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Happy Friday the 13th! Here’s to embracing the strange and find a bit of fascination in the unexpected, much like this image from James McNeill Whistler’s "The Portfolio" (1880) featuring a lion and unicorn engaged in a chess game.
📖: Whistler, James McNeill,. "The Portfolio" 1880. London: Seeley,Jackson and Halliday. Access the full book via https://s.si.edu/3B9cdgY
Our shared future looks brighter than ever with this incredible campaign. Here’s to making a difference and achieving great things together!
What is the most diverse group of animals on the planet? The answer might surprise you! Get ready to find out by visiting our newest exhibit - coming soon to the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History.
📽️ Make Lunch Plans! 🎥
Join us next Monday, September 16 at 12pm EDT for the Zoom webinar AVMPI Presents: STR-Eames! Explore the world of Ray and Charles Eames with rare film clips and a special screening of the newly preserved short film The Black Ships (1970), showcasing a pivotal moment in U.S. history.
Don’t miss this lunchtime dive into mid-century design and filmmaking! Register here: https://s.si.edu/4eaKOcM
🦠🦠 Beetlejuice! Beetlejuice! Beetlejuice! 🦠🦠
No need to call out his name three times—our beetles are already here! Dive into the world of beetles with images straight from our Biodiversity Heritage Library collection. Forget the ghostly antics and check out these fascinating critters that are far more interesting than any film character.
Images from our Biodiversity Heritage Library collection:
🐞 "Edinburgh journal of natural history and of the physical sciences, with the Animal kingdom of the Baron Cuvier" by Cuvier, Georges, baron, 1769-1832 and MacGillivray, William, 1796-1852. Contributed by Harvard University, Museum of Comparative Zoology, Ernst Mayr Library.
🐞 "Traité élémentaire d'entomologie comprenant l'histoire des espèces utiles et de leurs produits des espèces nuisibles et des moyens de les détruire, l'étude des métamorphoses et des moeurs, les procéd…", by Girard, Maurice, 1822-1886.
🐞 "Tijdschrift voor entomologie", by Nederlandse Entomologische Vereniging, 1863-1864.
🏈🎉 Football season is back, and we're kicking things off with a vintage vibe! Check out this 1908 gem titled "Putting an American Team Through Signal Practice."
From old-school drills to today’s high-energy plays, football’s always been about teamwork and strategy. Let’s gear up for another season of thrilling tackles and epic touchdowns - Game on!
📸 : “Putting an American team through signal practice”, Physical Culture, 1980
Can you believe it? Summer is officially winding down, it is back-to-school time already, the holidays are just around the corner, and 2024 is almost in the rearview mirror!
Just like this crowned crane, we’re all looking a bit surprised and shocked by how fast it’s all happening! Here’s to juggling new routines, holiday prep, and the ever-speeding calendar. Let’s make the most of these last few months!
📸 : Crowned Crane from “The Bird: Its Form and Function” by C William Beebe, 1906
✈️ Flying into Labor Day weekend! Whether you’re jetting off for an epic escape or just cruising into chill mode, here’s to a weekend bursting with adventure, relaxation, and a shower of daisy-dropped delight!
📸 : Songbook cover, “Since Katy the Waitress: Became an Aviatress” by Irving Bibo, 1919
⏳📚 Time is running out to visit the "Nature of the Book" exhibit at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History!
Dive into the captivating world of early handmade books before it closes on Tuesday, September 3. Don’t let the clock run out on this unique experience—make your way over and explore before it's too late!
🎪When your weather forecast looks like it’s straight out of a circus act! 🤡
From sunshine to tornado warnings to fall temps, DC’s weather has been putting on quite the show lately. And guess what? The temps are back up again! Stay cool, stay prepared, and don’t let the climate clown around.
📸 : Image by Richard K Hofmeister, Featured in the “Torch”, August 1977 from our Smithsonian Institution Archives collection
Very demure. Very mindful. Embrace the past with a nod to the present. These circa 1800s looks were rocking the original ‘cool, calm, and collected’ vibes! Who knew that demure and mindful was always in fashion? Let’s take a page from their book and keep it classy while keeping it real.
📸 : From our Smithsonian Institution Archives collection
🎉 Exciting News! Our incredible AVMPI team has done it again! 🎉 We are thrilled to announce that we have been awarded a National Film Preservation Foundation grant to preserve nine educational films from the legendary Karen Loveland, one of the most prolific American women filmmakers of the 20th century.
This achievement is a testament to the dedication and excellence of our team. We couldn’t be prouder of their hard work and commitment to preserving important pieces of our cultural heritage. Congratulations, team! 🌟👏
📸: Karen Loveland, Featured in TORCH, August 1985
Don't miss out! This is the last month of our "Nature of the Book" exhibit, closing Tuesday, September 3rd. Head over to Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History to explore and learn the fascinating history of the early handmade book. It's your last chance to see this incredible showcase!
We recently had the distinct pleasure of hosting The Library of Congress docents for an in-depth visit to our Nature of the Book exhibit, followed by a hands-on exploration of materials at the Cullman Library.
Their visit allowed us to showcase the intricate details of our exhibits and provide a behind-the-scenes look at our curated collections. It was a wonderful opportunity to connect with fellow professionals and share our passion for book history and preservation. Thank you to the docents for joining us and making this experience so memorable!
🌌🔭✨ Discover the Universe and Our Past! 📚🌠
We're excited to share a fascinating fusion of science and history with you! Operated by the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory in Cambridge, Mass., the world’s most powerful X-ray telescope, has released 25 stunning images of the cosmos to commemorate its 25th anniversary.
To celebrate this incredible achievement, we've paired these mesmerizing images with items from our vast collection that bear an uncanny resemblance.
Join us on this visual journey and let your imagination soar!
🌼 Amorphophallus Campanulatus from “Rumphia, Sive, Commentationes Botanicae Imprimis de Plantis Indiae Orientalis” by Carl Ludwig Blume, 1835 paired with The Cat’s Paw Nebula (NGC 6334), X-ray: NASA/SAO/CXC, Infrared: NASA/JPL-CalTech/Spitzer
🐚 Pearls from “A Popular Treatise on Gems: In Reference to Their Scientific Value” by Lewis Feuchtwanger, 1876 paired with the barred spiral galaxy NGC 6872, X-ray: NASA/CXC/SAO
☠️ Fossil from “A Monograph of the Fossil Reptilia of the Liassic Formations” by Richard Owen, 1861-1881 paired with the M16 (Eagle Nebula), a region of star formation known as the Pillars of Creation, X-ray: NASA/CXO/SAO
🐝 The Queen and Her Retunie from “The ABC and XYZ of Bee Culture” by Amos Ives, 1910 paired with the WR 124, a rare type of Wolf-Rayet star, X-ray: NASA/CXC/SAO, Infrared: NASA/ESA/CSA/STScI/Webb ERO Production Team
We remember activist, singer, songwriter, and scholar Dr. Bernice Johnson Reagon, who spent her lifetime using the power of music to fight for freedom and justice.
As a founding member of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee’s (SNCC) Freedom Singers in 1962, Reagon performed across the country, raising funds for the Civil Rights Movement. In addition to recording several solo albums (some with our Smithsonian Folkways Recordings), she founded the Grammy-nominated all-Black women’s a ca****la group Sweet Honey in the Rock in 1973.
As a curator and historian at the Smithsonian, Reagon explored how Black music fueled movements for change. In 1974, she joined the Smithsonian’s Division of Performing Arts, where she was instrumental in establishing the African Diaspora program and recruiting Black artists to participate in the Smithsonian Folklife Festival. Two years later, she founded the Program in Black American Culture at our National Museum of American History. Reagon continued her work as curator emeritus and helped shape our Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture as a member of the museum’s Scholarly Advisory Committee.
“Bernice’s fierce intellect was only matched by her fierce sense of justice she applied to the struggle for civil rights,” said Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie G. Bunch III. “As a member of the NMAAHC Scholarly Advisory Council, her wisdom was invaluable in creating the intellectual framework of the museum. Her lyrics and music lift my spirits and embody her lifelong work to challenge America to live up to its ideals: ‘We who believe in freedom will not rest until it comes.’”
We will miss Dr. Reagon and send our heartfelt condolences to her family and community.
📷 : Photograph by Dane A. Penland, 1981, from our Smithsonian Libraries and Archives.
Escape to a postcard-perfect paradise... from the comfort of your sweltering living room.
These dreamy beach postcards from our Smithsonian Institution Archives collection are here to save the day! Check out these sandy shores and ocean waves, reminding us that somewhere out there, it's a perfect 75°F with a gentle breeze.
1. "Beach Scene" (c. 1916-1920), Edward Potthast
2."Sunny Blue Sea" (1913), also known as "The South Ledges, Appledore", Childe Hassam
3. "Beach at Gloucester" (c. 1912-1914), Maurice Prendergast
Stay cool! And if all else fails, at least our imaginations can take a tropical vacation!
Join Hirshhorn Head Librarian, Jacqueline Protka, for a special archival deep dive on Friday, May 31, 12-1pm.
Learn more about this free Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden gallery experience with Smithsonian Libraries and Archives!
Whether virtual or in-person, there is something for everyone across education. Register today!
https://s.si.edu/EducationSummit2024
Join us for the education event of the summer! 🎉
The 2024 Smithsonian National Education Summit is a free three day conference unlike any other, featuring Smithsonian educators from over 22 museums, research centers, and the National Zoo, in an exciting session line-up.
With a blend of both virtual livestreamed and prerecorded sessions, as well as in-person programming in the heart of Washington, D.C. on July 16-18, there is something for everyone across the education ecosystem. Registration is free, with some sessions at limited capacity.
For more information and to register today, visit https://s.si.edu/EducationSummit2024
🎬 Lights, camera, action! 🎥 Our AVMPI team is busy winning awards, co-founding committees, and hosting workshops. The mission? Simple: keep the magic of motion picture film alive and rolling.
From uncovering the secrets of film formats to mastering the art of projection, we're all about sharing the love for cinematic wonders. But there’s so much more we want to do! Join us in our mission to keep the magic of movies alive by donating at https://library.si.edu/donate
Slideshow highlights a two-day film projection workshop in collaboration with National Gallery of Art and Chicago Film Society which focused on the historical development of motion picture film formats, proper care and handling of film prints, and the delicate intricacies of expert projection and film showpersonship.
📸 Photo Credit: Emily Francisco
🎥 🎞️ Our Audio-Visual Media Preservation Initiative (AVMPI) is a vital lifeline for safeguarding the diverse tapestry of human experience captured in audio-visual collections. 🎞️🎥
Join us in our mission to preserve our cultural legacy for future generations. Your donation to AVMPI will help us catalog, preserve, and digitize these treasures, ensuring they're accessible to all and not lost to time. Every contribution counts! Donate today at: https://library.si.edu/donate/make-a-donation
🙌 🎉 👏 🏆Big News!! SLA takes the win at The Association of Research Libraries (ARL) ARLies Film Festival Award in the Best Research Film category for “Introducing the Audio-Visual Media Preservation Initiative”. 🙌 🎉 👏 🏆
This award is a tremendous honor bestowed upon us by our peers in the research libraries and archives community. The competition was stiff, but in the end our expertise, dedication, and excellence brought it home. Major shout out to Alison and the AVMPI team for their stellar work!
Today we remember Nancy Gwinn, who served as the Director of Smithsonian Institution Libraries for 22 years, from 1997 until her retirement as Director Emerita in 2019.
During her almost three decades with the Smithsonian, Nancy brought the Libraries to a new level of activity and recognition, expanding to include 21 branches that incorporate new services and technologies.
Tamar Evangelestia-Dougherty, Nancy’s successor as Director of the Expanded Smithsonian Libraries and Archives, remembers her with warmth, “When I was appointed Director of SLA in 2021, Nancy was one of the first to congratulate me and spoke fondly of the staff, SLA advisory board and the wonderful memories she had as director…[Nancy’s] love for the libraries was steadfast and served as an inspiration for so much of her life. I believe I can say without reservation that even in retirement, Nancy’s heart was always closely connected and committed to the libraries she knew and loved. I am just as certain that in this transition to end of physical life, Nancy’s enduring spirit, and legacy will remain closely connected and committed.”
Nancy Gwinn bequeathed to the Smithsonian a great museum research library system—the world's largest. We continue to benefit from Nancy’s service and advocacy with the culture she created of passion, dedication and reverence for all things library, all things Smithsonian.
It's ! We're not just passionate about our collections; we're dedicated to safeguarding them for future generations.
Step behind the scenes with us and learn how we shield our collections from the harmful effects of light exposure.
💐 Celebrating 100 Years of Adelia Sarah Gates’ Botanical Legacy! 💐
Today marks a century since the press release of Gates’ exhibition, yet her inspiration continues to bloom... As part of ongoing research into Gates’ materials and methods, our senior conservator and intern recently undertook technical studies, painting directly from living collections in Smithsonian Gardens “Future of Orchids" exhibit.
Images:
1. Lycaste lemonni or Maxilleria [Mapillaria?], Adelia Sarah Gates, undated, circa 1896-97
2. Photograph of Lycaste virginalis at Smithsonian Gardens with hand painted image by Nora Lockshin
3. Cultivated orchid, Adelia Sarah Gates, undated
4. Photograph of Lycaste virginalis at Smithsonian Gardens
Let’s keep her passion alive as we explore the past, present, and future of botanical art. Share your own botanical illustrations and let’s keep the tradition thriving!
For the Swifties singing “like who uses typewriters anyway?”…. Hemingway for one! Also Mark Twain, J.R.R. Tolkien, Jack Kerouac, David Sedaris, Sylvia Plath, George Orwell, J.D. Salinger, Margaret Atwood, John Steinbe
ck, and Virginia Woolf.
For many writers, the typewriter transcended mere functionality evolving into a talisman imbued with profound significance for their craft – a companion in the solitary journey of creation.
Typewriters through the years:
1. Hammond Typewriter Company, New York, New York, 1884-1927 from the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian collection
2. The Printable Oliver, 646692. The Oliver Standard Visible Writer No. 9, 1916 from the Smithsonian American History Museum collection
3. Hermes Baby Rocket Typewriter, 1966 from the Smithsonian American History Museum collection
4. Typewriter Exhibit, Arts and Industries Building. (1948)
5. Advertisement of “everybody’s Typewriter” from The Oölogist for the student of birds, their nests and eggs. (1889-1890)
📚💍🌹 Love is blooming in the Botany and Horticulture Library! While our librarians are accustomed to receiving all sorts of requests, we recently had the most extraordinary one yet! 📚💍🌹
Librarian Robin crafted a special exhibit within the library, but this wasn’t just any exhibit – it was staged for a perfect proposal. There, nestled among the botanical treasures, was a book unlike any other – their own love story, immortalized in print and images. As Fabio guided Christiana through the pages of knowledge, we watched a love story unfold. Congratulations to Fabio and Christiana!! Thank you for allowing us to share in your story. ❤️
We believe in the power of stories – not only those found within the pages of our collections, but also the stories that unfold within our walls. Love and libraries share a common thread, weaving tales of connection, discovery, and endless possibilities.
Join us in celebrating the magic of love and libraries!
Photo credit: Rgspark Photography
Join us for ! Did you know that much like the diverse species of orchids our libraries come in all shapes and sizes, each blooming with knowledge?
From the rare and exotic to the common and beloved, orchids represent a stunning array of colors, shapes, and scents. Similarly, our libraries and archives span the spectrum, catering to diverse interests, disciplines, and communities.
We are highlighting orchids from our diverse collections:
1. Cyprupedium Alfred Bleu, Biodiversity Heritage Library (1829-1974)
2. Odontoglossum Blunti, Flore des serres et des jardins de l'Europe: Annales generales d'horticulture (1845-1880)
3. Flowering Orchids, Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (1987)
Want to see orchids in person? Visit the Smithsonian Gardens exhibition "Future of Orchids:Conservation and Collaboration.
may be ending today, but did you know our collection isn’t confined – it’s available at your fingerprints! Check out our digital library at https://librariesarchives.si.edu/digital-collections/ to view over 35,000 digitized books and manuscripts.
For us, digitization is not just adapting and being innovative, but it is integral to revolutionizing research methodology, fostering collaboration, ensuring our collection is accessible to all, and being part of a global library community.
Take a sneak peek at our secure Herndon Center in VA. The data center holds our entire digital collection and is the "home" of our completely digital Biodiversity Heritage Library - making it a place of boundless possibilities, the doorway to new avenues for exploration, and how we commit to preserving and sharing knowledge for generations to come.
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🎬 Lights, camera, action! 🎥 Our AVMPI team is busy winning awards, co-founding committees, and hosting workshops. The mission? Simple: keep the magic of motion picture film alive and rolling. From uncovering the secrets of film formats to mastering the art of projection, we're all about sharing the love for cinematic wonders. But there’s so much more we want to do! Join us in our mission to keep the magic of movies alive by donating at https://library.si.edu/donate Slideshow highlights a two-day film projection workshop in collaboration with National Gallery of Art and Chicago Film Society which focused on the historical development of motion picture film formats, proper care and handling of film prints, and the delicate intricacies of expert projection and film showpersonship. #PreserveOurLegacy #PreserveCinema #LightsCameraAction #FilmMagic #FederalProjectionSociety #DonateToAVMPI #SupportOurMission #RecordingSavedStoryRediscovered 📸 Photo Credit: Emily Francisco
🎥 🎞️ Our Audio-Visual Media Preservation Initiative (AVMPI) is a vital lifeline for safeguarding the diverse tapestry of human experience captured in audio-visual collections. 🎞️🎥 Join us in our mission to preserve our cultural legacy for future generations. Your donation to AVMPI will help us catalog, preserve, and digitize these treasures, ensuring they're accessible to all and not lost to time. Every contribution counts! Donate today at: https://library.si.edu/donate/make-a-donation #PreserveOurLegacy #DonateToAVMPI #CulturalHeritage #SupportOurMission #DiversityInMedia #RecordingSavedStoryRediscovered
It's #PreservationWeek! We're not just passionate about our collections; we're dedicated to safeguarding them for future generations. Step behind the scenes with us and learn how we shield our collections from the harmful effects of light exposure. #ProtectOurPast #BehindTheScenes #PreservationEfforts
Leap into Pop-Up Magic! Just like this rare week with an extra day on our calendar, pop-up books add an extra dimension of magic to storytelling, bringing characters and scenes to life with every turn of the page. Here’s to pop-up adventures and the discovering the magic of “Paper Engineering: Fold, Pull, Pop & Turn” at https://library.si.edu/digital-library/exhibition/paper-engineering
How's California Rare Book School at Smithsonian Libraries and Archives going? Unbeatable! Last night, participants were treated to a demonstration of traditional Korean papermaking techniques by artist Aimee Lee.
🎆 They’re not fireworks but they are red, white, and blue and made us go “Oooh!” when we saw them. These yarn samples were included in the “Journal of the Society of Dyers and Colourists” in 1898.
We hope something beautiful unfolds for you this week. “Plantarum rariorum horti caesari schoenbrunnensis” by Nikolaus Joseph Jacquin Published from 1797-1804, describing plants cultivated in the royal garden at the Palace of Schönbrunn near Vienna. This candelabra flower is one of 400 delicately illustrated plants. The book is from our collection in the Joseph F. Cullman 3rd Library of Natural History.
“Koetsu utaibon hyakuban” was published in Japan during the Edo period. The book’s subtle pearlescent finish comes from the ground mineral muscovite—also known as mica—applied to the surface. The interior pages are decorated with mica as well. “Koetsu utaibon hyakuban” is featured in our #NatureOfTheBook exhibit, on view in Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History Check it out! https://s.si.edu/3WS2KB3
Yep, we're hiring again! Do you know your way around digital imaging hardware and software? Have basic knowledge of library and archival cataloging standards? Join our digitization team! Two Trust positions available: https://www.usajobs.gov/job/725292500
🚨JOB ALERT! We're hiring catalogers!🚨 Multiple positions now open in Resource Description. GS 9/11 ($64,957 - $84,441). Apply by 5/19: https://www.usajobs.gov/job/724149300
Channeling Fancy Boar 🐗 energy today. “The Animal Spring” by Yto Barrada and Julie Klear is a set of 45 whimsical flashcards in four languages. Each card features an animal found in Morocco, illustrated with bold patterns and assigned adorable names. From our @smithsonian_africanart Library.
This 16th century botany book in our Joseph F. Cullman 3rd Library of Natural History has early blind-stamped pigskin and intact metal clasps. It was gifted to the collection by Smithsonian zoologist Dr. Frederick Bayer. Want to see inside? Flip through a copy from Missouri Botanical Garden in the Biodiversity Heritage Library: s.si.edu/3MDPf5v
We hope you'll choo-choo-choose to join us for next week's free, virtual program, "AVMPI Presents: The View from Her". We'll be screening some fab film clips by women, like Karen Loveland who produced this clip which is now in Smithsonian Institution Archives collections. March 15th @ 6 pm ET: s.si.edu/avmpi-whm #SmithsonianWHM
Can't get enough museum library love? Join us on Instagram where we're celebrating #MuseumLibraryWeek this week with the Thomas J. Watson Library! Pop over and make sure you're following @SILibraries & @metlibrary!
📺Tune in for something a little different next week! AVMPI Presents A Zoom With a View: Tuesday, 1/17 at 6 pm ET. We'll premiere video clips from our Audiovisual Media Preservation Initiative & meet media experts from across Smithsonian. We'll see gems from National Museum of American History, like this commercial for Dumont Televisions. Plus, staff & clips from: 🔹Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture 🔹Smithsonian Institution Archives 🔹Smithsonian Folklife Details & registration: https://s.si.edu/3YZXQmG
📣 Calling all middle school teachers! Want to test a free, interactive, library & museum-based resource? Our new Traveling Trunk will focus on Latin American history for your students! ✉️ Email [email protected] to apply! ℹ️ Learn more about our Traveling Trunks program: https://s.si.edu/3ES2nyp
If you're dragon into the workweek, maybe these manga illustrations will fire you up. They're by famed Edo period artist Hokusai, born #OTD in 1760. From "Hokusai manga" 北齋漫畵 in our Smithsonian National Museum of Asian Art Library: https://s.si.edu/3DIWapa
Every recording saved is a story rediscovered. Smithsonian is home to significant a/v collections, subject to degradation. Our Audiovisual Media Preservation Initiative will help preserve, digitize, and provide access to these materials. Learn more on our blog: https://s.si.edu/3Tk9TYk
In honor of American Archives Month, we're sharing some words of wisdom for aspiring archivists from our Smithsonian Institution Archives staff. On our blog, find a great overview of what an archivist does, what employers are looking for, and what students can focus on now to prepare for the job market: https://s.si.edu/3EsBu1Y
🚲 Are you ready to roll into the long holiday weekend? Original image from "The Referee & cycle trade journal", available in our Digital Library: https://s.si.edu/2WSLHAT
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