Smithsonian Libraries and Archives

AaB Save the Date.png

Join Smithsonian Libraries and Archives for Adopt-a-Book Salons

The Smithsonian Libraries and Archives' Adopt-a-Book Salons offer a chance to take a closer look at our collections and the opportunity to support their preservation and acquisition. William Bennett previews one intriguing item that will be available.

H.-Twelvetree-Twelvetrees-Washing-Pamphlet-header.jpg

Mid-19th Century Reactions to a Laundry Invention

This mid-19th century advertising circular proposes a new idea for doing laundry. What it lacks in detailed description, it makes up for with powerful testimonials.

PXL_20211221_185612086-scaled.jpeg

Turning a Quarantine Into a Journey With Xavier de Maistre

Two years ago, we all got better acquainted with our domestic surroundings. “Journey Round My Room” was first written by Xavier de Maistre in the 18th century. A recently acquired 2007 edition includes photos and a specially crafted box by Ross Anderson. The end result is a beautiful artist's book that turns a quarantine into an exploration.

Screeshot Volume 4.png

Exploring the Travel Diaries of Gilded Age Girls Sarah and Eleanor Hewitt

Sisters Sarah and Eleanor Hewitt founded the Cooper Union Museum for the Arts of Decoration, which would later become Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum. These Gilded Age sisters traveled extensively, documenting their journeys in a series of journals. Recently digitized, a few of the diaries are now available for you to read and transcribe from home.

Fannie Farmer Pies (2).jpg

Fannie Farmer Knew Her Pies

Fannie Farmer joined the staff of the Boston Cooking School shortly after graduating. Just 2 years later, she became its principal. Her "The Boston Cooking-School Cook Book" is a classic, combining recipes and simplified science. Plus, a whole chapter on pies

SIA-OPA-90-header.jpg

Meet the Bamboo Expert Who Rediscovered a Missing Grass

Grass expert Dr. Cleofé E. Calderón worked with the Smithsonian for most of her career. She collected species, published descriptions of rare and unusual plants, and led workshops that helped shape the field of bamboo taxonomy. She also rediscovered a rare grass species not seen by scientists for nearly a century.

Categories
Archive