, geology, paleontology, and zoology. During the 1960's, new wings were finally added to the east and west sides of the building to accommodate expanding collections and staff. In 1960, the architectural firm Mills, Petticord, and Mills was selected to design the east wing and the following year a west wing. By 1965, construction of both additions was completed. The wings are designed with six floors in addition to the basement and ground floor, with the second, fourth and sixth floors directly connected to the main building.

.By the late 1970s, collections were again overflowing and a Museum Support Center was planned in Suitland, Maryland. When it opened in 1983, it housed collections, specialized laboratories, and conservation facilities. New outreach programs were developed during the 1970s, including the Insect Zoo, Discovery Room, and Naturalists’ Center. The groundbreaking Dynamics of Evolution exhibit established that evolution could be presented in American museums. In the 1990s and 2000s, another series of exhibit renovations produced the new Fossils Hall, Behring Mammals Hall, Sant Ocean Hall, and Koch Hall of Human Origins.

The National Museum of Natural History has a long tradition of field work and collecting across the globe. During the heyday of oceanographic exploration in the 1960s, the then Museum of Natural History established the Smithsonian Oceanographic Sorting Center to classify and distribute marine specimens to museums worldwide. In the 1970s, scientists began to expand field research programs to more permanent stations, with the Smithsonian Marine Station at Fort Pierce created in 1971, and the Carrie Bow Cay field station in Belize established in 1972.
Corporate NameSmithsonian Institution
Catalogue
RefNoTitleSource
DF/BOT/400/12/62United States National Museum 
DF/ZOO/200/143/29Smithsonian Institution (Temporary File) 
DF/BOT/400/16/31Correspondence U 
DF/ENT/340/15/10Muesebeck, Dr Carl Frederick William  
DF/MIN/1/49/19Smithsonian Museum 
DF/ZOO/253/4/2/10Crabill, Ralph, Smithsonian Institution, Washington DC 
DF/ZOO/200/30/172Goode, George Brown 
DF/ZOO/230/122/324USA (Washington DC - Smithsonian Institution): US National Museum 
DF/PAL/100/80/39Bassler, R S (Smithsonian, Washington) 
DF/ZOO/236/1/309External Correspondence: Wetmore, Dr A., Smithsonian Institute 
DF/BOT/400/14/33Correspondence U 
DF/ZOO/200/62/75Smithsonian Institution (Washington, USA) 
DF/ZOO/230/122/322USA (Washington DC - Smithsonian Institution): US National Museum 
DF/ZOO/230/122/319USA (Washington DC - Smithsonian Institution): US National Museum 
DF/PAL/100/168/24Myers, George S 
DF/TM/3/11/96/12McCain, Lucile 
DF/ZOO/235/1/1/1/313Goode, G Brown  
DF/ZOO/200/16/448Smithsonian Institution 
DF/ZOO/232/6/15/1/9American National Museum 
DF/ZOO/200/3/168-171Gill, William Wyatt 
DF/PAL/100/185/22Roberts, Henry B 
DF/ZOO/200/138/12Smithsonian Oceonographical Centre 
DF/ZOO/200/23/11-15Baird, Spencer Fullerton 
DF/MIN/1/130USA: Smithsonian Institution, minerals correspondence 
DF/ZOO/200/24/84aEarll, [Robert] Edward 
DF/ZOO/230/122/320USA (Washington DC - Smithsonian Institution): (US National Museum) 
DF/TR/1/1/34/484Smithsonion Institution 
DF/TM/1/20/11Correspondence G: Godman; Goode; Gorham 
DF/ZOO/236/4/6External Correspondence: Rand, A Stanley 
DF/ZOO/236/4/13External Correspondence: Beehler, Dr Bruce 
DF/ZOO/200/143/31Smithsonian Institution, Exchange of Types  
DF/PAL/100/41/188Langley, Samuel Pierpoint 
DF/PAL/100/181/27Ravenel, W de C 
DF/BOT/400/17/15Correspondence M 
DF/ZOO/232/6/13/17/9Wetmore, A 
DF/ZOO/230/139Bird Section Correspondence: O 
DF/ZOO/232/6/15/8/10Kellogg, Remington 
DF/ZOO/200/30/9Baird, Spencer Fullerton 
DF/ZOO/232/6/15/1/8American Museum of Natural History 
DF/ZOO/253/4/5/1Jensen - Jarms 
DF/ZOO/200/36/166Goode, [George] Brown 
DF/ZOO/200/47/421Smithsonian [Institution] 
DF/ZOO/236/1/385Subject File: Miller’s Rail - Rallus nigra 
DF/PAL/131/1/90Kornicker, Louis S 
DF/ZOO/230/4/285Rathbun, Richard  
DF/PAL/100/26/29Lucas, F.A. 
DF/ZOO/235/1/1/4/133Langley, S. P. 
DF/ZOO/230/4/295-296Richmond, [Charles] W  
DF/ZOO/235/1/1/2/171Rathbun, R 
DF/PAL/100/27/63Smithsonian Institution 
DF/ZOO/236/4/484African Atlas Correspondence: Watson, Dr George E, Smithsonian Institution, USA 
DF/ZOO/236/4/53External Correspondence: Storrs L. Olson, Storrs L 
DF/ZOO/236/4/331External Correspondence (Cotingidae): Farrand Jr., Dr John 
DF/PAL/131/1/19Benson, Richard H 
DF/ZOO/236/4/205External Correspondence: Beehler, Bruce 
DF/ZOO/236/4/408African Atlas Correspondence: Bond, Gorman M, U S National Museum, Smithsonian Institution 
DF/ZOO/236/3/61External Correspondence: Angle, J.Phillip & Dr Storrs Olson 
DF/ZOO/236/3/76External Correspondence: Dean, James 
DF/ZOO/230/122/316USA (Washington DC - Smithsonian Institution): International Council for Bird Preservation 
DF/PAL/123/3/1/4Jefferies, Richard Peter Spencer: Correspondence with Porter M Kier, Department of Palaeobiology, Smithsonian 
DF/ZOO/200/15/218Henry, Joseph 
DF/PAL/100/84/1Boardman, R S (Smithsonian, Washington) 
DF/PAL/100/125/7Graf, J E 
DF/PAL/100/147/24Knight, J Brookes 
DF/PAL/100/137/13Hrdlicka, A 
DF/PAL/100/164/17Mifsud, C V 
DF/PAL/100/172/5Oehser, Paul H 
DF/ADM/1004/678Smithsonian Institution: correspondence on transit of ammunition to India 
DF/ZOO/200/15/21-22Baird, Spencer Fullerton 
DF/ZOO/200/17/8-10Baird, Spencer Fullerton 
DF/ZOO/200/25/134-136Goode, George Brown 
DF/ZOO/200/26/127-128aGoode, George Brown 
DF/ZOO/200/29/15-16Baird, Spencer Fullerton 
DF/ZOO/200/29/156Goode, George Brown 
DF/ZOO/200/31/5Baird, Spencer Fullerton 
DF/ZOO/200/38/420True, Frederick William 
DF/ZOO/230/122/323USA (Washington DC - Smithsonian Institution): US National Museum 
DF/ZOO/235/1/1/2/77Gears, R  
DF/ZOO/200/52/492Rathbun, [Richard] 
DF/MIN/1/86/7US Department of Interior 
DF/ZOO/235/1/4/1/75Rathbun, Richard 
DF/ZOO/235/1/1/9/117Hay, O. P. 
DF/ZOO/236/4/305External Correspondence: Eyde, Dr Richard H. 
DF/ZOO/230/122/318USA (Washington DC - Smithsonian Institution): US National Museum 
DF/ZOO/230/122/317USA (Washington DC - Smithsonian Institution): US National Museum 
DF/ZOO/236/4/191External Correspondence: Greenberg, Russell 
DF/ZOO/235/1/1/1/481Lucas, F A 
DF/ZOO/235/1/1/4/17Bean, B. A. 
DF/ZOO/235/1/1/6/115Johnson, H. E. 
DF/ZOO/235/1/1/5/200Rathbun, Richard 
DF/ZOO/236/1/229External Correspondence: Olson, Dr Storrs L., Smithsonian Inst., Washington 
DF/ZOO/236/4/466African Atlas Correspondence: Ripley, Dr S Dillon, U S National Museum, Smithsonian Institution 
DF/ENT/331/8/20Peter F Mattingly: Southeast Asia Mosquito Project (SEAMP) 
DF/BOT/400/15/25Correspondence U 
DF/ZOO/236/4/297Correspondence and Subject file: Fruits 
DF/BOT/400/13/100United States National Museum 
DF/ZOO/253/4/2/5Cairns, Douglas, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington DC 
DF/PAL/100/80/38Bassler, R S (Smithsonian, Washington) 
DF/PAL/100/24/24Lucas, F A 
DF/PAL/100/98/1Clark, Austin Hobart 
DF/ZOO/213/104British Museum (Natural History), Australian Museum, Smithsonian Expedition Joint Expedition to Papua New Guinea: report of G Palmer, with copies of correspondence 
DF/TR/1/1/31/559Smithsonian Institution 
DF/ZOO/232/6/7/7/10Miller, G.S. 
DF/PAL/100/102/1Cooper G Arthur 
DF/ENT/331/8/21Mattingly, Peter F: Southeast Asia Mosquitoe Project (SEAMP) 
DF/TM/1/23/7Correspondence S: Smithsonian Institution; Société Entomologique de France; Sömmering; Sondermann 
DF/PAL/100/144/26Kellogg, Remington 
DF/ZOO/200/13/27Baird, Spencer Fullerton 
DF/BOT/400/17/19Correspondence R 
DF/TM/3/11/92/7McCain, Lucile 
DF/ZOO/236/4/201External Correspondence: Smith, Lyman B 
DF/ZOO/200/22/9Baird, Spencer Fullerton 
DF/ZOO/200/24/9-10aBaird, Spencer Fullerton 
DF/TR/1/1/25/382Richmond, [Charles] [Wallace] 
DF/ZOO/235/1/1/1/696Shufeldt, R W 
DF/ZOO/200/40/145Goode, [George] Brown 
DF/ZOO/200/59/24Smithsonian Institution (Washington, USA) 
DF/ZOO/232/6/12/34/5Wetmore, A 
DF/ZOO/235/1/1/1/799Walcott, C 
DF/ZOO/200/22/364-365Yarrow, Henry Crécy 
DF/TM/1/5/9Correspondence S: Smith; Smithsonian; Smoljaninoff; Spatz 
DF/PAL/100/181/32Ray, Clayton E 
DF/PAL/100/183/8Rehder, Harald A 
DF/ZOO/230/122/315USA (Washington DC): US Department of the Interior - Fish & Wildlife Service 
DF/ZOO/230/122/321USA (Washington DC - Smithsonian Institution): (US National Museum) 
DF/PAL/100/56/243Smithsonian Institution 
DF/PAL/100/56/244Smithsonian Institution 
DF/PAL/100/145/26Kier, Porter M 
DF/ZOO/200/19/8-9Baird, Spencer Fullerton 
DF/ZOO/200/22/352-353Wesley, William 
DF/ZOO/200/28/9Baird, Spencer Fullerton 
DF/ZOO/200/25/390True, Frederick William 
DF/ZOO/200/27/486-487True, Frederick William 
DF/ZOO/200/27/134-135Goode, George Brown 
DF/ZOO/200/27/2a-3Baird, Spencer Fullerton 
DF/ZOO/200/31/173-173aGoode, George Brown 
DF/ZOO/200/31/407-408True, Frederick William 
DF/ZOO/200/35/185-186Goode, [George] Brown 
DF/ZOO/200/4/44-53Henry, Joseph 
DF/ZOO/200/52/56-59Rathbun, [Richard] 
DF/ZOO/235/1/1/8/191Rathbun, Richard. 
DF/ZOO/264/1/101Echinodermata correspondence: Smithsonian Institution (USA) 
DF/ENT/340/20/28Smith - Snow 
DF/TM/1/156/2Oversize correspondence: Merrill; Miller; Mönch 
DF/TR/1/1/24/104Cullingford, [Joseph] S 
DF/ZOO/232/6/12/20/1Miller, G.S 
DF/ZOO/252/12Calman, William Thomas: Correspondence and Papers 
DF/ZOO/253/4/5/15Larson, R; Larson, K 
WP/16/2/13Letter to William Greenell Wallace from British Museum Department of Ethnography, London 
DF/ZOO/200/143/30Smithsonian Institution, centre-punched cards  
DF/ZOO/253/4/3/14Haddad - Hutchings 
DF/ZOO/253/4/5/19Malin - Müller 
DF/ZOO/253/4/2/4Cannon - Costa Belém 
DF/ENT/331/8/18Mattingly, Peter F: Southeast Asia Mosquito Project (SEAMP) 
DF/ENT/331/8/19Mattingly, Peter F: Southeast Asia Mosquito Project (SEAMP) 
DF/ENT/332/3/6/3Fletcher, T Bainbrigge 
DF/ZOO/238/5/14/1/3SF14 Remington Kellogg Delphinidae etc 
DF/PAL/128/6/4Correspondence of Francis Arthur Bather 
DF/BOT/400/6/52United States National Museum 
DF/MIN/1/68/63Henderson, E P 
DF/MIN/1/84/5Smithsonian Institution 
DF/MIN/1/129USA: Smithsonian Institution, meteorites correspondence 
DF/ZOO/264Echinodermata and Protochordata Section Correspondence and Papers 
DF/ZOO/235/1/1/6/184Rathbun, Richard. 
DF/ZOO/235/1/1/9/210Rathbun, R 
DF/ZOO/230/122/325USA (Washington DC - Smithsonian Institution): US National Museum 
DF/ZOO/200/38/131-132Goode, [George] Brown 
DF/ZOO/200/47/46-47Goode, [George] Brown 
DF/ZOO/200/49/158Ashmead, William H 
DF/ZOO/200/52/129Wesley and Son, [William] 
DF/ZOO/200/52/310-313Rathbun, [Richard] 
DF/ZOO/200/51/255-256Ashmead, William H 
DF/ZOO/200/52/162Barber, [Herbert Spencer] 
DF/TM/1/39/15Correspondence T: Trimen; True; Trubner; Tschapek; Tsczusi zu Schmidhoffen 
DF/TR/1/1/31/487Richmond, [Charles] [Wallace] 
DF/TR/1/1/31/613United States National Museum 
WP/16/2/47Letter, draft or copy in William Greenell Wallace's hand to T K Penniman, Curator, Pitt Rivers Museum, University of Oxford, from William Greenell Wallace, Bournemouth, 
WP/7/76'The Method of Organic Evolution' 
DF/PAL/124/3/8Brunton, Charles Howard Campbell: correspondence with Rex Doescher  
WP/6/6/8Papers re Studies Scientific and Social 
WP/6/6/9Papers re Studies Scientific and Social 
DF/PAL/124/3/10Brunton, Charles Howard Campbell: research visit to the Smithsonian Institution 
DF/ZOO/232/2/3Lydekker, Richard: correspondence, 1899-1913 
DF/ZOO/232/9/26Mammals Section: General Correspondence 1912-April 1913 
DF/DIR/933/1/5/5Smithsonian Institution 
DF/DIR/933Director's Subject Files 
DF/ZOO/261/3/51Smithsonian Institute 
DF/ZOO/261/3/5Bassler, Professor RS 
DF/ZOO/261/3/7Boardman, RS 
DF/ZOO/202/1'Miscellaneous documents': letters, lists, memoranda and reports relating to the work of the department, gathered by Dr A Günther 
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