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| The National Museum of African Art. |
Did you know that the biggest museum complex in the U.S. (and, actually, the world!) – the museum complex that offers more than 137 million items in its collections, housed in gorgeous buildings, at no admission charge – was begun with a bequest from someone that had never even stepped foot on U.S. soil?
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| I particularly love the architecture of National Museum of the American Indian. |
British
scientist James Smithson died in Italy in 1829. He left his fortune
to his only nephew, but his will stated that, if his nephew died
without any heirs, he wanted his money to go to the United States of
America “to found at Washington...an Establishment for the increase
and diffusion of knowledge.”
And,
indeed, that nephew did die without heirs, in 1835, and President
Andrew Jackson sent an agent to England to bring back the
fortune—about half a million dollars. Unfortunately, Congress put
the money in state bonds that defaulted. Former president John Quincy
Adams talked long and hard but finally convinced Congress to replace
the money and create an institute of science and learning, as
Smithson requested.
On
this date in 1846, the act creating the Smithsonian Institution was
signed into law by President James Polk.
The
best thing to do today is to actually go to Washington, D.C., and
tour a museum or two. But most of us can't do that. Next best thing:
- Take a virtual tour of the National Museum of Natural History.
- Browse through David Coleman's photos of the National Air and Space Museum.
- Take a peek at the exhibitions from the National Museum of American History.
- And finally, check out the official Smithsonian website.
Also
on this date:
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