Nov
07

November 7, 1966

Congress accepts Joseph H. Hirshhorn’s gift of his art collection, authorizes a site for the construction of the museum, and provides statutory authority for the appropriation of construction and operating funds. The gift includes nearly 5,000 paintings and drawings, more than 1,500 pieces of sculpture, and $1 million for future acquisitions. President Lyndon B. Johnson approves legislation to establish the Joseph H. Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden. The act contained a ceiling of $15 million authorized to be appropriated for planning and constructing the Museum and Sculpture Garden.

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Posted: 7 November 2010
About the Author:

Alex di Giovanni is primarily responsible for "other duties as assigned" in the Office of Communications and External Affairs. She has been with the Smithsonian since 2006 and plans to be interred in the Smithson crypt.