Smithsonian Libraries and Archives

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Introducing the #FunnList

A new campaign from Smithsonian Institution Archives highlights the contributions of Black women in science at the Smithsonian

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Introducing the Audiovisual Media Preservation Initiative

A new initiative will support care and access for the Smithsonian's audio, video, and film collections

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Exploring Our Institution’s History With "Smithson to Smithsonian"

Celebrate over 175 years of history with the newly launched digital exhibition, "Smithson to Smithsonian"

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Mark Your Calendars for the Smithsonian's Upcoming National Education Summit

The free, two-day, online and in-person program offers unique opportunities for educators, librarians, media specialists and policymakers nationwide

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Exploring the Origins of the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center

The Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center is celebrating its 25th anniversary year. We dig into our records at Smithsonian Institution Archives to trace the center's origins and highlight some of its early leaders in honor of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month.

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Meet Serena Katherine “Violet” Dandridge, Suffragist and Scientific Illustrator

The history of Violet Dandridge’s investment in her work as a scientific illustrator and a suffragist, told in her own words, helps us construct a more complete picture of what it meant to many women to pursue careers and basic rights in the early twentieth century.

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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.

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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.

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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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Women at Work at the Smithsonian and Beyond

Join Smithsonian Libraries and Archives for a special program on February 15th. We'll explore lesser-known histories of women at the Smithsonian and discuss current issues with leading women in STEAM.

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100 Women in Science in Smithsonian History

We recently added Wikidata profiles about 100 women in science, and we need your help to write and strengthen their Wikipedia articles! Join us for our edit-a-thon January 20th at 1 p.m. ET to learn more about these women in science in Smithsonian history. Beginners and experts are welcome.

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Tichkematse, a Great Favorite at the Smithsonian

A forerunner of today’s efforts to decolonize and Indigenize American museums, Tichkematse was one of the first Native American employees at the Smithsonian Institution. His work with natural history and anthropological collections continues to inspire Native and non-Native museum professionals nearly 150 years later.

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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.

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Some Archival Career Advice

We receive dozens of inquiries every year from students and recent graduates about the archives. In honor of American Archives Month, archivist Jennifer Wright answers a few of the most commonly-asked questions.

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Introducing New Information Literacy Collections in Learning Lab

Smithsonian Libraries and Archives launches a new series of interactive, online collections focused on information literacy. This set, available in Smithsonian Learning Lab, is dedicated to helping users think critically about how they identify, find, evaluate, and use information effectively.

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Tune in for the Smithsonian 175th Film Fest

Grab your popcorn! To mark the Smithsonian’s 175th anniversary this year, the Smithsonian Libraries and Archives will host monthly virtual programs featuring films from the collections of the Smithsonian Institution Archives. Register today.

The first page of the Hungerford Deed, 1787, Smithsonian Institution Archives, Acc. 19-150. (Smithsonian Institution Archives)

The Property Contract that Sheds New Light on James Smithson's Gift to the Smithsonian

The Hungerford Deed, a 1787 property contract donated to the Smithsonian Institution Archives in 2019, offers a unique glimpse at the family dynamics that shaped James Smithson into our founding donor. An upcoming web exhibition and program provide opportunities to learn more about this intriguing document.

James Eike’s field book entry for April 6, 1971; his 31st Anniversary. (Record Unit 7342 – James W. Eike Papers, 1927, 1950-1983, Box 1, Folder 8, Smithsonian Institution Archives.)

Falling for Field Books

Bird lover and citizen scientist James W. Eike (1911-1983) documented birds near his home in northern Virginia. His personal notes, demonstrating his love of both birds and his family, make his field books a joy to explore.

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Intriguing Items from the Smithsonian Libraries and Archives’ Adopt-a-Book Program

Smithsonian Libraries and Archives highlights five fascinating collection items and shares how you can support them.

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