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Smithsonian Libraries and Archives

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How Artistic Traditions and Natural Materials Combined to Form the Modern Book

Artistry from the Middle East and raw goods traded through European ports both had a profound influence on the style of the modern bound book

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New Exhibit Uncovers the Raw Materials of Rare Books

Explore the natural elements of centuries-old books with upcoming exhibition and online program

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Meet the Wildflower Artist Who Was a Smithsonian Champion

New book and upcoming program highlight work of artist and naturalist Mary Vaux Walcott

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New Comic Honors Civil Rights Singer Bernice Johnson Reagon on Her 80th Birthday

An educational comic celebrates the life and work of scholar, singer, and activist

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Learn How We’re Expanding the Smithsonian’s Story on August 31

Free virtual event highlights projects that restore and amplify cultural heritage from historically marginalized communities

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The Long Life of a Dead Rhinoceros

How did one exaggerated armored rhino influence European illustration for centuries? Trace the artistic origins from Albrecht Dürer to Conrad Gessner and beyond, with images from Smithsonian Libraries and Archives.

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A 19th-Century Encyclopedia Gets a Modern Makeover

"Iconographic Encyclopaedia of Science, Literature, and Art" was translated and updated by Spencer Baird, a man who would become the Smithsonian's second Secretary. Much like our very own Institution, it covered topics from art to zoology. Today, a new digital edition helps brings its knowledge to 21st-century viewers.

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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.

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Conserving and Digitizing the Hewitt Sisters' Diaries

Earlier this week, Smithsonian Libraries and Archives launched a new Smithsonian Transcription Center project to transcribe the diaries of Sarah and Eleanor Hewitt. Curious how these well-loved diaries made their way from our library shelf to your computer screen? Conservation and digitization staff describe the work that goes on behind-the-scenes to make these volumes available:

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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.

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Here’s Your Chance to Color in Smithsonian Libraries and Archives Collections

Pulling from digitized collections, Smithsonian Libraries and Archives has just released ten free, downloadable coloring pages as part of the Color Our Collections campaign. Whether you want to bring polychromatic glory to old black-and-white photos or scribble in vintage fashion plates, you’ll find a little something for everyone in this new packet.

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Significant Collection of Arion Press Publications Comes to Smithsonian Libraries and Archives

Thanks to a generous gift, over a hundred titles from Arion Press will soon be added to the American Art and Portrait Gallery Library. With the gift, the Smithsonian Libraries and Archives has one of the most complete public collections of Arion’s work in the Washington D.C. area.

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Georgia O'Keeffe's Room That Could Have Been

Artist Georgia O’Keeffe had a friendly relationship with Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden founding donor Joseph Hirshhorn. Recently digitized letters reveal how the two almost negotiated a deal to create a room at the museum dedicated to her work.

Crimilda Pontes created several designs for the James Smithson Bicentennial in 1965, including what would become the Institution's signature sunburst. (Smithsonian Archives, Acc. 89-024, Box 4., Smithsonian Institution Archives)

The Surprising Story of the Smithsonian Sunburst

Crimilda Pontes was the Smithsonian’s first official graphic designer and the designer of the Smithsonian’s iconic sunburst symbol.

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